“Give Thanks - It’s Not Old Fashioned, It’s Called Respect!”

We are celebrating another of our “forgotten” holidays today, Veterans’ Day. I have not checked lately with young people in our schools, but I would be interested if they are still learning, 11-11-11; 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th Month.

Actually, it was 5:00 AM on 11-11-18 when an Armistice was signed by Germany and the Allies in the Forest of Compiegne which ended the hostilities of World War 1. In November of 1919, President Wilson made the following proclamation: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation.”

Congress passed a bill, which President Roosevelt signed, in 1938 establishing each November 11th as “Armistice Day.” It was that year that the “11-11-11” became a catch phrase for this holiday. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month all traffic was to stop in tribute to the dead soldiers of WWI, and volleys were to be fired and taps to be sounded in their honor. It wasn’t until May 24, 1954 that it officially became known as Veterans’ Day, to honor those who fought in all of our nation’s wars. I give credit for the above information to www.patriotism.org/veterans_day.

I remember when people still referred to Veterans’ Day as Armistice Day. That doesn’t mean I am getting old! It means I knew some delightful older people that perhaps you did not have the privilege of knowing. I remember men from the First World War, the Dough Boys who were called upon to fight in horrendous extremes.

I remember patriotism also. I can still see my Grandfather remove his hat at a parade when the flag passed by. He would also tip his hat when we passed a lady on the street. Do you not find it strange that at ball games today men and boys have to be asked to remove their hats for the national anthem? Today men and boys don’t even remove their hats when they enter a building, why do it for the Star Spangled Banner? It is not an old fashioned idea, it is called respect, something else that is forgotten!

We have come so very far away from where we once were.

Don’t ever forget that the liberty you enjoy today was paid for with a very costly price, the blood of other people! Yes my friend in a real sense others have died for you. Don’t disgrace a soldier when he comes home from service, thank him. Don’t dishonor the flag, take your hat off. Don’t go through life thinking that everything revolves around you, remember our history and be thankful.

I find the term Armistice interesting. It means truce. What ended the First World War was merely a truce. Perhaps that is the reason we had to fight the Second World War with the same Allies and the same Enemies. There is no victory without complete surrender.

And that is true in our lives as believers. When our Lord laid down His life, shedding His blood in our behalf, it wasn’t to cause a truce, it was to cause us to surrender and to gain victory over sin, death, and the grave! When we surrender to the finished work of Christ on the cross hostility from us to Him ceases and salvation takes over.

Give thanks for shed blood! Be thankful for those who shed their blood to ensure your freedoms, but above all, be thankful for the ONE who shed His blood to conquer your heart, the Lord Jesus Christ!

“Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.”

Have a wonderful day serving our Wonderful Lord, by Grace Alone!