Veteran’s Day 2019

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Today is Veteran’s Day 2019. We celebrated with some of our veterans in worship yesterday. We also honored one of our veterans – Richard Reynnells – by giving him a flag that flew over our church in 2019. He was surprised to be so honored. We have honored veterans at First Church for many years.

If ever there were a Scripture that spoke to the American soldier – I believe today’s passage is the one. Whether they were drafted or volunteered – men and women of our armed forces have put their lives on the line for God and Country. Whether they served at home or abroad – during peacetime or a time of war – they were our defense – our shield. They trained to be able to serve and protect. Freedom is not free – it is very expensive. At times – it cost way more than money. At times – it costs the lives or health of those who stand in the gap for us – around the world.

I’m in my home office today – because today is a day we close the office at church to honor Veteran’s Day. Today I will be remembering the many veterans in my life. Here is a list of some veterans I know – they are from our church and a small group of my friends and family.

Here are some of the veteran’s I’m thankful for today. Ray Abbott, Bud Bateman, Dale Boeckman, Artie Black, Sam Bolin, Clark Carr, William Carr, Tim Carte, David Clingerman, William Cooper, Ellen Cooper, Wayne Cotton, Tom Cosden, Robert Creek, John Deans (father), John Deans (son), Michael Donovan, Bill Ellenburg, Ron Feeser, Jesse Hess, Patti Hess, Russ Holloway, Rodney Hudson, Jody Jessup, Al Johnson, Brian Kilpatrick, Weldon Lincoln, Al MacDonald, Don Matney, Frank McDonald, Ramon McDonald, Wilbur McDonald (father), Wilbur McDonald (son), Ann Meixner, David Meixner, Brandon Miller, Roland Miller, Tom Miller, Lee Matousek, Jerry Nelson, Rick Pitonak, Robert Puryear Jr., Steven Noyes, Kyle Phillips, Ron Quarto, Bill Raines (father), Bill Raines (son), Richard Reynnells, Andy Rolle, Jerry Sears, Bill Sigler, Joe Sinnott, Shaun Smithson, Stephan Stankewich, George Stansbury, Brad Swank, Laudis Turney, Roger Vale, Jim Welsh, Michael Woodruff, Russ Wilson, and others.

If you’d like to honor others – please list their names in the comment section of this post. We owe them more than we could ever repay. Remember – freedom is not free – it takes the sacrifice of many!

Just something for us to think about today as we go on our way.