A Veterans' Day Prayer

     This morning at 11:00 am our local VFW Post hosted a Veterans' Day event which they invited me to share in.  I had the honor of giving the invocation.  I thought I might share what I said with you as this Veterans' Day comes to a close.

     Good and gracious God,

we call upon your name and your love

as we gather to honor and remember

the service of so many men and women

on this Veterans' Day.

We read in scripture that

there is no greater love than to lay down

ones life for another.

Those we honor today

gave their service to the cause of peace

by placing themselves in service to others,

and in so many cases, literally,

they gave the last full measure of devotion.

For their service we are grateful ...

In their example we are inspired ...

By their sacrifice we are blessed ...

and through them the cause of peace is enhanced

and the greatness of this nation is recognized.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

originally marked the end of

"the war to end all wars."

If only that would have been the case.

But the cause of peace

is one of the noblest goals for nations ...

and those who serve that cause

are good stewards of the virtues and values

entrusted to this great nation.

May our celebration here today

reflect our admiration and respect

for our veterans.

Amen.