Andy Paris is the minister at the Delphi Christian Church Today, Nov. 11, marks a special day for us. It is Veterans Day, a day filled with sacred memories and heart-felt thanks for the millions of brave military men and women who have fought to keep our nation free from tyranny and oppression. Through the perils, toils, pain and slaughter of countless numbers of our finest fathers and sons, mothers and daughters we rejoice today in the liberty that is ours in America. As Lee Greenwood sings it, “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free; And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.”

What better poem expresses the feelings of free men and women in America today on Veterans Day than Rudyard Kipling’s Recessional “God of our fathers, known of old. Lord of our farflung battle-line, Beneath whose awful Hand we hold dominion over palm and pine—Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget— -lest we forget!”

Yes, we dare not forget our soldiers. They have served us, defended us, protected us and helped America to be the greatest nation in the world.

The origin of Veterans Day makes this day even more impressive. World War I ended officially at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, in the eleventh month. And to honor all those Americans who fought and even died in that “war to end all wars,” Veterans Day was originally called “Armistice Day” which began on Nov. 11, 1919. In 1921, also on Nov. 11, an unknown solder” from World War I was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and Washington, D. C. It has become the center of national reverence for all Americans. Armistice Day became a national holiday in 1938 by act of Congress.

Only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed a second World War broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans fought in it. Four hundred and seven thousand of them died in service and more than 292,000 died in battle.

So the nation turned to call Armistice Day by a new name and to celebrate the soldiers of other wars also. The first celebration of “Veterans Day” occurred in Birmingham, Ala. on Nov. 11, 1947. Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized it. Then in 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 be called “Veterans Day” to celebrate the soldiers of World War I and II.

As the years passed, Veterans Day has broadened its scope to include veterans who have fought in all our wars: Civil War, World Wars I-II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yes, we have much to be thankful for. God has richly blessed our country with brave soldiers who have kept America strong. Let us remember them today. May we pray, “God of the ages, we thank You for all who have served in the armed forces of this country. We thank You for the freedom their sacrifice has earned and guarded for us. Help us to prize this freedom and to use it well. We ask You to bless all living veterans in a special way today as well as the families of all veterans. Comfort those who grieve for those who gave the last full measure of devotion. Strengthen those who bear physical, emotional and spiritual wounds. We pray for the day when no one needs to serve in the military. Help us to live now in anticipation of that day as people who long for peace and pursue peace and pray for peace, who are Christ’s peacemakers.”