Pastors' Corner

The November calendar brings to our attention a couple of important events for us, Veterans Day and later in the month, Thanksgiving. This past week I was reminded why it is important for us citizens to remember with great thanksgiving the service and sacrifices our current military service members and veterans of the military have given. I have always been a grateful citizen in regards to those who serve us in our armed forces and other public safety services. Why we as citizens need to be ready to extend our thanks and respect to those who serve was brought to my attention this past week. We were on the beginning leg of a quick trip to our daughter and son in law’s home in southern California when we had a conversation with an Army veteran in the waiting area at the airport. In our conversation we found out he was a Vietnam veteran, having served two tours as an Army soldier in that conflict. (Did I mention that our son in law is currently serving with the US Marine Corps and that another family sitting with us at the airport waiting area was on their way to San Diego for the Marine Corps basic training graduation ceremony for their son?) My wife said to the Army veteran that her brother was also a Vietnam veteran who served more than one tour there with US Marines. We thanked this veteran for his service. He appreciated that. Recalling that time in his life he noted that not too many were all that thankful for our soldiers when he came home from Vietnam. His experience was not yellow ribbons and cheering citizens, it was jeering protestors and mustard sprayed on his green Army dress jacket!

There is certainly much to be discussed and analyzed in terms of the history and politics of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. To say the least, the nation was very much in the midst of an unsettled time. In the fog of all that angst, soldiers in uniform were a target for political protestors of the time. The general mood of the nation towards its citizens who serve in the military today is thankfully positive. The army veteran we spoke with at the airport still remembers vividly not only his combat experiences, but also a “welcome” party of flying mustard. We cannot change the events of the past but as we approach this year’s Veteran’s Day remembrances we can reflect our thanks to those who serve. It would be good for all of us who call ourselves citizens of this United States of America to reflect deeply and seriously about the service and sacrifice given by those who serve us as the nation calls and sends them. In my own circle of family and friends I count a minimum of seventeen family members and friends who are currently in the armed forces or who have served. A couple of those in that number were career military officers. I suspect that many of you reading this may also have a significant number of people who you too could count.

The important ethic for life in all this is the aspect of our looking out beyond ourselves. This is not only a good and helpful way of living in society it is also for Christians a foundational teaching of being a follower of Jesus Christ. When Jesus was asked by a lawyer/scribe of his day as to which commandment is the greatest, he responded with the statement that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And he continued, a second is like it, to love your neighbor as yourself. People of faith do not always agree on every political issue, but one thing people of Christian faith can agree on is that we reach out to others with the love of Christ! Throwing mustard on a returning soldier is probably not a way to do that! In these coming weeks as we remember the service of our veterans and those who serve currently, and as we count our blessings in thanksgiving, let us be a people who reflect in their words and deeds the love of God that is given to us through Christ Jesus. In these coming days thank a veteran, send a letter of thanks to a current soldier, and on our national Thanksgiving Day, truly count your blessings!