Veteran’s Day

November 11, 2026

Today, we honor the living.

For decades, WWII has been significantly more prominent in our collective memory beyond the wars in Korea, Vietnam, and certainly WWI. But the First World War was catastrophic in its own right. In its wake, the Russian Empire, Ottoman Empire, and Austrian-Hapsburg Empire all collapsed. There were up to 45 million who died from the fighting and the Spanish Flu that spread in its aftermath. With less than 600 million people in Europe and the USA, the death count was incredibly high. Everybody knew somebody who had died or who had lost someone. Our nation joined many others in grieving, remembering, and honoring.

Different states began their own days of remembrance, but President Coolidge made it official, 100 years ago today. November 11 would be the day that we honor the Veterans, the living. Memorial Day is when we honor those who died in war. Veterans Day is when we honor those who served whether in war or in peace. If we do not have men and women who serve in peace, there would be much more war.

About 10 years ago Cathi and I, along with her parents, were in Fort Jackson, South Carolina to watch the closing ceremony of our daughter’s completion of boot camp. She was singled out to receive a particular commendation so we were invited to a small setting where the Commander of the Base talked to her and the others. But something else happened. He found out that my father-in-law had served in Korea years ago. At that moment, all eyes turned to him as the Commander gave him a special coin and we enjoyed the genuine honor that was given to him, spontaneously.

A few years later, our daughter would be in Afghanistan. She returned safely and with a flag in a frame for her grandfather. “This American flag was flown through the skies of Afghanistan on a combat mission aboard the legendary A-10C Warthog assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. OPERATION FREEDOM’S SENTINEL Flown in Honor of: Curt and June Wilson Thank You for your Service and Support!

I make it a habit to tell every soldier I meet, “Thank you for your service.” One hundred years ago today, we made this day the official day to do it, but we would do well to remember it every day.

To those of you who served, thank you!

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s Text: Luke 22:54-62