Tip of My Iceberg

When our grands were younger, they had a fascination with being part of the military, protecting their country, proud of being Americans. In a local parade, our boys, plus friends, created a make-believe tank, dressed as Army Rangers–or what they thought Rangers looked like–with Nerf guns to show the lengths they were willing to go to to fight for their country. They were applauded as they rode around the circuit, and I’ll admit I had a tear in my eye because of their little-boy bravery.

Kids are drawn to play that lets them pretend to be heroes. Fighting in wars, riding horses and conquering the wild west, saving those in distress bring out the buds of courage that blossom into full-blown bravery as they get older.

Courage and bravery are not often seen as national values. With the election just completed, people feel the freedom to denigrate the winners and make excuses for the losers. Rather than national pride, we have national discomfort and awkwardness, trying to come up with a valid reason for us all to be grateful for who we now have in authority.

Veterans’ Day is an opportunity to look past our differences and recognize the wonder of what we have here in America–a freedom not experienced in many countries, the opportunities to make something of ourselves, even if we feel we have obstacles standing in our way, and a sense of hope that comes with being able to stand up for what we believe is right. We won’t always receive agreement from others, but our freedoms put us in that rare space of living lives others can only dream about.

Many can rightly complain that it’s easier for some than others, that life isn’t fair. It’s a fact–it will never be fair. That doesn’t entitle us to overlook those who sacrificed everything for us as a country so we could experience a level of freedom here that isn’t found in many other places.

My Dad fought in World War II, an experience that marked him deeply, one he never wanted to talk about. When I was little, I wanted to hear the stories of bravery that he and his fellow soldiers experienced.

I didn’t realize the cost of remembering for those who have fought in wars. What they did willingly was something that held consequences for life after war. There are homeless veterans on the streets of our cities who not only have an indelible print of war on them, but they also lost normalcy as many knew it.

Jesus knew the cost of sacrifice–He gave up His life for us. In His last time with the men He’d worked with, He was helping them understand what He needed to do, why He came. He clearly stated to them, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.” (John 15:13) At the time they didn’t realize the scope of what this meant. Peter even tried to talk Him out of it, but Jesus was adamant that this was His purpose in coming.

He reminded them also that this world is a tough place to live for everyone. No one is exempt from pain, loss, and sorrow. That same night, He told His men, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Those who have fought in wars for us deserve our respect and gratitude. More than a mere, “Thank you for your service”; they’ve earned our heartfelt appreciation for doing a job we couldn’t or wouldn’t do.

This Veterans’ Day, don’t just thank a service member for their service. Thank them for being willing to sacrifice for us who often haven’t seen their bravery in action.