Photo courtesy of Wesley Tingey on Unsplash
My Dad fought in World War II; he was actually in Honolulu, going to college, when Pearl Harbor happened. For a man who loved to tell stories about his life growing up on a small farm, playing football in college, and all the fun activities of living in a small town, he never talked about his time in the war. I would periodically ask him questions, but he always hedged his answers.
War isn’t a conversation high point. It often brings more sadness, regret, and pain. For some who have fought for us, the resulting trauma and stress wear on them, causing difficulty with jobs and permanence. In and around our neighborhood, I see vets begging on street corners, offering to work for food. The lack of support for many of these men and women saddens me considerably. After all, they fought for the freedoms I too often take for granted.
Veterans make up about seven percent of our population. Out of a total population of more than 17.6 million living veterans, roughly 33,000 are homeless on any given night. About ninety percent of homeless vets are men; ten percent are women.
Veterans Day honors the men and women who served selflessly and faithfully to protect our freedoms and our homes, every person who has worn the uniform, whether serving in wartime or peacetime. Marking the end of World War I, when fighting stopped on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, it reminds us of those who served with courage, discipline, and sacrifice.
War is a harsh reality of people wanting what others have and being willing to fight for it. Most would avoid it.
There are ways of sidestepping war.
The Israelites were on the cusp of entering Canaan, the land God had promised Abraham. God told Moses to send spies into the land, one from each of the twelve tribes, to see what the land was like, and to determine if the populace was weak or strong. They explored the land for forty days.
Ten of the spies came back sharing how fruitful and lush the land was. But they were hesitant; they saw the people as giants, believing these foreigners were far stronger than the Israelites. They spread a bad report, convinced that the land would devour anyone who went there.
Two spies believed that God would provide the land as He promised. Their countrymen tried to stone them for their response.
God told the Israelites that, because of their lack of faith, none of the doubters would ever make it into Canaan; they would wander for forty years, during which time, those who doubted God would die.
Feeling guilt for their lack of faith, the people of Israel attacked the people in Canaan. “But the LORD told me to tell you, ‘Do not attack, for I am not with you. If you go ahead on our own, you will be crushed by your enemies. This is what I told you, but you would not listen. Instead, you again rebelled against the LORD’s command and arrogantly went into the hill country to fight.’” Deuteronomy 1:41-43.
The Israelites lost. Badly.
Wars teach us many things, especially about the people who are engaged in them. Decisions are made, right and wrong, yet the people involved each have value.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, let’s remind ourselves that each of those who have participated in wars should be seen, known, and valued.
We’re all warriors at heart.
Leave a Reply