I asked for strength that I might achieve,
God made me weak that I might obey,
I asked for health that I might do great things,
I was given grace that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God.
Amen

Today, Sunday May 17th, 2009, we celebrate a very special holiday. It isn’t Thanksgiving even though we give thanks. It isn’t Independence Day, the 4th of July, even though we celebrate freedom. It isn’t Valentine Day; even though we think about those we love. 

Today at the Tremont United Methodist Church we celebrate ‘Veteran’s Sunday’ which is also known as ‘Armed Forces Day Sunday’, which President Truman proclaimed in his Presidential Proclamation on Feb. 27, 1950. The theme for the first annual Armed Forces Day was “Teamed for Defense.” It was chosen as a means of expressing unification of all United States military forces. And it was a day, is a day, to honor and acknowledge the members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

While acknowledging all the veterans and active duty of the United States Military we need to remember that movies make war out to be a lot of shooting, death and violence but what movies do not show is reality. A star gets shot and killed in the movie and six months later that same star is starring in another movie. 

Cartoonist Bill Mauldin drew a cartoon in which Willie and Joe are sitting on a sidewalk of an Italian town far behind the battle lines. The two are leaning against a building, utterly exhausted from combat, their clothes torn and filthy. Striding past them is a clean-shaved well-groomed young soldier who obviously had a chip on his shoulder. His fists are clenched tight and his jaw is set in obvious anger. As he goes by, Willie says to Joe, “That cain’t be no combat man-he’s lookin’ for a fight!” It’s right no veteran goes looking for more fighting. 

In the words of response of General Sherman at a graduation speech at the Michigan Military Academy in 1879, after he became disgusted with the words of glory being used to describe the war’s campaign.

“War is at best barbarism. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, and more desolation. War is hell!”

War is hell and they say there is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole, for everyone is praying to God to spare their life.

Sadly we put more emphasis in celebrating Halloween than our veterans who have served the United States of America with dignity and pride. Protecting its shores and the very freedoms we have that many in this world only dream of.

In studying the Bible the Bible does not give a specific position for or against serving in the military. At the same time Christians can have a sense of peace in knowing that serving as a member of the military is highly respected and that such service is consistent with a Biblical
Worldview.

In the Bible, Book of 2nd Samuel 21:15-17, we learn that David had an Army of men that David commanded. We learn war is about life and death.

“The Philistines had war again with Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines; and David grew weary (tired of fighting).And Ishbibenob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighted three hundred shackles (7.5 ILBS) and who was girded with a new sword, thought to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and killed him. Then David’s men adjured him, (commanded him) “You shall no more go out with us to battle unless you quench (put out) the lamp of Israel. 

From the Bible, “Free On The Inside” verse 17:

Then David’s men took an oath and made a promise. They said to David, ‘We never want you to go out with us to battle again. You are the lamp of Israel’s kingdom. We want that lamp to keep on burning brightly.

Why do men and women go to war? Is it to be heroes and heroines? 
To be buried with full military honors? No. Men and women in the United States military put their lives on the line daily to protect the freedom’s we have in the United States of America. To ensure that the light’s of freedom will continue to burn brightly in their homeland.

The places and titles may have changed, but our armed forces should be just as valued as the centurions of the Bible. There are no heroes in the heat of battle. As the Old English Proverb says, “A hero is a man who is afraid to run away.”

In the New Testament Book of John 15:13, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said, “Greater love has no man that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Something that veterans who have been in the heat of battle know only to well as they hold onto the memories of being in war and knowing the importance of distinguishing remembering our veterans and not glorifying war.

I knew a man called him Sandy Kane.
Few folks even knew his name. 
But a hero was he.
Left a boy; came back a man.
Still many don’t understand,
About the reasons we are free.

I can’t forget the look in his eyes,
Or the tears he cries,
As he said these words to me;

All gave some and some gave all.
And some stood through for the red, white and blue. 
And some had to fall. 
And if you ever think of me,
Think of all your liberties and recall;
Some gave all.

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here,
But his words are oh so clear,
As they echo through our land;
For all his friends who gave us all;
Who stood the ground and took the fall,
To help their fellow man.

Love your country and live with pride.
And don’t forget those who died; America can’t you see?

All gave some and some gave all.
And stood tall for the red, white and blue.
And some had to fall.
And if you ever think of me;
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall.
Some gave all.

And if you ever think of me;
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall.
Some gave all.
Some gave all.