Veteran’s Day Reflections

FROM THE DESK OF DEACON JUDY

As we remember all who have served in the Armed Forces on Veteran’s Day, November 11, I reflect especially on the Viet Nam veterans, as my husband and several of his friends served in that war so long ago.

When I was in Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago, I revisited the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial. The memorial wall starts low with only a few names, then gets larger and larger, cutting a gash into the earth, remembering the 58,000 who died in that war. Two of my husband’s squadron buddies are on that wall, both shot down, tortured, and killed. One of the kind volunteers, a young Vietnamese man, offered to do the rubbings for Bruce and John, as a remembrance.

Honor flights had brought many veterans to the Wall that day, to remember their comrades and to reflect on their own experiences.

I weep each time I visit the Wall. I weep for all the wars which continue to this day.

Longing for the fulfillment of Jesus’ teaching “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”, I honor all the courageous men and women who serve and have served their country for the cause of freedom and peace.

I am proud that military chaplains of the Episcopal Church serve those in the military, Veterans Administration hospitals, and federal prisons, providing spiritual and day-to-day support to servicemen and women overseas and stateside, veterans requiring medical services, and the incarcerated. The chaplains respond to the challenges facing today’s military personnel, including extended exposure to violence, injustice, hatred and hardship. They bring spiritual healing and comfort to those with no other faith resources.

I offer this prayer for those in the Armed Forces of our Country:

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May God’s peace be with us all, Judy Q+