I saw a notice on one of the social networks about November being the month of THANKSgiving and challenging us to tell what we are thankful for each day of the month. So, I thought I would blog about this each day. They will be smaller than normal posts and will contain this same header.

Today, I am grateful for Veterans. In today's Music and the Spoken Word broadcast, we honored Veterans as well as honored President Lincoln and the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg address. I know I have relatives in my family history that served the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam. Some served because they were drafted, but many that I read about served because they felt duty-bound to serve for what they thought was the right thing to do.

I have relatives, who, while they didn't serve in wars have been recognized by the DAR in their efforts pertaining to the war. They aided the soldiers by providing food. One relative, in particular slaughtered 1/3 of his livestock to provide meat for Gen. Washington's troops. I had relatives who provided shoes for soldiers. They were shoemaker's by trade and did what they could to help. I'm sure I also had relatives who aided in the war efforts during the World Wars by working in production lines, but I can't prove that.

I have found that when talking to veterans they either have a look of disgust or a look of reverence. The majority are the latter. You can see it in their eyes when you talk about their experience, that they are transported and perhaps reliving some memories all over again. They may be remembering a fallen soldier friend, or perhaps some of the local folks in the area they served.  But they have "that look", "that quiet reverence".

Both those that served because they were essentially forced one way or another or those that volunteered are considered veterans. I would even go as far as those who helped the cause could be given a title of honorary veteran.

I did not serve, nor my son, but I know those that did. And to those I dedicate this blog post and I give my humble thanks to you all who have served, as well as those who still do serve. As Abraham Lincoln said in the Gettysburg Address:

"It is here for us the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who have fought here have thus so far nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated  to the great task before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people , for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Our work, in the gospel, as soldiers of Christ is unfinished. There yet remains a great task before all of us. That we honor those religious veterans too, for their last full measure of devotion. The original disciples of Christ; Martin Luther, William Tyndale, our prophets, the missionaries serving throughout the world, as all the faithful members who faithfully do their callings. And that this nation, and the world will have a new birth of followers of Him through the great missionary work of salvation. That, when our Savior returns once again to the earth in full glory, He shall bring His government to the earth - which shall not again perish.


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