Veterans Day - Honoring Those Who Served

November 11 is Veterans Day! And while most Americans are familiar with this holiday, you might be surprised to learn a little about its history and what it actually represents.

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of the fighting in World War I, which came to a close on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.

It was a day originally set aside to celebrate peace and honor those who had served in what was then called "the war to end all wars."

Of course, history tells us that more wars would follow. And in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name to Veterans Day, expanding its purpose to honor all American veterans, regardless of when or where they served.

And here's an important distinction that sometimes gets overlooked.

Memorial Day is when we especially remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Veterans Day is when we honor all who have served in our nation's Armed Forces, in times of war and in times of peace, with special gratitude for those veterans who are still among us today.

Freedom is one of those precious gifts that can be easy to take for granted. But behind the freedoms we enjoy are generations of men and women who answered the call to serve, often at tremendous personal sacrifice.

The Apostle Paul encourages us in Romans 12:10 to "Outdo one another in showing honor."

And there isn’t more fitting of an occasion to put those words into practice than Veterans Day.

Every year, we have the privilege of honoring men and women who answered the call to serve our nation, often setting aside their own comforts, their own interests, and precious time with their families.

So to every veteran in our church family, throughout our Lowcountry community, and across this great nation:

Thank you.

Thank you for your courage, your commitment, your sacrifice, and your willingness to serve a cause greater than yourself.

May God bless each of you, may God bless your families, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Happy Veterans Day!