This Wednesday on November 11th, as a nation we celebrate Veterans Day. In a special way on this day, we are encouraged to honor our men and women who have served in the armed forces and sacrificed so much on behalf of our country. Many of us have loved ones who now have Veteran status. Through their unselfishness and dedication, they made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms provided in our nation. We should appreciate their sacrifice and service and never take them for granted.
As mentioned previously, the Johns Creek Veterans Association arranged for the construction of the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk, located in Newtown Park. The Walk serves as a vivid reminder of the contributions to the defense of our nation made by our men and women in the armed forces throughout the years. Members of the Saint Brigid Knights of Columbus, many of whom are Veterans, assisted in the construction of the Walk.
We are also reminded that many of our recent Veterans continue to strive to adapt to civilian life. Catholic Charities in Atlanta has made a concerted effort to assist Veterans to obtain adequate housing and has also provided needed spiritual, emotional, and financial support. In addition, our Veterans Administration hospitals and treatment centers continue to strive to make necessary improvements in order to provide appropriate ongoing care for Veterans in need.
The following Veterans Day Prayer composed by Joanna Fuchs captures the essence of our appreciation for the sacrifice of our Veterans:
Dear Lord,
Today we honor our Veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country.
We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country’s heritage, for all of us.
Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression.
We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged to continue to honor our Veterans through our prayers and expressions of gratitude, always appreciating their commitment and sacrifice.