Isaiah 2:4 He will judge between the nations and will settle
disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and
their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be
called children of God.
Yesterday we had an excellent Memorial Day service in
Hapeville. It is a great thing to come together and remember those who lost
their life while in our armed forces. As I sat with friends, experiencing
national pride with the rest I was also quietly sad. It is right and good to
honor or war heroes but maybe we should also take a moment to remember the pain
and finality of death. Maybe we should
weep with those who lost spouses, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters,
mothers and fathers to the terror of war.
On November 11th we will celebrate another
important national holiday – Veterans Day.
On it we celebrate and honor the service of those who served and
returned home alive. I’m so proud of my
father who served in Europe and North Africa during WWII. Did you know that November 11th
was first called Armistice Day? Established in 1938 it was created to
commemorate the signing of the peace treaty that ended the “war of all wars.” It was a day to be dedicated to the cause of
world peace but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest
mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history;
after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the
urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by
striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word
"Veterans” so on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor
American veterans of all wars.
I think this was a grave error. We should have and observe Veterans Day. Yet we
should also continue to celebrate world peace.
I would like a national holiday celebrating all peace treaties and the
efforts of leaders and diplomats that either ended or prevented warfare. I pray for the day when there will be peace
on earth. Let’s give peacemaking equal billing.
God of love, we ask your comfort upon all surviving victims
of war and their family members along with those who lost loved ones in
war. God we pray for the day when all
nations will seek peace before making war.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Blessings,Paige
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