“O Holy Master, Almighty Father and Pre-Eternal God, Who alone made and directed all things; Who rises up quickly against the evil of the impious ones; Who, by Providence, teaches Your people preservation of Justice and the obliteration of the sword on earth; Who condescend to raise up military columns to help the people: O God, Who commanded the Forerunner John to say to the soldiers coming to him in the desert, “Do not intimidate anyone … and be content with your wages:” We entreat You with compunction, that You gave Your child David the power to defeat Goliath, and as You condescended, through Judas Maccabeus, to seize victory from the arrogant pagans who would not call on Your Name; so too, grant protection in righteousness and truth to these Your servants against the enemies rising against them, and by Your heavenly loving-kindness, strength and might for the preservation of faith and truth. Condescend, out of Your mercy, O Master, to grant them the fear of You, together with humility, obedience and good endurance; that they kill no one unrighteously, but rather preserve all righteousness and truth; that they may fear You and honor Justice; that they run in friendship to those who are scattered, extending Your love to those near them, serving the elderly with justice; and that their ranks fulfill all things righteously; For You are our God, and to You do we ascribe glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.”
– Orthodox Prayer for a Soldier in Time of War
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Several years ago, once when Veterans Day fell on a Sunday, my parish sponsored a program where our Vets displayed memorabilia from their time in the military, wore their uniforms, and introduced us, and most profoundly our children, to the realities of their time in various combat arenas. It was a beautiful sight; the men who took pride in their service to Country, and the grateful citizens who offered sentiments of profound thanksgiving.
One man particularly, a gentle, elderly man by the name of Athanasios (Tom) captivated our son’s attention. Damian was only a small boy at the time, and he couldn’t remove himself from looking at the pictures displayed, which featured the plane Tom flew in World War II. He was utterly captivated. Those aerial shots of his massive bomber were impressive to say the least. But it was more than pictures of old airplanes that drew him to Tom’s table. This veteran took the time to offer details about life as a WWII pilot. He was inviting and engaging. He drew in a little boy without romanticizing the violence of war, but making us all feel proud of his accomplishments and those of his fellow service men and women.
Our son walked away that day, having met a real hero, and carrying with him, his own pictures of Tom’s plane, together with the gift of his Captain’s Bars. What a treasure for a little boy!
This circumstance involved one child and one veteran. There are countless opportunities for such instances to occur because of the great number of people who have given their time and their very lives to the high purpose of defending our country. Veterans Day, occurring tomorrow, November 11th, is that special time when we can pray for and reach out to the sacrificial souls who commit themselves to our freedoms. I found what is the most concise and clear explanation about Veteran’s Day, of which I will share with you. It reads:
“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.”
It introduced a brief video on the history of this special day and why we need to be ever mindful.
War is not to be celebrated, only lamented. But the people who fight the war: those who pay the costs, suffer the losses, make the critical decisions and face the dangers are to be thanked and blessed. For all of you who have served in the American Armed Forces, I, on behalf of our loving community, extend our prayerful sentiments, sincere gratitude and profound appreciation. If you have served in times of war, thank you for placing yourselves in the face of grave danger, so that we may live in freedom. And to the men and women who were blessed to serve in times of peace, I am profoundly grateful that your skills, preparation and training proved to be weapons of deterrent, not catastrophe.
God bless our veterans. God bless our country. God bless our freedom. God bless you.
With Gratitude and Love in XC,
Fr. Anthony