It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…
Veterans Day, which occurs on November 11 each year, honors all veterans of U.S. wars. Our Veteran’s hospitals are full of aged forgotten men and women who suffered so we might live the good life.
Many know I’m a movie buff. I especially appreciate a movie with good, crisp dialog. A favorite of mine is A Few Good Men which is about a military court case. We can visualize Jack Nicholson yelling, “You can’t handle the truth!” People remember it even if they’ve never seen the film.
However, the line I like happens when two of the lawyers disagree about their Marine clients. One asks the other, “Why do you like them so much?”
The reply is: “Because they stand on a wall and say, ‘Nothing’s going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch.’”
I love that line. When I think of those who serve in the military to protect our freedoms that’s what I picture—soldiers standing guard so we can sleep in peace. They stand watch so we can enjoy the freedoms and rights we so often take for granted: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right to assemble, the right to a trial, the right to vote, and so on. These are privileges not afforded many in foreign countries.
My Dad who passed away a few years ago fought in World War II. Once when he and my stepmother had come to visit, they wanted to see the movie Saving Private Ryan. I tried to deter them by saying how realistic it was, but they really wanted to go. At the theater, my Dad proceeded to talk loudly, as older people are apt to do, throughout the whole movie. He said things like, “I was there!” “I remember that.” “What country are they in now?”
Those around us were not amused and I was a little embarrassed, of course, but I just thought about all the things I must have done to embarrass him when I was a kid. He was my dad and he served in World War II. I was proud of him and thankful he came home alive. Sometimes he would tear up when he thought of the atrocities he saw and endured.
Old people want to forget the horrors of war but they want to remember that they fought the good fight. So much of the Bible speaks of spiritual warfare. Songs are written about being in God’s army and to advance as “Onward Christian Soldiers.” The Bible speaks of fighting the good fight (I Timothy 6:12, I Timothy 4:7). It also speaks of God fighting our battles for us.
Veterans fought battles for us, too. I think they and all our military deserve our thanks!
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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)
