Veterans Day - Always in Our Prayers

 

On this special day, let us remember and honor those who served and thank those who taken up the torch and serve. 

It is through their service and devotion that we live in a free country.

Remember Those Who Served

Tell your children of the valor of those who served to secure and protect the blessings of freedom. Teach your children well.

We Shall Never Forget

Never forget the sacrifice made by those who served this nation.

Remember Our Veterans

Please take time to remember our veterans and their families.

Purple Heart Day

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still presented to American service members. The Purple Heart’s first predecessor, the Fidelity Medallion, was created in 1780 by the Continental Congress, but was only awarded to three soldiers that year.

Two years later, in 1782, President George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit. Because the Fidelity Medallion was never again bestowed, it is generally thought of as commemorative, and the Badge of Military Merit is instead considered to be the first U.S. military decoration and the Purple Heart’s predecessor. According to Washington, who designed the badge in the form of a cloth purple heart, the medal would be given to soldiers who displayed “not only instances of unusual gallantry in battle, but also extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way.”

The Badge of Military Merit later became known as the Purple Heart, which is still presented to U.S. service members today.

As you close your eyes in peaceful sleep, please pray for those brave men and women who were wounded in battle or gave that ultimate sacrifice upon the alter of freedom for all.

Purple Heart Day

The Purple Heart began as something called the Badge of Military Merit, an honor created by General George Washington in 1782. The honor was only presented to enlisted soldiers who had performed a “singularly meritorious action”. Only a handful of these were awarded, and following the American Revolution, the Badge of Military Merit didn’t become a permanent fixture among the various other awards and decorations given to those who serve.

But the spirit of the Badge of Military Merit would be honored again in 1932, when the Purple Heart award was created to honor the bicentennial of George Washington’s birthday. World War One saw the first Purple Hearts awarded to soldiers, presented on the site of the final encampment of the Continental Army in Windsor, New York.

The Purple Heart took many years to evolve into what it is known as today. When General Douglas MacArthur signed General Order #3 establishing the modern Purple Heart, it was not authorized to be awarded to anyone except to those serving in the Army or the Army Air Corps. A presidential order signed in 1942 opened the Purple Heart to all branches of the military including the U.S. Coast Guard.

Please take a moment and remember those brave men and women who were wounded in combat or gave that last full measure.

Purple Heart Day

Purple Heart Day is observed on August 7 each year and is a time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. Purple Heart Day is also known as National Purple Heart Day, Purple Heart Recognition Day and Purple Heart Appreciation Day.

Please take a moment today to remember our brave men and women who were either wounded in battle or gave that last full measure.

Remember Our Veterans - What it Means to Have Strength and Courage

Let us always remember those who served this wonderfully blessed nation. Thank you. Thank you all for your selfless acts of heroism. Thank you for your strength when all seemed lost. Thank you for your courage when things seemed darkest.

Remembering Our Veterans

On this day, let us remember our veterans and their service to this great nation. A nation not only blessed by God but also blessed by the service of men and women who believed and continue to believe that this nation should remain free and one nation under God.

In the beautiful words of Abraham Lincoln from his address at Gettysburg, "that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."

It is because of their dedication and sacrifice that this nation will not perish from the earth.

Thank you, veterans, for your service, dedication and sacrifice. You will not be forgotten.

Remembering Our Veterans - "In Flanders Fields"

A beautiful poem by John McCrae for his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Hannum Helmer, who was killed by a German artillery shell in the Second Battle of Ypres.

Remembering Our Veterans

My father served 23 years in the military and I am proud to say that. Each time I see a veteran, I have a certain pride that wells up in my chest. It is because of these brave men and women who decided to serve our nation that we live in a country where we can share our thoughts openly without fear of reprisal. We can worship freely. We live in a great nation where we do not need to fear for our lives or worry if we will just disappear one day. So many nations around the world have never known the freedoms we enjoy today. It is because of the sacrifices of brave men and women that we are so blessed.

Today is Veterans' Day. It is a time to thank those who put on uniforms to fight and, in some cases, give that last full measure.

God instructed Joshua to be brave and to be strong. Never be fearful or discouraged. The same Lord God that gave those words of encouragement and commission to Joshua does the same today. He issues those orders to those who serve our great nation.

Thank you, veterans! We will never forget the sacrifices that you and your families make for a grateful nation.

This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NLT)