Today is Veteran's Day. It's been more than a century since President Woodrow Wilson first declared November 11 to be Armistice Day to celebrate the conclusion of World War I. The name was changed to Veteran's Day in 1954, but I remember as a kid hearing some of the adults still in the habit of calling it Armistice Day. 

In a time when holidays are routinely moved to give us long weekends, Veteran's Day always remains Nov. 11, to signify the "armistice" that was signed to end "the war to end all wars" at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1919.

Obviously, it wasn't the end of all wars; there was even another "world war" a couple of decades later, and many of those soldiers who fought in World War I would send their sons to fight in the next one. Several generations have come and gone since, with our nation's finest and bravest continuing to lay their lives on the line each day in service of our country. Literally millions of men and women have faithfully served in defense of our country, and hundreds of thousands have paid the supreme price, and as we commemorate Veteran's Day today, we must never forget their sacrifice.

I was trying to think of something creative to write that might express my heart's gratitude for those men and women who have served in our military, both at home and abroad, in peace time and in war, to preserve our freedom and protect our lives.

But all I could come up with was...thank you.

I have a profound respect for those who have served and try to take every opportunity I get to tell them so, whether it be at a funeral, at the annual Memorial Day event at the Alabama Veteran's Memorial in Irondale (I would highly recommend this), at veterans events at American Village in Montevallo, or just out in public.

Just last Saturday, prior to a rainy college football game in Birmingham, I was standing next to someone wearing the opposing team colors, waiting for it to get closer to kickoff before he and his wife left the cover of the upper deck to go sit in the rain to watch the game. Then I noticed the Vietnam Veteran cap, so I was sure to say, "Thank you for your service." Even though he was a visiting fan standing in enemy territory, he had my respect and appreciation.

And I can think of countless such personal encounters I have had with American military servicemen and veterans over the past several years. It may have been standing on opposite sides of a gas pump; waiting in line at a fast food restaurant; talking to a World War II veteran at the public library; seeing someone in an airport dressed in their military uniform; or recognizing veterans like we have done sometimes at Shelby Crossings. Over and over, with genuine heart-felt gratitude, I've felt compelled to simply say, "Thank you."

And so, today, lest I cloud these sentiments with many words, I will say it once again. To all of you who have served, and are serving--and also to those who have sent your sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, or fathers and mothers off to serve in defense of our nation--please know how grateful we are for your sacrifice.  

Thank you.

May I suggest that each of us find someone to thank, today, for standing in the gap for us. And don't forget to be in prayer for those serving in harm's way around our world even this day. May our Lord protect them, and may He be honored by their service.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

--Pastor Ken