St. Martin of Tours & Veterans Day
admin November 11th, 2008
In all of the attempts to get God out of our public lives, it amazes me how God always manages to slip one by us.
It occured to me this morning that today is both the Feast of St. Martin of Tours, 4th century soldier turned bishop, and the anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in World War I. It’s the latter that has led to the long-standing holidays of Veterans Day in the U.S., Armistice Day in Europe, and Remembrance Day throughout the British Commonwealth.
I find great irony that we honor today both veterans throughout the world and St. Martin, the patron saint of soldiers. Somehow God found a way to get us to link the two.
Our own soldiers are in need of our prayers. They are proud, dedicated, selfless, patriotic and duty-bound. They are quite simply the best we have to offer here in America.
In the past week, I’ve spoken with the fiancee of someone who just got back from Iraq and the father of one still over there. For various reasons, they are wondering whether we back home really care about what they are doing over there.
They are busting their butts to protect us, often reupping for additional tours of duty, but we seem preoccupied with other things. They are acheiving victory despite our best efforts to get in their way, yet we refuse to acknowledge the good work they are doing in bringing peace and security, and liberty and freedom, to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.
If you know someone currently serving, say a prayer today to St. Martin that they be kept safe and succeed in their mission. Also pray for their families. If you know someone who has served this nation (ever), say a prayer for them in thanksgiving for their sacrifice.
We literally owe them our freedom, our liberty, our fortunes (no matter how small), and our lives. Let us never forget them and what they have done for us.
