Showing Gratitude for the Sacrifices Our Veterans Have Made

“Let someone else praise you,”

Proverbs 27:2

My husband Ken always goes out of his way to greet people he sees in military uniform. No matter where we are – dining out, in an airport, a fast-food restaurant – Ken will stop to greet a veteran or even offer to buy a meal. Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let someone else praise you,” and that’s what Ken and I do: we want to be that “someone else” who recognizes the sacrifices these men and women have given to defend our freedoms.

Without a doubt, this kind of gratitude has long been an intentional part of our everyday life. But over the years, our intentionality has dramatically increased as we’ve listened to the stories and experiences from men and women who have served in the heat of fierce conflict.

Hearing their stories has hit us with the hard truth that the sacrifices our military personnel have made do not end on the battlefield.

Even when the frontlines are thousands of miles away, so many of our warriors still face brutal battles on the home front. I was especially moved by the riveting story of Sergeant Peter Strauch (and I hope you’ll take the time to watch it).

Sergeant Strauch is dealing daily with the collateral damage from IED explosions during his service in Iraq. More than ever, his story compels us to give our veterans unceasing thanks, tireless prayer support, and heartfelt, practical help.

So, to all of you veterans reading this today, thank you. God bless you for your service and many sacrifices. And if you need prayer, let us know right away.

And if, like me, you have never been asked to don a military uniform and serve our country in war, join me this Veterans Day in thanking our vets. Whether it’s visiting a local veterans’ health care center, writing a note to your retired Army uncle, or simply making a habit of saying “thank you” whenever you see a warrior in uniform… you, too, can bless the many men and women who have faithfully served our nation. God bless America, and God bless all those in uniform!

–Joni Eareckson Tada