Happy Veteran’s Day! It’s such a special, meaningful day we celebrate today.

My family is very grateful for our Veteran’s service and sacrifice, and we know what this day truly means. None of us would be in the position we are now without you, our Veterans. I can’t even imagine how our country would be without you, our Veteran’s courage, honor, and sacrifice throughout our nation’s history.

To my Rattler and Firebird friends (I love you all, brothers), to all Veterans and to all active duty military, know that our family STANDS TALL FOR YOU! We honor you today as you are all heroes, truly. The USA is the best, and we will continue to be the best country that all nations look upon for leadership, honor, democracy, and freedom because of you and with our active Armed Forces defending us. May our children’s children and on down the line never forget our heroes sacrifices. Thank you Veterans.

I would like to begin my prayer with a quotation by Mark Twain that I believe captures the ideal of the military patriot on this day of honor and remembrance for our Veterans:

In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. ~Mark Twain, Notebook, 1935

Almighty Father, Our Protector and Defender,

We seek Your divine blessing upon our Veterans and their families as we set aside this day to remember and honor their sacred service. They braved the hardships, the danger and the sacrifice, in the highest example of our Lord, to bring the bounty of freedom’s harvest to an anxious world. No tyrant was ever too strong or to powerful for the Veteran to vanquish in the name of liberty and justice for all.

They fought the foe on ships that set to sea; no land was ever won or held without the Soldier’s sacrifice; brave aviators trod the high untresspassed sanctity of space, put out their hands and touched the face of God. Each one is a hero, each one suffering a wound, many of which are never seen.

We thank our Patriots for their vision, their heart felt acts of bravery and courage, and especially for those who paid with their very lives that we might live in the light of free will and sovereignty. Father, be with those who are serving today, at home, abroad and in particular those fighting a life and death battle for democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you for our hope and the great nation of America, may she ever be a light for mankind. I pray these requests in the Name that is above all Names, Jesus Christ. Amen

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