Thank You!

I would like to sincerely thank all of the men and women who died while serving in the United States military. Where would we be as a nation if not for those thousands and thousands and tens of thousands of sacrifices? In fact, according to estimates released by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 500,000 military personnel died in the U.S. Civil War alone.

Over 4,430 U.S. Military members lost their lives during the Revolutionary War. The War of 1812 saw 2,260 lives lost. Indian Wars: 1,000. Mexican War: 13,283. Spanish-American War: 2,446. World War I: 116,516. World War II: 405,399. Korean War: 54,246. Vietnam War: 90,220. The Persian Gulf War: 1,565. Global War on Terror: 6,852.

And, according to pbs.org, out of a nation of nearly 329 million people, 1.3 million Americans are in active-duty military, and another 800,000 serve in the reserves, according to the Department of Defense.

Thank you to those who serve! Thank you to the families of those who serve. Thank you to those who served and never came home. We owe our lives to you.

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

This verse reminds us of the incredible depth of love and sacrifice. Jesus Himself would go on to endure a torturous death on the cross, not for His own sake, but for ours, calling us His friends and giving everything for our salvation. It is a love so profound, so overwhelming, that it challenges us to reflect on what true selflessness really means.

As we honor the sacrifices of those who have served and given their lives, please also pause to remember the ultimate sacrifice made for each of us.

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 ESV

by Jeanette Stark – Monday, May 29, 2023