Remember Their Sacrifices

Every year on July 4th, my fellow Americans celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s declared independence from Great Britain. Yet many of them take our freedoms for granted. It’s often been said, “Freedom isn’t free.” Over the years, countless U. S. soldiers shed their blood so we can enjoy this prosperous nation God blessed us with.

What’s also tragic are the veterans neglected by the very people who should be assisting them. Fortunately, President Trump recently signed the Veterans Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. This will hopefully cut down on the number of bad VA employees making it difficult for veterans to receive benefits they deserve.

In the meantime, many homeless veterans are begging on street corners asking for help. I go out of my way to minister to them as well as other veterans I’ve seen wearing caps indicating they fought in certain wars. First, I approach these veterans by thanking them for their service and mention my spending time in the Army National Guard. If they’re hungry, I offer these veterans a snack and then a gospel tract explaining I’m now a soldier in the army of the Lord.

When David volunteered to take on Israel’s enemy Goliath, he was offered many rewards including not having to pay taxes (1 Samuel 17:25). I believe our veterans should receive similar benefits particularly those who fought in combat. Many of us never experienced the danger of enemy soldiers firing upon us.

So the next time you see a veteran, thank him for the sacrifices he made for our country. But don’t neglect to share the Good News about the One who sacrificed His life so that all of us can receive the benefits of eternal life.

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:7-8