November 11, use to be called Armistice Day.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a cessation of hostilities was signed between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I.
In 1954 President Eisenhower renamed it Veteran’s Day which altered the day from being a celebration of the end of WWI to a day honoring all US war veterans.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII, today there are only about 250,000 still living.
It’s hard to comprehend that about 245 WWII vets die every day.
There are still about 2 million veterans of the Korean War.
There are about 6 million Vietnam War veterans.
But even if a veteran never saw combat, we still honor them and thank them for the willingness to defend this nation with their lives.
Perhaps you are reading this and know of a veteran who died this year.
Or you have recently gone through the pain of burying a loved one.
Many will be coming to the Thanksgiving Day table with one less place setting.
With the funeral restrictions due to covid-19, there may also be those who were limited to a grave-side only service for their loved one.
My church, Lexington Baptist offers a memorial service every year before the holidays.
But because of Covid-19, we felt the need to invite the community to come.
There will be music, a word from our pastor Dr. Mike Turner, and you can light a candle in memory of your loved one as we pray for one another.
We use social distancing by every-other-row seating and ask that masks be worn.
We will do this Sunday, November 15 at 4 pm in our worship center at 308 E. Main Street.
Please let us know if you can attend, and bring a picture of your loved one.
Contact me at 803-996-8807 or dan@lexingtonbaptist.org .
Next Week: Are you a well-seasoned citizen?