How To Thank A Veteran

“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Galatians 5:13


On this Veterans Day we want to say thank you to the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces in any capacity around the world throughout the ages. America remains the greatest nation in the world because of our willingness to protect and serve not only our own interests at home but also the interests of all of humanity at the furthest corners of the globe.

People ask, how do we honor our veterans and what’s the best way to do so? Thats a great question. Not being a veteran myself I couldn’t answer the question so I sought the council of men and women who have served and their answer was the same. We can best thank our veterans today by appreciating the freedoms we have been afforded by the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price. The best way we can honor our veterans is by enjoying our freedom here in the United States and using that freedom to sacrifice for and to serve one another. I am reminded of the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers motto that says, “so that others may live”.

What is true about our elite Coast Guard swimmers is true of the body of Christ. The apostle Paul in Galatians 5 admonishes the church to always live with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in mind. Because of Jesus Christ sacrifice upon Calvary’s Cross we have freedom today but we can never forget that freedom always comes at a price. And just as Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to appreciate the sacrifices and service of our military personnel, every day provides for the followers of Jesus to live lives of gratitude, not self serving but that we might serve others in love.

So, the best way to thank a veteran today is to appreciate the sacrifices that have been made so that others can live, for the benefit of others. When we set out to serve others in love our actions reflect our appreciation to those who laid down their lives so others could live. Make the most of this Veterans Day by living your life for the benefit of someone else. Serve others sacrificially and do it with love which honors both our God and our country which is another military motto in and of itself, “for God and country.”

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

1 Corinthians 15:58

I LOVE YOU!