The last several years I have become more interested in watching war documentaries and movies. I have learned so much about the strategies and tactics used in the great battles of history. Its not that I have a morbid fascination with war, it just that I am amazed by the courage and sacrifice made by men and women who fought to preserve our freedoms. The one film that impacted my thinking in this regard was Steven Spielberg’s 1998 classic Saving Private Ryan. It was the most realistic war movie I have ever seen. I think it is the only movie that ever caused me to cry the first time I saw it. It was sobering to realize that most of the soldiers who landed at D-Day were in their late teens and early twenties.
Recently my son and I saw the new version of Midway. It, too, was very realistic. Again I was overwhelmed by the raw courage of those young naval airmen who fought that battle that changed the tide of the war in the Pacific. Most of the pilots and sailors were just kids, some right out of high school. Sadly, I don’t think young people today appreciate what their grandfathers went through so we can enjoy the life we now have in America. Maybe they ought to show those war movies to kids in high school now just to give them a clue what freedom costs.
That being said, today (Nov. 11, 2019) is Veteran’s Day. I am old enough to have known some of the veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War who participated in some of those horrendous battles. I even met a few from World War I. Most of them have since passed on. Of course, we have many more veterans living today who fought bravely in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Today, if you encounter a veteran, take a few moments to thank him or her for his or her service. Maybe go visit a military cemetery. Just remember, everything we take for granted, freedom of religion, speech, political belief, etc., was all paid for with the sacrifice and blood of those who served and serve today.
It is significant that Jesus Himself gave one of His greatest compliments to a soldier.
5 And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him,6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” 7 Jesus *said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.” (Matthew 8:5-10 NASB)