Skip to Main Content
A veteran hugging their family

A Veterans Day Message

Joel James, Div SVP Mission Integration

Posted in:

Yesterday a friend commented that the war in Ukraine that threatens the security of the region is between countries that practice the same Orthodox faith between their peoples. The same mass, the same language used in homilies, the same crucifix behind the altar. 

Does it come down to who prays the most fervent prayers? Which side “really” defends the greatest good and should receive the blessing of God for what they stand for? 

Especially on days that celebrate our brave fallen, we should recall the reasons why our forefathers, fathers, brothers and sisters marched unfailingly into the breach of threat for life. Was it because we are always the most righteous country? Or, was it because they loved their own people and saw a looming threat to the safety of the home? 

Here’s a challenge. Try to imagine intentionally walking into harm's way in order to safeguard some sacramental reality like, freedom, peace, the pursuit of happiness ... and NOT see someone’s face in your mind. 

Veterans Day is about the response that our defenders made to a call from our common community that they were afraid something might rob us of our safety. When our soldiers do scary things, it isn’t because they are looking for a thrill. It’s because they carry the burden of the call of the people to stand between us and annihilation. 

The burden of the community that sends its strong, fine defenders into battle is to be worth fighting for. We celebrate our veterans because they didn’t question our value when they answered the call. 

Thank a veteran for what standing in our defense says to us ... about us! It says that we are worth a great personal sacrifice on their part. Let’s agree to honor them today by trying really hard to earn the value of that gift and to be a people worth protecting.

Publish date: 

Friday, November 11, 2022

Recent Blogs

Honduran breast cancer survivor rushes to Baylor St. Luke’s for emergency liver cyst removal

MAY 16, 2025

Vilma Crespo had been cancer-free for almost five years. She became understandably concerned when she started experiencing pain in her upper abdomen.

Read More Additional information about Honduran breast cancer survivor rushes to Baylor St. Luke’s for emergency liver cyst removal

Cutting-edge, convenient cardiac care in Brazosport

MAY 16, 2025

St. Luke’s Brazosport Hospital can now perform complex cardiac cases with the arrival of a device that keeps blood and oxygen flowing while surgeons fix the heart.

Read More Additional information about Cutting-edge, convenient cardiac care in Brazosport

Overcoming stroke with inpatient rehabilitation

MAY 08, 2025

Mason Villegas was 17 years old when he suffered a brain bleed during surgery at a Texas hospital. He woke up paralyzed on his left side with peripheral vision damage.

Read More Additional information about Overcoming stroke with inpatient rehabilitation