Veteran's Day

At 5 A.M. on Monday, November 11, 1918 the Germans signed the Armistice, an order was issued for all firing to cease; so the hostilities of the First World War ended. Since 1954, this day (previously observed as Armistace Day) has been marked as Veteran's Day—a time for remembering all who have served in our armed forces.

As we remember today all who have served in our armed forces throughout our nation's history, we especially recall those who are serving today. The following prayer, from our Book of Common Prayer, is for all in the armed forces:

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

At our website, you will find an area devoted to A Prayer Vigil in Time of War which includes a brief service for time of war, prayers for those engaged in war, prayers for peace and a sermon giving a good understanding of praying in time of war.

There is also a religion column in our archives Support our troops with more than ribbons.

And as we want to recognize those who serve today, we also would not want to forget the many veterans who have already worked to preserve the peace through service in our armed forces. Pictured here is the oldest of the many veterans who attend King of Peace, Janet Finkelstein. Janet served in World War II, not as a WAC or WAVE, but as an Army nurse and was in England as it was bombed during the war. She'll serve this Veteran's Day by folding bulletins for King of Peace. We are thankful for her wartime service as we are thankful for the many men and women of our congregation who are veterans.