Word of Encouragement

Well, this certainly has been an interesting couple of weeks. Aside from the presidential election, we are seeing a resurgence of COVID cases, prompting all sorts of speculation about, “What’s next?”

Will we see a national lockdown for four to six weeks, a mandatory wearing of masks, or other measures to slow the spread of COVID? Who knows?

But one thing we do know is that this week we also observed Veterans Day. I was moved by many of the e-mails and videos I saw recognizing the contributions of the millions of veterans who have served our country.  

Personally, I am proud of my nephew, Chris, who is a West Point grad, a colonel in the U.S. Army, and currently deployed in the Middle East. On Wednesday, his wife Holly posted a picture of Chris with his two spectacular kids to remind him how proud they were of their favorite currently-serving officer.

I bring all of this up because while it looks likely that our government officials will impose additional mandates, and people will talk about the “sacrifices” we have to make as we battle this insidious pandemic.

That said, I couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, we need to recalibrate our perspective about what really constitutes a sacrifice. For example, I hate wearing my mask, but it’s an irritant—not a sacrifice. If that is what I need to do to help slow the spread of COVID, then sign me up. At the end of the day, I’ll still have my warm bed, eat good food, enjoy creature comforts, and be able to spend time with my family and friends.

A real sacrifice is being separated from your family and friends, putting your life on the line for your country, and dealing with living conditions that can be spartan. In short, a sacrifice is what is conveyed in this beautiful video that reminded me how being a veteran means you have signed up for all that plus a whole bunch more.

My dad and some of his brothers served in the military. They exemplified the spirit described in Tom Brokaw’s outstanding book, “The Greatest Generation.” I am also blessed and fortunate to have many friends who served our country. And one common attribute shared by my dad and his counterparts, as well as other veterans I know, is that they didn’t serve because they were looking for adulation or adoration. They served and were willing to make sacrifices because of their love for, and desire to serve, their country.

In the Gospel of John, we are reminded that, “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” So in this week’s Words of Encouragement, I’d like to thank all our veterans for being willing to endure actual sacrifices for the good of our country.

In our battle as a nation and world to beat back this pandemic, may our veterans’ willingness to be living examples of what service and sacrifice looks like inspire us and remind us of what can be accomplished when we come together to prevail in our battle against COVID.