Minute for Mission: Veterans Day

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For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” — Matthew 25:35–36

Nov. 11 was originally set aside as “Armistice Day” to honor veterans of World War I. Congress sought to set aside time to “commemorate with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through goodwill and mutual understanding between nations … with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.” In 1954, the word “armistice” was replaced with “veterans” to remember those who served in World War II and Korea.

But when the “goodwill and understanding” that so many sought to perpetuate between nations failed, the names and places and their impact on our friends and families increased with time: Vietnam, Grenada, Beirut, Panama, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. And the experiences in those places profoundly impacted the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our personal lives and those of our friends and families for many generations. In some cases, the stories and experiences and subsequent recognition became well documented in books, movies and television shows. But for others, the impact was without recognition or fanfare. No books. No miniseries. No individual monuments. The impact of those experiences was firmly retained behind an emotional wall. While some thought they were hidden from view, the impact was evident to friends and family for years to come.

So, as we approach Veterans Day, I give thanks to the Veterans Affairs, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and military chaplains who serve alongside our veterans. In every situation, a chaplain was there. Whether it was on the beaches of Normandy, a small group in a VA counseling center or a prison chapel service, Presbyterian pastors serving as chaplains in these institutions have for generations sought to faithfully follow the tenets of Matthew 25.

In addition to our chaplains, I also take time to remember others who also impact our veterans and their families in their local communities and churches: our PC(USA) pastors, elders, deacons and parishioners. I lift up in prayer all called to a life of service and how Matthew 25 guides us to serve and love others: a neighbor, someone from our community or a congregant.  

Today, as I seek to remain faithfully guided by the tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the veterans impacted by their time of service who hold close the memories, experiences, hopes and fears. I remember you in my prayers.

Today, as I seek to remain faithfully guided by tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the families of veterans impacted by the separation of time and distance and who hold close their own memories, experiences, hopes and fears. I remember you in my prayers.

Today, as I seek to remain faithfully guided by tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the chaplains who followed their service members onto the beaches, jungles and waterways of our world and whose call to faithfully serve also took its toll on themselves and their families. I remember you in my prayers.

Today, as I seek to remain faithfully guided by tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the numerous support organizations, local communities and houses of worship that devote time, prayer, energy and talent to help our veterans and their families adjust to a new frame of life. I remember you in my prayers.

Today, as I seek to remain faithfully guided by tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the long line of faithful servants who do more than remember the day as a federal holiday, but actively seek to perpetuate peace, healing, understanding and restoration to our veterans, their families and those communities ravaged by conflict. I remember you in my prayers.

Rev. Dennis E. Hysom, Executive Director, Presbyterian Federal Chaplaincies, and a retired Army Chaplain

Let us join in prayer for:

Helen Heinzen, Mission Specialist, Stewardship and Funds Development, Administrative Services Group
Lorraine Henry, Director, Advocacy, Plan Operations, The Board of Pensions         

Let us pray:

Loving God, you know how deep wounds go. You know that many of our veterans, families, caregivers and communities suffer from the trauma of combat, and you feel that pain in their lives. You know the memories that haunt them and the scars that many of them continue to carry. O merciful Savior, bring healing to those veterans who still hurt. Please grant patience and wisdom to those around them who cannot understand but can sometimes help. Permit both physical and spiritual healing to wounds that remain. For this we pray in your most holy name. Amen.

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Veterans Day

November 11, 2024

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” — Matthew 25:35–36

Nov. 11 was originally set aside as “Armistice Day” to honor veterans of World War I. Congress sought to set aside time to “commemorate with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through goodwill and mutual understanding between nations … with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.” In 1954, the word “armistice” was replaced with “veterans” to remember those who served in World War II and Korea.

But when the “goodwill and understanding” that so many sought to perpetuate between nations failed, the names and places and their impact on our friends and families increased with time: Vietnam, Grenada, Beirut, Panama, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. And the experiences in those places profoundly impacted the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our personal lives and those of our friends and families for many generations. In some cases, the stories and experiences and subsequent recognition became well documented in books, movies and television shows. But for others, the impact was without recognition or fanfare. No books. No miniseries. No individual monuments. The impact of those experiences was firmly retained behind an emotional wall. While some thought they were hidden from view, the impact was evident to friends and family for years to come.

So, as we approach Veterans Day, I give thanks to the Veterans Affairs, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and military chaplains who serve alongside our veterans. In every situation, a chaplain was there. Whether it was on the beaches of Normandy, a small group in a VA counseling center or a prison chapel service, Presbyterian pastors serving as chaplains in these institutions have for generations sought to faithfully follow the tenets of Matthew 25.

In addition to our chaplains, I also take time to remember others who also impact our veterans and their families in their local communities and churches: our PC(USA) pastors, elders, deacons and parishioners. I lift up in prayer all called to a life of service and how Matthew 25 guides us to serve and love others: a neighbor, someone from our community or a congregant.   

Today, as I seek to remain faithfully guided by the tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the veterans impacted by their time of service who hold close the memories, experiences, hopes and fears. I remember you in my prayers.

Today, as I seek to remain faithfully guided by tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the families of veterans impacted by the separation of time and distance and who hold close their own memories, experiences, hopes and fears. I remember you in my prayers.

Today, as I seek to remain faithfully guided by tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the chaplains who followed their service members onto the beaches, jungles and waterways of our world and whose call to faithfully serve also took its toll on themselves and their families. I remember you in my prayers.

Today as I seek to remain faithfully guided by tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the numerous support organizations, local communities and houses of worship that devote time, prayer, energy and talent to help our veterans and their families adjust to a new frame of life. I remember you in my prayers.

Today as I seek to remain faithfully guided by tenets of Matthew 25, I lift up the long line of faithful servants who do more than remember the day as a federal holiday, but actively seek to perpetuate peace, healing, understanding and restoration to our veterans, their families and those communities ravaged by conflict. I remember you in my prayers.

Rev. Dennis E. Hysom, Executive Director, Presbyterian Federal Chaplaincies, and a retired Army Chaplain

Daily Readings

• Morning Psalms 135; 145
• First Reading Joel 1:15-2:2
• Second Reading Revelation 18:15-24
• Gospel Reading Luke 14:12-24
• Evening Psalms 97; 112

Today’s Focus: Veterans Day

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Chandra Wilson, Customer Service Representative, Hubbard Press 
Melaina Wilson, Marketing Program Assistant, Presbyterian Foundation 

Let us pray

Loving God, you know how deep wounds go. You know that many of our veterans, families, caregivers and communities suffer from the trauma of combat, and you feel that pain in their lives. You know the memories that haunt them and the scars that many of them continue to carry. O merciful Savior, bring healing to those veterans who still hurt. Please grant patience and wisdom to those around them who cannot understand but can sometimes help. Permit both physical and spiritual healing to wounds that remain. For this we pray in your most holy name. Amen.

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Remembering service members, families and others this Veterans Day

Praying for understanding and healing

November 11, 2022

“I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:15–16

Humvee sandstorm (provided)

Originally called Armistice Day, Nov. 11 was set aside to honor veterans of World War I. In its official resolution, Congress sought to set aside time to “commemorate with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through goodwill and mutual understanding between nations … with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.”

Unfortunately, the guns of August, which led the world into the chaos and devastation of World War I, were not silenced forever. So, in 1954, the word “Armistice” was replaced with “Veterans” to remember those who served in World War II and Korea.

And since 1954, the places where service members have been called to serve have only increased: Vietnam, Grenada, Beirut, Panama, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. While books, television and the movies highlight well-known historical people, units or locations, there were thousands more who served our country faithfully, without national recognition or fanfare. No books. No miniseries. No individual monuments. While many of their experiences are not even known by their families, their personal memories and individual experiences remain firmly a part of the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives. I remember you in my prayers.

As we approach another Veterans Day weekend, I remember others who are also called to a life of service, often directly impacted by the experiences and memories of those they love, a neighbor, someone from their community or a congregant.   

I remember the families of veterans impacted by the separation of time and distance and who hold close their own memories, experiences, hopes and fears. I remember you in my prayers.

I remember the chaplains who followed their service members onto the beaches, jungles and waterways of our world and whose call to faithfully serve also took its toll on themselves and their families. I remember you in my prayers.

I remember the various support organizations, local communities and houses of worship that devote time, prayer, energy and talent to help our veterans and their families adjust to a new frame of life. I remember you in my prayers.

I am thankful for the long line of faithful followers who do more than remember the day as a federal holiday, but actively seek to provide peace, healing, understanding and restoration to our veterans, their families and those communities ravaged by conflict. I remember you in my prayers.

Rev. Dennis E. Hysom, Executive Director, Presbyterian Federal Chaplaincies and retired Army Chaplain

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Aaron Jordan, Conference Center Manager, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Bequi Jump, Associate Translator, Spanish, Global Language Resource, (A Corp)

Let us pray

Loving God, you know how deep wounds go. You know that many of our veterans, families, caregivers and communities suffer from the trauma of combat, and you feel that pain in their lives. You know the memories that haunt them and the scars that many of them continue to carry. O merciful Savior, bring healing to those veterans who still hurt. Please grant patience and wisdom to those around them who cannot understand but can sometimes help. Permit both physical and spiritual healing to wounds that remain. For this we pray in your most holy name. Amen.

Today in the Mission Yearbook - On this Veterans Day, remind siblings in uniform that they’re not alone

November 11, 2021

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38–39 (NLT)

Humvee sandstorm (provided)

When Operation Iraqi Freedom kicked off in 2003, I was an Army chaplain assigned to a battalion in the 3rd Infantry Division. We spent the first four days of the war in a convoy heading toward Baghdad.

During that convoy, I found myself successively stuck in a traffic jam on a two-lane highway in the middle of the desert, stranded on the side of the road dangerously close to a firefight, and trying my best not to drive into a ditch during a sandstorm.

So many times during that long convoy I found myself thinking in frustration,” How did I get here?”

At the end of four days of craziness on the road, my Humvee along with four other vehicles were lost in the sandstorm, trying desperately to find our headquarters. The only thing we had to guide us was my personal GPS and a radio that could only transmit a few miles.

We were driving through the sandstorm along a rarely used path when a soldier came stumbling out of the haze. She had gotten off a helicopter and been sent in the wrong direction by the crew. Now she was lost, miles away from her unit and unknowingly walking towards the enemy. She had been walking for hours, was exhausted, very frightened and felt hopelessly alone.

But when she encountered us, her strength was renewed. She would not die in the desert searching for her teammates. She was not alone! We pulled her into one of our vehicles and delivered her later that day to her headquarters.

For four days, I had been asking, “How did I get here?” Now I knew the answer. God brought me there. God brought my convoy there. God had called us to that time and that place and was right there with us.

This was a common theme during my career as an Army chaplain … finding myself in strange, crazy, sometimes scary places, wondering how I got there, and then suddenly the light bulb would come on: “Oh, I get it. … God wanted me here!” And, in those moments, I always knew I was supported by the presence of God.

This is not just my story. All military chaplains live, work and deploy with service personnel and their units. Because of this, they often find themselves in strange and scary circumstances, wondering, “How did I get here?” The answer? God called them there for a reason — to remind our sisters, brothers and siblings in uniform that they are not alone. When we are scared, when we are lost and exhausted, when all hope is gone, we need to know that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God.

On this Veterans Day, please remember to pray for our clergy who have answered the call to go to strange, crazy and sometimes scary places, who stand shoulder to shoulder with soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Guardians and Coast Guard personnel to remind them, every day, that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Chaplain (Col.) Barbara Sherer, United States Army, Retired

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Moongil Cho, Associate, Korean Intercultural Congregational Support, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Sean Chow, Associate, Training & Leader Cohorts, 1001 New Worshiping Communities,
Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray

Gracious God, we are grateful for our veterans who have given so much in their service to our nation. We know many suffer physical wounds from their service, but even more suffer from moral wounds having labored in circumstances that you did not intend for your children to endure. On this Veterans Day, may we pause to thank veterans for their service and acknowledge the burden they have borne to advance our common good. Even as our veterans gave of themselves in their time of service, may we be inspired to use our gifts, our time, our talents and our treasure as we love our enemies even as you have loved us. Encourage us that even as you sent a chaplain to rescue the lost soldier in the desert and unite her with her unit, may we stand on your promise that we will never be left alone but that we are always united with you.    Amen.