Veterans Day

Today is Armistice Day, the day when the armistice was signed to bring the fighting of World War I to a halt. It is also a very special day in the U.S. Today is a day to remember and honor our troops--all who have served and all who serve now.

Memorial Day in the spring is a sacred day, a time set apart to honor those who died in service to their country. It is right, of course, that we should devote a special day to that remembrance.

But Veterans Day is a day for honoring all who served. Each man or woman who has ever spent time in service to this country deserves to be thanked and honored. Each one has made sacrifices. We owe them all a debt of gratitude.

Thank you, troops. God bless you all.

And to the Lord who loves every member of those armed forces: we thank You and bless Your name, and we ask your protection on those now in harm's way.

Eternal Father, strong to save,

Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,

Who bids the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep;

O hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, whose voice the waters heard,

And hushed their raging at Thy word,

Who walkedst on the foaming deep,

And calm amid the storm didst sleep;

O hear us when we cry to Thee,

For those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who didst brood

Upon the waters dark and rude,

And bid their angry tumult cease,

And give for wild confusion peace;

O hear us, when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and pow'r,

Thy children shield in danger's hour;

From rock and tempest, fire and foe,

Protect them, wheresoe'er they go:

Thus evermore shall rise to Thee

Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

William Whiting