Today we pause to honor the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. Many of them carried burdens we will never see, made sacrifices that were never publicly acknowledged, and showed courage in moments of fear and uncertainty. Their service is a reminder that peace is never something we can take for granted—it is something protected, safeguarded, and entrusted to us.
We remember especially those who returned home changed in body or spirit and those who continue to carry invisible wounds. May we be a people who listen to their stories, accompany them in their healing, and work for a world where peace does not require such sacrifice.
Lord Jesus, you are our peace. Bring all wars to an end. Bring healing to our veterans and their families. And give us grateful hearts, gentle spirits, and the courage to be peacemakers in our own time. Amen.
