A World War II Veteran and the National Anthem
Last Monday evening I was given the opportunity to speak at a small congregation during their series of gospel meetings. At the end of the service, as we were exiting the building the local preacher introduced me to an elderly gentleman who was walking out. I noticed he was using a cane to steady himself. The preacher informed me that this man had fought in the Battle of the Bulge. This immediately encouraged me to have a conversation about the man’s work and sacrifice in that effort.
He was still fairly light on his feet and his eyes had not dimmed. He was mentally intact and well-spoken, yet humble, quiet, and kind. I thanked him for his service to our country. His words were few, but he told me that he was not drafted for the cause, but that he volunteered for it because he believed in it so completely. He also said he was so thankful for the home front. He said if it had not been for all of the support the armed forces had been receiving from home they would have never been able to have success in the battle overseas. For three and half years this man, now mid-nineties, had fought and sacrificed and given his life to his country. As he passed me and headed down the church steps I could have no other feelings than appreciation, thanksgiving, and respect.
Imagine believing in something so strongly that you would be able to offer up your life for it voluntarily! There was a time in the history of our nation when what we were doing and why was entirely more clear. With all of the recent controversy and media hype over the Kaepernick kneel at the playing of the national anthem, I am reminded that those who are now choosing to kneel have been given that freedom by none other than the people who once bled and died for its existence.
If there is any kneeling to be done, let us kneel at the feet of those who made our country great! If there is any kneeling to be done, let it be out of respect and sadness and humility rather than out of protest! If there is any kneeling to be done, let it not be for our personal, divisive, political agenda but rather let be for no other purpose than to serve and protect and sacrifice and pay honor to the colors of freedom and the unity of the hearts of the people who still live in the greatest country in the world!
There is another emblem of freedom that was first raised at Golgotha. It stands today as a symbol of international and eternal freedom for all those who come to terms with its meaning. When its song calls to us, will we hear it? Will we obey it? Will we respond to it? Those who sit in church buildings and refuse to observe its anthem are no different in some respects than those who declare citizenship and yet refuse to observe the very call that makes them free.
But you cannot be drafted. You have to volunteer. You have to believe in the cause so completely that you would lay down your life for it. That’s the only way true freedom has or ever will be gained.
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” – Mark 8:35
———————————————————-
