Continuing Gratitude to Veterans

For many years our home church honored its Veterans with numerous events throughout November. Two stand out: a photo Wall of Honor displaying the church members and family members in uniform.

The other was Sunday, November 11, 2012 when the entire Service of Worship focused on the role God in the lives of veterans and their families. Live and dramatized testimonies were included, along with an essay tribute that Cami Myers, later a KIT Ministries intern, wrote as a public school sixth grade class assignment.

One of the church ushers, Rudy, was a Veteran who had survived the D-Day invasion at Normandy. Rudy didn't like talking about D-Day. He rarely spoke of his military years. Yet, after the service, he asked for a copy of the essay. He lived to be 92. Rudy told us he kept this essay at his bedside. We share to

“Give thanks in all circumstances.”

What does a Veteran mean to me?

By Camille Myers (Grade 6, 2010)

A veteran means a person that risks their lives for the freedom of their country. This essay is to say thank you to all of those men and women.

The first time I realized how dangerous war can be was when I did a project on Clara Barton in the third grade. She was a nurse on the battlefield during the Revolutionary War. After that project, I realized how much some people take for granted. They think war is all about the shooting and wearing the uniform but it‘s not. It‘s a matter of life or death, and fighting for the freedom of our country.

I also realized how important the reason for wars can be, mostly for freedom. I know many people‘s lives were taken in war but many others are still with us today.

I‘d briefly like to mention some people I know that are veterans and people that are in training to go to war: My Grandfather (Col. Otrie Barrett Sr.) is a veteran; my dear friend‘s brother, Charlie Bourne, is in the Marines; my cousins Kayla and Adrianna are going to Afghanistan.

My Uncle Bill Myers was in ROTC in high school. This helped him decide to join the Indiana National Guard. He retired as a captain.

I realize that it‘s not easy to go off to war and leave your friends and family. So, thank you to all the veterans. May our troops be safe in Iraq, and hopefully we can bring them home soon.

Resources for Veterans

Camille’s interest in Veterans affairs continues in adulthood as has KIT Ministries connections as attested by these links:

D-Day Warriors: It Was Our Story, Too — a documentary on Native America soldiers in World War II on WTTW.

Coping with Mental Health of Veterans — tips for individuals and families struggling with emotional healing.

8 Ideas to Honor Veterans All Year Long

1. Embrace the Veterans in your congregations.

2. Remember God’s role in Veterans’ lives during worship.

3. Encourage congregants to talk with their military family members.

4. Use your media-savvy youth to record and edit their stories.

5. Befriend the chaplains at the local VFW Posts.

6. Expand service projects to include nearby Veterans facilities.

7. Check your community agencies to see how faith-based organizations may be of service.

8. Watch for tours or special programs at Veterans facilities; consider virtual field trips.

Native American Veterans Museum, Trickster Cultural Center, Schaumburg, IL