Veterans

“He trains my hands for battle, my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” Psalms 18:34 NIV

I got a commemorative tie pin this week for being in my job for 15 years. During that time, I have logged around 750,000 miles and seen a lot of interesting people. The people I meet are interesting to me. During my first year I was in the middle of farm country trying to find a sale. I pulled up on a farm outside of Augusta, Kansas and met a distinguished looking gentleman. He had on a white long-sleeved dress shirt while working out in the barn.

I honestly do not remember whether he bought a policy or not. But I will never forget the day. I handed him my business card and he just stared at it. He looked up and asked “Claiborn. Did your dad serve on a ship in Korea?” Why yes, as a matter of fact he did. You don’t run into that every day. He went on to explain that when he was 19 years old he was in route to a combat zone. He was seasick. He apparently asked my dad, who was a cook on the ship, what to do about it. He told me my dad told him to keep something on his stomach and keep his belt tight. I have no idea why that worked, but apparently it did. I was so excited to call my dad. He remembered it too. Both men remembered the encounter 60 years later.

Today is Veterans Day. The older I get, the more I appreciate the occasion. My dad, my brother, Father in law, best friend, many of my uncles, friends and complete strangers all over the place have all went to work on a daily basis more likely to die than they were to get home. I have never had to do that.

Our country sometimes assumes that people think like us. We also assume that people support us. A lot of the world does. But a lot of the world does not. There are people who would prefer to see you and I harmed if not for soldiers standing in the way. It sounds dramatic. It is also true.

Saying “Thank you for your service” is a typical thing to say. “Thank you for my freedom” can also work. Neither is sufficient. Specifically, in World War I over 9 million were killed. In World War II over 20 million died. Over 60,000 died in Vietnam. Over 30,000 died in Korea. Over 100,000 didn’t come home from “conflicts” in the middle east. Thousands more men and women have lost their life while serving this country, serving me. The number of veterans who come home missing an arm, a leg, an internal organ, eye sight and more is staggering. All veterans come home changed in some way. PTSD hides inside the brain of millions for a battle we cannot see. On average, 22 veterans a day commit suicide.

I have a debt that I cannot pay, physically or spiritually, without the help of someone else. I know soldiers who have fought physically for me. I also know people who have fought spiritually for me. Without both, my life would look totally different. Thank you.

If you need a spiritual fighter, who do you call?

How many people think of you as their spiritual soldier? Are you?

Challenge: Every day. Life can be hard. Look around for people you need, as well as for people who need you. Live a life worth the sacrifice.

Rick Claiborn