11 Nov, 2011
Honor Those Who Have Fought the Good Fight
Veterans Day: Tradition plus a unique basketball game
President to lay wreath at Arlington before heading to aircraft carrier-turned-arena
Veterans Day commemorations vary from the unique to the traditional Friday.
President Barack Obama plans to attend the first college basketball game to be played on an active Navy aircraft carrier after laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery's patriotic ceremony.
Parades are planned in many communities. The stock market will be open but banks and most government offices will be closed.
Veterans Day comes less than two months before all U.S. troops are due to leave Iraq and while nearly 100,000 still serve in Afghanistan.
At 11 a.m. EST at Arlington National Cemetery, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a ceremony inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb, officials said. A prelude concert by the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" is slated at 10 a.m. inside the amphitheater.
This year's event will be hosted by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki; Russell C. Vowinkel, Commander-in-Chief of the Military Order of the World Wars; and Major General Michael S. Linnington, Commander of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and the Joint Force Headquarters–National Capital Region, according to Arlington officials.
Ceremonies are also planned at many national cemeteries. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a complete list here.
In San Diego, preparations were under way Thursday aboard the USS Carl Vinson, the aircraft carrier that buried al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden at sea.
On Friday afternoon, coaches Tom Izzo of Michigan State and Roy Williams of No. 1 North Carolina are confident their teams will put on a great Veterans Day show for the approximately 7,000 in the crowd, including Obama, the nation's basketball-fan-in-chief, plus a national TV audience.
Story excerpt and photo found at google.com.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the honoring a life?
Today around the US many will be honoring and remembering veterans from various generations who have fought for the freedom of our country. Some of these veterans are, like Paul in today's God's Story scripture, nearing the end of their life. They have not only fought for our country, they have fought an even greater battle - the spiritual battle for our eternal freedom. If you pause today to honor veterans in your family or community, consider also pausing to remember those who have fought the good fight of faith for you.
How can I connect today's God's Story to My Life?
- Take some time today to write a letter to God to say "Thank You" for the new life He has given you.
- Ask God today to be your strength as you journey through this life and "fight the good fight."
- Browse through the Book of Acts and some of Paul's Letters this weekend to see the many was he "fought the good fight."
How can I connect Today's Story, God's Story, and My Story with Others?
- Do you have a veteran in your family? Take some time today to sit with them and ask them to share part of their story.
- Is there someone in your life who truly represents a life of following Jesus? Spend some time with them this weekend. Ask them how God has seen them through the spiritual battles they've faced in their life.
- If you can, get some friends together this evening to watch the Carrier Classic. After the game spend a few minutes talking about the veterans you know. Listen for ways that you may be able to segway into God's Story and how Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our eternal freedom.
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