In 1918, at the moment of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, World War I began its slow descent to culmination. The fighting didn’t officially end till June 28, 1919, but Nov. 11 was so important in the cessation of fighting between the Allies and Germany, that the day became a holiday. Armistice Day, as it was known then, was celebrated in the United States and became an official holiday in 1926. In 1938, it became a national holiday, complete with official recognition and celebrations. In 1954, the moniker Armistice Day was replaced by Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.
Veterans Day fell victim to the legislations that moved our celebrations of national holidays from their true dates of occurrence till Mondays. I guess they thought three-day weekends and the celebrations surrounding the time off were more important than the commemoration and honor that occurred on the actual anniversary date of the important occasion. It started with Veterans Day. In 1968, those brilliant lawmakers of ours declared our honor of veterans would take place, not on Nov. 11, the true anniversary of the Armistice, but on the fourth Monday in October. The memorialization of the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh month was thrown right out the window.
Then, in 1971, things really got confusing. Forget about Lincoln’s Birthday on Feb. 11 and Washington’s Birthday on Feb. 22. Now, we celebrate both birthdays on one day, you guessed it, a Monday — the third one in February. No more putting flags on graves on May 30, the day set aside by General Logan and the widows of the Confederacy. Now Memorial Day is celebrated on, you guessed it, a Monday — the last one in May. As for Columbus, we no longer honor him on the day of his birth, Oct. 11. That’s right, you guessed it again, another Monday — the second in October.
I guess all this Monday holiday was good for giving us a long weekend, but it seems that we Americans will fiddle around with the dates for such luminaries as Washington, Lincoln, Logan, Confederate Widows and Christopher Columbus. But don’t mess with our veterans. We made such a stink about the Veterans Day Monday that in 1978, Congress voted to return the observance of Veteran’s Day to Nov. 11. That’s why, on Wednesday of next week, we’ll see parades and flags and veterans waving flags while parading around in the too-tight uniforms of their youth. It’s Veterans Day, and all veterans of our armed forces will — and should be — honored for their service to our country.
But a veteran is not only one who has served in a branch of the military or has fought in a war. A veteran also can be one who has gained experience in a certain field through long service or practice. Those veterans also are worthy of our honor.
The janitor of your church who has cleaned up after you for years with little pay and probably little or no recognition. The cook at the cafeteria who stands all day on sore feet and aching legs in order to provide you with hot food for lunch. The cleaning service worker who cleans your work space while you are sleeping, picking up after you and cleaning up the messes you made during the day. The customer service representative who takes your call after listening to an overly-long tirade from an angry and abusive caller. The cashier who stands in one place performing endless repetitive movements for countless customers without receiving a single smile or word of encouragement. These people are veterans at their jobs, veterans of being criticized and called less than complimentary names. They are the veterans of receiving the angst of our bad moods and impolite natures. They don’t deserve to be treated the way we treat them.
Colossians 3:12 puts it like this: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
What that means, dear readers is that we should not be the ones who make those who serve us feel like they have gone into a battle when they do so. We should not make those who make our lives easier feel like their time with us has been as hazardous as a war zone. We should make sure our encounters with others don’t make them feel as if they are standing in the line of fire.
Let us live by the words to a simple song: “They will know that we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know that we are Christians by our love.”
Verna Davis may be reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: ‘Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience'
- Religion
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THE JOY LADY: It’s not too late to send God a Valentine this year
I just finished up doing a little surfing on some Valentine’s Day sites. After the necessary censoring for language and questionable love hints, I have gathered a few Valentine hints that might make your upcoming Valentine’s Day easier.
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Paris church launches Bible-reading campaign
The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in our communities are actually reading it? A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 11, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: Doug and I made one promise — to love each other
The first time I met my then future husband, he was no catch. Trust me. It was my first semester in college — August 1970.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Feb. 4, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: Spurred on to husk out the good works left to do
I’ve got this thing. It was passed down to me inside a tin box that once belonged to my grandfather’s aunt. The thing is about 6-inches-long and 2-inches-wide.
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Maryland Community Church develops app
People can experience a church activity without physically being there. A smart phone helps make that connection for a Terre Haute church.
- Church briefs: Jan. 21, 2012
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BOOKS: Wabash Valley author to sign books at Java Haute on Saturday
Brazil resident Marjorie E. Hopkins will sign copies of her Christian Life book, “Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday in Java Haute, at 3805 Wabash Ave.
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THE JOY LADY: Be VERY careful with all the words you say
Our language is peculiar, isn’t it?
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 14, 2012
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New Signing for the Savior class beginning
Senior Education Ministries Inc. in partnership with Families by Choice and Park Place Apartments has scheduled Signing for the Savior.
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Holiness Association to offer Indoor Camp
Vigo County Holiness Association will offer an Indoor Camp from Jan. 17 to 22 in 8th Street Wesleyan Church at Eighth Street and National Avenue in West Terre Haute.
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THE JOY LADY: Lyrics of hymns, worship choruses soothe my soul
When my children were teenagers, I annoyed them. On purpose! Of course, their reaction to my attempts to annoy just added to my fun. The frustrated sighs, the shaking heads, the averted faces only served to keep me going.
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Church to break ground on sanctuary
Groundbreaking on new expansion and remodel project at Cross Lane Community Church is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday in the church at 2204 Lafayette Ave.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Jan. 7, 2012
- Church Briefs: Dec. 31, 2011
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THE JOY LADY: With forming habits in mind, let’s ask some basic questions
OK. It’s over. Pack up the snowmen, the manger scenes, the mistletoe and the ornaments. Put the tree back in the box and cart it all to the attic. Christmas is over.
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THE JOY LADY: Do we forget that Christmas is all about Jesus?
I have a collection of manger scenes. Seventeen, as a matter of fact. A small one, about two inches by three, was purchased in the Holy Land and is carved out of olive wood. It was given to me a couple of weeks ago by a dear friend (thank you, Norma) because she wanted to add to my collection.
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NEWSMAKERS: Dec. 24, 2011
Seventeen individuals made their first commitments as Providence Associates during a recent Eucharistic Liturgy at St. Mary-of-the-Woods and at other sites across the United States.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 24, 2011
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First Congregational Church offering ‘Longest Night Service’
During this season, we often think of Santa and presents, nativity scenes and the birth of the Savior, as well as family gatherings and meals.
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Independent Nazarene Church plans Christmas concert
The Singing Barrick Family will be presenting a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 25 at the Independent Nazarene Church.
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THE JOY LADY: He is worthy: Are our hearts full of worship this Christmas?
Those manger scenes I’ve been talking about remind us that Joseph’s heart was full of courage and Mary’s heart was obedient. As for the shepherds — their hearts were full of worship.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 17, 2011
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Christmas Dinner planned at Marshall church
The fifth annual Community Christmas Dinner, sponsored by Marshall First United Methodist Church will be on Dec. 25 at the church in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone who lives in the Marshall area is welcome to attend this free dinner.
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THE JOY LADY: Like Mary, we should give God our total, humble obedience
My heart needs to be more like Mary’s. Here she was, minding her own business, busily preparing for her wedding, when the angel Gabriel showed up and told her she had found favor with God and that soon she would be with child. She was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High, whose kingdom would never, ever, never end.
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Sponsor a child at Christmas
All 18 elementary schools in Vigo County were able to submit names of three to five families from their school that need the most help for the holiday season.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: Dec. 10, 2011
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Terre Haute native on her book: It’s a ‘Bible study with a twist’
“Refreshing Bible study with a twist” is how Terre Haute native Mary Ann (Shouse) Crum describes her recently released book, “Live. Learn. Laugh! Stories and Studies That Reveal God’s Amazing Heart” (Xulon Press, 2011).
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