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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Church briefs: May 26, 2012
Church briefs
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Ministry seeks funds for fans
Covenant Cooperative Ministry is collecting financial contributions to purchase electric fans for the Summer Fan Program.
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It’s time we realize that it’s time to speak up
I first wrote the following words in November 2004. Unfortunately, things don’t appear to have changed all that much. So, here goes — prepare yourselves for a “rerun.”
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I admit it. I cry. A lot.
I admit it. I cry. A lot. I cry when I watch TV, for those Hallmark commercials get me every time. I have even cried while watching reruns of Law and Order, for goodness’ sake!
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Church briefs: May 19, 2012
Church briefs
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Don’t let a grudge rob you of living in peace with others
In 1870, Julia Ward Howe asked for “all women in all places to all rise up and oppose all wars.” She called it A Mother’s Day for Peace. The idea never caught on.
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Church Briefs: May 12, 2012
Church briefs
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THE JOY LADY: A few last words that should be taken to heart
My husband and I rarely argue. The more we live together, the more we agree with each other, and we have found that arguing just isn’t worth the effort.
- Church Briefs: April 28, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: April 28, 2012
Last Sunday, as we do most every Sunday, my husband and I went out for dinner after church with some friends.
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Christian recording artist endorses Valley author’s book
Bryan Duncan, Dove and Grammy award-winning contemporary Christian music pioneer singer and songwriter, recently endorsed Clay County author Marjorie E. Hopkins’ book.
“Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife,” is a “must read,” Duncan said. -
Indiana female priest challenges Catholic church
A former Catholic nun went through an ordination ceremony in Indianapolis to become a priest in defiance of the church’s ban on women becoming priests.
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CHURCH BRIEFS: April 14, 2012
Terre Haute St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Services Sunday in the historic church at 217 N. Seventh St. include Eucharists at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday school and middle/high school youth group meet at 9 a.m. Afterward, join the camaraderie, coffee and conversation in the Great Hall. -
THE JOY LADY: Worship never has been and never will be about us
King David was a mighty warrior, a popular leader, a talented musician and a prolific hymn writer.
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Seminar on ‘Caring for the Barren Woman’
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church at 645 Poplar St. in Terre Haute, across from Vigo County Public Library, invites the greater Terre Haute community to a free seminar at 11:30 a.m. April 21.
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Easter services at St. Mary-of-the-Woods: A Miracle Retold
The miracle of a risen Christ doesn’t stop at an empty tomb, church leaders told the devout on a brilliant Sunday morning.
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Ministry to screen families for free food distribution
Covenant Cooperative Ministry will begin screening 400 families by taking applications
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THE JOY LADY: Perhaps we understand what we want and disregard the rest
March Madness is over, and I’m going to miss all those wonderful basketball games on TV. I don’t understand how people aren’t inspired by a game of basketball.
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Church to offer Financial Peace University series
New Providence Presbyterian Church announces an upcoming Financial Peace University class series for all area residents beginning at 2 p.m. CDT April 15 at the church at 1751 N. 2250th St. in Paris.
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Church briefs: April 7, 2012
Children’s Religious Education begins at 10:50 - There are two groups, youth ages 5 to 9 and Tweens, ages 10 and up. Child care for younger children is provided for the entire service.
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THE JOY LADY: In April or any month, you’re foolish if you deny God for lack of understanding
On April 1, 1957, BBC reporter Richard Dimbleby announced that because of an extremely mild winter, the dreaded spaghetti weevil was virtually eliminated.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 31, 2012
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Interactive ‘Passion in the Park’ beginning Thursday in Fairbanks Park
An interactive nondenominational community-performed drama of the Easter story, “Passion in the Park,” will be staged Thursday through April 8 at Fairbanks Park. Nightly shows will be at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
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Sisters of Providence plan ‘Come and See Weekend’ April 13-15
The Sisters of Providence will host a “Come and See Weekend” April 13-15 at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. Catholic women ages 18-42 who are considering a call to apostolic religious life are invited to attend.
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THE JOY LADY: ADo you ever wonder if people frustrate God?
Throughout the years, our family has had its share of pets. We’ve loved and buried hamsters, tropical fish, little bitty turtles, dogs, cats and other assorted critters.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: March 24, 2012
- RELIGION BRIEFS: March 24, 2012
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Wise men and women are always learning
Reality has hit me like a medicine cabinet full of Metamucil. I am officially — oh, dare I say it — growing older.
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‘Make It, Bake It, Grow It’ dinner and auction set
Armstrong United Methodist Church, on U.S. 40, east of Marshall, Ill., will host its 11th annual “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” dinner and auction on March 24.
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Church Briefs, March 17, 2012
Church briefs
- More Religion Headlines
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Church briefs: May 26, 2012
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