Echoes From the Campfire

You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back.”
              –Coast Guard motto

    “No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.”
              –John 15:13 (AMPC)
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Veteran’s Day!  A day of remembrance, a day to give thanks to those who have served.  As of November 2017, there were 18.8 million veterans living in the United States, that is 7.6 percent of the population.  If statistics are right there has been a 3.6% decline since then, meaning that only 4% of the population are veterans.
    I have a scripture marked in my Bible given me by a Marine veteran of Vietnam.  Many years ago, he penned it to me on the flyleaf of a book, I have then since marked it in my Bible.  It is indicative of the Vietnam vet, but it could pertain to any.

         “For we don’t want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in the province of Asia:  we were completely overwhelmed–beyond our strength–so that we even despaired of life.  However, we personally had a death sentence within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.”
                  –2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (HCSB)

    Both Annie’s and my family are filled with veterans.  I won’t take the time to list them again, but they served their country.  They understood the saying, “All gave some; Some gave all.”  It makes me wonder if the Millennials and those of Generation Z appreciate the cost that the veteran has paid.
    When I think of a veteran I think of someone who serves.  He doesn’t look for personal accolades or medals, but is concerned about his country, his family, and his fellow soldier.

        “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself.”
                   –Galatians 6:2-3 (HCSB)

    My custom for the past eighteen years has been to send John McRae’s famous poem, “In Flanders Fields,” out to my readers.  I won’t send the complete poem, though it is short, but I want to concentrate on a certain portion.

        “Take up our quarrel with the foe:
         To you from failing hands we throw
            The torch; be yours to hold it high.
            If ye break faith with us who die
         We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
                 In Flanders fields.”

The torch has been thrown to those now living.  Do they reach out and grasp it, hold it high and continue to serve?  Some do, and thank the Lord for them.  Our country dare not break faith with those who have past, those who have sacrificed.