Our Faith Obligations for Veterans Day

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I am simply amazed at the number of veterans serving in Congress, men and women. For example, Tammy Duckworth, Senator from Illinois who co-piloted a Black Hawk helicopter which was shot down and left her without both legs and only partial use of her right arm. She served 23 years and earned a Purple Heart for what she had done in the war with Iraq. There are several more veterans in Congress and most recently a veteran was elected as Governor of New Jersey: Miki Sherill, another fighter pilot. Both parties are represented in the veterans’ circle of people who caught the flames of anger in war, flames that sought to bring America to its knees I order to conquer nations seeking our help.

I do not believe in war—unless we, or our Allies are attacked. Even then I believe that morally informed negotiations with perpetrators is the way of faith forward. I do not accept the renaming of our Department of Defense to Department of War. No, we are a nation that enlists defense if we are attacked or our Allies or desperately poor nations are attacked. We are not a nation that enlists war first against perceived enemies. We do not start wars. We are not a Department of War. We are a Department of Defense.

All of this brings me to the coming commemoration this week of Veterans Day, November 11. Originally known as Armistice Day (I remember that), it celebrated the end of World War I on November 11 at 11 am, so it became: 11/11 @ 11 am, the day and time the Armistice was signed in 1918. The Armistice was between our Allies and Germany and took effect through the Treaty at Versailles. In 1938 Armistice Day became a legal holiday and in 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation changing its name to Veterans Day to honor all veterans, living or dead. 

I recently had occasion to learn about a unique piece of history that bears acknowledgement on both Veterans Day in November and Memorial Day in May. It is a piece of history not very well known until the publication last April of the book, Remember Us by Robert Edsel.

Hitler’s army had advanced into the Netherlands on May 10,1940 with the intention of securing the western most part of Europe. The army rode into Limburg, a tiny area that had known peace for over 100 years and, like all of the Netherlands, was neutral in the current war. For four years, Germany occupied Limburg until American forces advanced in September 1944 and fought for this part of the Netherlands. Thousands of Americans here and in other parts of the western European theater of the war died in the area, a total of 17,800 American young men and four women. Friendships between Americans and Dutch had grown and some flourished into romances during the war in Limburg. Citizens protected American soldiers and provided food in appreciation for their gallant efforts until 1945 when the war ended.

Edsel recounts the horror of burying the dead, a task assigned to American Black soldiers. He tells the story of two brave women, a young woman who loved an American, and a mother of 11 who founded the Dutch movement called Adoption of a Grave. Emily traveled to America after the war to meet as many families of the fallen as possible to ask if they wanted their loved ones brought home or kept in Limburg at Margroten Cemetery. She promised that each grave would be cared for by a Limburg family and the birth date and death date of each soldier would be commemorated by an adoptive family. Only some 7,000 men were returned to the U.S. from the western edge of the war. A total of 405,000 Americans perished throughout the entire War. After 80 years, the Limburg families continue to care for the soldiers who fought for the freedom of the Dutch in Netherlands. Succeeding generations tend the graves with respect and love adding holidays as well that this hero would have celebrated had he gone home to America. The original families took an oath that they would see to it that the graves of the men who secured their coveted freedom would never be forgotten.

Reflection

This is a story of courage and gratitude. Our young men and women who faced the horrible ignominy of war and the people whose deep gratitude to them keep their memory alive. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole earned the Medal of Honor and Sgt. Jeff Wiggins was eventually hailed a hero. Both were black grave diggers for their fallen comrades. 

Edsel says this story illuminates a “Prime Moment of Humanity.” Think about that. One group giving all they had to save another and the other group giving gratitude for the rest of their lives and their children and grandchildren’s lives.

On Veterans Day, we might think of the bravery of our military wherever they were deployed and the bravery it takes to resume civilian life especially when they carry the scars of their service. On this day I will remember an uncle, a paratrooper, who was shot as he glided into a war zone and sustained major injuries. I will remember a cousin who was swallowed in ferocious flames as his ship, the U.S.S. Quincy, was demolished in the Coral Sea. I will say prayers of gratitude that two brothers, and a brother-in-law, two soldiers and a Marine, came home after Vietnam. 

God abhors war and bloodshed. Commemorate service, love, and unity on this day. Remember them.

Remember Us by Robert Edsel and Bret Witter. Available in libraries and bookstores.