Good Day, Meetpastordan Readers and Friends…I was contacted recently by a young lady named Rhonda Underhill. She asked if I would be willing to publish, under my banner, a blog that expresses her love for our great country, veterans and first-responders. I asked her to send to me a copy of her blog, which, I’m proud to say is right in line with my thinking. Her passion and compassion for her subject matter was obvious, so I feel privileged to be able support her effort to reach a new audience.
Thank you Rhonda for contacting me; I hope we can collaborate again in the future. Best wishes, and may God bless you as you continue to write.
We benefit from the privilege of living in a free country every single day. Those who serve our country offer themselves for that privilege, something the Bible explains is tantamount to the ultimate sacrifice. So why do we only celebrate our Armed Forces a few days per year?
I’m not advocating getting rid of Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and other military holidays — quite the contrary. However, if these are the only days you pay a second thought to our nation’s military, are you really doing enough to honor their sacrifice?
The truth is, veterans and service members willingly make sacrifices to protect your freedoms, and as we’ve said before at Meet Pastor Dan, they deserve more than just a “bumper-sticker slogan”.
It’s time for Americans to step up and give our armed forces the honor and support they deserve. Whether you’re a faith leader, a business owner, or just a neighbor and friend, here are eight ways you can do more to serve our military.
Pray for (and with) our troops
Prayer is a powerful reminder of the ongoing sacrifices made by our nation’s troops, veterans, and their families. Use this collection of prayers to ask God to bring protection, courage, and peace to the military community. But don’t just pray for our military. Pray with them too. Praying together invites God’s presence and encourages faith and spiritual connection.
Support military spouses and families
Prayer is important, but military families also need practical hands-on help. That’s especially true when a military spouse is left behind due to deployment or death. How can you help military spouses cope with challenges of single parenthood, whether temporary or permanent? Outreach to military families can be big, like fundraising for surviving spouses and children, or small, like offering a helping hand and listening ear to a neighbor in need.
Start a military ministry
Churches located near military installations have a great opportunity to bring service members, military families, and veterans together through military ministry. Military ministries serve as a support system, a social network, and a safety net to keep service members and their loved ones from falling through the cracks.
Start a child care ministry
One of a military family’s biggest needs is quality, safe, and affordable childcare. While not doable for every organization due to financial and physical constraints, churches and employers that offer child care provide an important community service. If your childcare program is fee-based, consider offering scholarships to military families.
Get veterans back on their feet
Veterans who return from military service encounter challenges transitioning to civilian life. Many face starting over in a new career and a financial system they’re unfamiliar with. Organizations can help veterans find stability and success after military service through educational workshops covering topics like budgeting as a civilian, applying for health insurance, and college financial aid for veterans.
Help a veteran buy a home
Some churches are going the extra mile with housing help for veterans. Churches are starting grant programs for veterans, participating in home building campaigns, and providing one-on-one assistance to veteran homebuyers. Consider who is in your congregation and the skills they can contribute. Do you have experienced builders willing to donate time? What about a real estate agent who can help veterans buy a home with 0 percent down using a VA loan? Programs like these seem lofty at first glance, but they’re often more attainable than we realize.
Give veterans a purpose
For many veterans, the biggest challenges aren’t financial but spiritual. After building a career on the battlefield, many veterans struggle to find their place in the civilian world. In the absence of direction, some veterans end up traveling a dangerous path. That’s why purpose is one of the most impactful gifts you can give a veteran. Purpose may be a new career, but it can also mean volunteering for a cause, mastering a new skill, or learning how to live a healthy lifestyle.
Start somewhere
The worst thing you can do to support our nation’s military is nothing. Whether you’re one individual or the head of a congregation, just start somewhere. Once you commit to supporting the military and start connecting with service members, military spouses, and veterans in your community, you’ll discover the needs that exist and what it takes to meet them.
Thanking a veteran, hanging an American flag, taking a moment of silence to honor lives lost — small gestures like these are valuable, but they don’t go far enough to recognize the sacrifices made by so many American families. If you enjoy the freedoms granted by our great nation’s military, make sure you’re showing your support by giving back in tangible ways like these.
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