Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

I have learned over the years that people get confused about holidays.

Veterans Day is often confused with Memorial Day and even with Labor Day weekend. Veterans Day is a public holiday held on the anniversary of the end of World War I, on November 11, to honor U.S. veterans and victims of all wars. Veterans Day replaced Armistice Day in 1954. This holiday is important to families in the military and it honors them for their service.

As a military spouse, I cry at the sound of “Taps” (“Taps” is a bugle call played at dusk, during flag ceremonies, and at military funerals by the United States Armed Forces), hold back the tears for the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and get choked up singing the national anthem — the “Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.” For more than half of my adult life, my family has served the United States of America. Through those years there is a bond and family pride that cannot be broken as one military family understands the sacrifice of another. It is truly brotherly love and true to the very end. No matter the miles apart or years unseen, military families love, honor and respect other military families. These families love America and make sure the freedoms of America are protected at all cost.

The Word tells us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13.) Military families do this all the time. Fundamentally, it is who we are and it is so very true regardless of color, race, status or religion. We honor, protect and serve, and if we have to, die.

When I ponder this verse, God comes to mind. The Word says that he calls me “friend.” (James 2:23), and the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” – and he was called a friend of God. (Exodus 33:11) The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. God is true as His son laid his life down for His friends. “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

From the Garden of Eden where man fell until this present day, there has been a battle for the souls of mankind. A spiritual war rages. At all cost, God saw that mankind needed a savior. He came to earth as the son of God. He provided the sacrifice. I encourage you, if you do not know God, call out to Him as He desires to be your friend through honor, through protection and through service.

Yvette Perrin is a columnist for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.