This November 11, we pause to honor the men and women who have served our country in any capacity—those who have gone to foreign lands, missed countless important days with friends and family, and especially those who have sent those they love off to uncertain futures. While this day of remembrance does carry heavy grief at all that may have been lost, it also can be an opportunity for us to remind those we cherish how thankful we are for the character gained in service, the memories made with strangers who became family, and the hope instilled because of the example of sacrifice to us all.
We celebrate Veterans Day not just to remember the battles fought, but to honor the courage, faith, and selflessness that came before an assignment and endure long after the uniforms are hung up. True service is an act of love, and whether they know it or not, every veteran lives out the calling we all have as Christ followers:
No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.
—John 15:13
In so many ways, Veteran’s Day is its own mini-Thanksgiving; we can express specific gratitude for freedom and all it provides us. Freedom isn’t merely the absence of constraints or a simple “no,” it’s the gift of choice. To have our freedom is to have the ability to make our own path, to forge ahead in whatever direction God has laid before us, and to choose how we want to spend our lives.
At WeShare, we hold this same vision close to our hearts. Just as our veterans have fought to protect freedom for us all, we hope to carry out that same legacy of service as we care for our Members who have entrusted their lives to us. We see the defense of personal freedom in everyone’s health and well-being as vital to the ability to choose the kind of life you want to live. When you can receive quality preventative care, you’re freed from the weight of wondering if you’re okay. When you have access to partners you know and trust, you’re cared for when unexpected challenges arise. When you have a community that shares these same values, you never face those situations alone.
On this Veterans Day, we remember those who gave us the opportunity to live freely and fully. And we also remember that freedom is something we continue to nurture each day in how we live, love, and care for one another.
