Romans 13:17 reminds us to render honor to whom honor is due. This coming Sunday, November 11 th is Veterans Day, the day we honor the more than 23.7 million military veterans living in the United States today. If there is one group of people who deserves our honor and gratitude, it’s our military veterans.

Almost all of us know a veteran or are related to one. Some of you listening are veterans. You served in WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or have served in one of our many military bases or other campaigns worldwide. As an organization, we proudly employ a retired Army colonel, Art Zuleger, as Director of Church Development. Art served over a year in Iraq as recently as 2005. And just last week, one of our young employees was deployed to Germany for three years of active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, after having served in Iraq a couple of years ago. We’re all very proud of our veterans, and we have a reason to be. They’ve given us a rich heritage of loyalty, sacrifice and service.

Friends, we have a responsibility here. Like the veterans we respect and honor, we too must be vigilant to defend the freedoms they fought for. The headlines in the media are a daily reminder that freedom isn’t free, and that our rights are under attack. The freedoms your family members and friends willingly offered, and continue to offer, their lives to protect are besieged every day at the local, state and national levels.

The First Amendment of our Constitution guarantees us the freedom of religion. Of all the freedoms men and women had sacrificed their lives for in the American War of Independence, the freedom of religion was foremost on the minds of the Founding Fathers.

Throughout the life of this nation, our men and women in uniform have courageously offered their services and their lives to protect the liberties established in our Constitution. Our veterans deserve to be honored and to be able to enjoy the freedoms they gave so much to defend. Only last month, however, our own government tried to take away one of those basic freedoms.

At military funerals in our 125 national cemeteries, Veterans Administration volunteers traditionally fold the US flag while reciting the significance of each fold, ending with the 11 th and 12 th folds, which honor, in the words of the recitation, “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” and “God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost,” respectively. The volunteer explains when the flag is completely folded, that the stars are uppermost as a reminder of our national motto, “In God we trust.”

After receiving just one complaint, the Veterans Administration banned employees and volunteers from reciting this traditional flag-folding recitation. This beautiful ceremony and statement, conducted in honor of the death of a veteran, was banned in its entirety because it contained references to the Judeo-Christian God. This is bigotry against Christianity in direct defiance of our First Amendment rights. Our veterans were denied one of the very rights they fought to protect, at their own funerals, an event that should honor their service and memory!

However, thanks to public outcry at this outrageous new policy, the VA rescinded its ban, allowing volunteer honor guards to recite the text if it’s requested by next of kin. If you were one of those veterans or regular citizens who contacted someone in government about this outrageous situation, thank you. Your voice was heard and made a difference.

In addition to speaking out on such issues, we also need to be diligent in prayer for the safety of our military men and women who are serving at this moment throughout the world. They’re defending our freedoms and values and ensuring our safety, and they deserve all the support we can give. If you have a relative who is veteran or know someone who is a veteran, please take time this coming Sunday to acknowledge their role in securing your safety and freedom. I believe it’s altogether appropriate for churches to give special recognition to those in their congregations who have served or are serving in our nation’s military.

We are proud of the 448,324 veterans who live in the great state of Wisconsin. We at Wisconsin Family Council want to thank these veterans who have served this country faithfully. We’re grateful for your sacrifice, your service and your courage. We know that we owe the freedoms and values we hold so dear and the safety we enjoy to your valiant efforts. Thank you for your commitment to your state and your country. We salute you and give you the honor due you for your service to us. May God richly bless you.

For Wisconsin Family Council, I’m Julaine Appling reminding you the Prophet Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.