Veterans Day 2022 | JOY for Today

Thank you, Veterans, for serving to defend our freedoms. Today, we stand JOYFULLY united in honor of you!

JOY for Today Offerings:

• Did You Know... Three we didn't.
• Wolfe Stew Connects To a war we all fight.
• Bible Verses and Quotes Inspired by veterans.
• Activity Suggestions Informational resources, letter-writing templates, bulletin board ideas, Would You Rather questions, and family challenge.

Did You Know:

1. Veterans Day does not have an apostrophe? Because the day is for honoring ALL veterans, the apostrophe is intentionally absent. No one individual or veteran group owns the day, so no apostrophe is necessary. (Defense.gov)
2. Veterans Day and Memorial Day serve different purposes? Veterans Day honors everyone who has served - whether in war or peace, still living or deceased. While Memorial Day honors soldiers who died while fighting or as a result of fighting. Mostly, the intention of Veterans Day is to express our thankfulness to veterans for their sacrifice. (Defense.gov)
3. The date of November 11th holds historical significance? The fighting in WWI ended when the Allies and Germany agreed to an armistice at 11:00 on the 11th day of the 11th month. Originally named "Armistice Day," it became Veterans Day following the Korean War. (Defense.gov)
4. It was briefly celebrated in October? To extend the holiday and support travel, Congress - in 1968 - chose October's fourth Monday to honor Veterans Day. However, they waited until 1971 to roll out the new date. Many states were confused about the change and ignored it by continuing to honor the familiar date in November. The celebration officially returned to November's 11th day in 1978. (Defense.gov)
5. Various versions of Veterans Day exist worldwide? Also celebrated on November 11th, Remembrance Day honors soldiers who died because of war in Canada, Australia, and Great Britain.  (Defense.gov)

We'd Love to Know:

Which fact was new to you?

Wolfe Stew Connects

Veterans, we salute you! Thank you for the sacrifice you made and continue to make as the stressors of your service continue affecting your life. While we may never fully understand the price you paid and continue to pay, we deeply thank you for the protection, freedom, and fortitude that we benefit from because of your efforts. You chose to fight on our behalf and in response we choose to pay back the honor that is due. 

In many countries, being a soldier is not a choice. But, in choosing to serve, our soldiers exhibit patriotism, resolve, and courage. 

In life, being a soldier is not a choice. Although some of us refuse to acknowledge the war, those who acknowledge it exhibit faithfulness, resolve, and courage. The war we all fight is detailed in Ephesians 6:12:

We're not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places. (VOICE)

Some of us are unwitting participants and others engage knowingly, but we are all at war. It is the eternal war of light vs. darkness; good vs. evil; God vs. Satan. It is the war in which Jesus has already claimed victory.

But right now, today, your military tactics matter. You are choosing a side with every thought you give freedom to, every action you take, and each word you speak - whether you realize it or not. If you're not fighting with faithfulness, resolve, and courage for God, you are opening yourself for use by Satan. To hold your ground, use every piece of God's armor:

1. The belt of truth tight around your waist for discernment
2. The breastplate of God's approval (righteousness) protecting your heart
3. Shoes that equip you to preach the good news of peace with God wherever you go
4. The shield of faith that thwarts Satan's fiery attacks
5. The helmet of salvation to guard your mind and identity
6. The sword of the Spirit - which is the Word of God - as your weapon

And pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit's wishes. Plead with Him. And keep praying earnestly for all the saints (adapted from Ephesians 6:14-18).  

We are all soldiers: you and me. Even if you've never enlisted in an earthly military, you are enlisted in a spiritual one.  And, through Christ, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)!

If you struggle to recognize or embrace your conqueror identity, join us for our GROWTH focus next week. Each day we will undergo short, but impactful, Bible based exercises to train us in accepting our conqueror identity. Let's accept our title, Conqueror!

For Reflection:

What battle are you facing? How might each piece of God's armor help you through it?

Bible Verses and Quotes 

Bible Verses

• "Pay all that you owe, whether it is taxes and fees or respect and honor." - Romans 13:7 CEV
• "Love others well, and don't hide behind a mask; love authentically. Despise evil; pursue what is good as if your life depends on it. Live in true devotion to one another, loving each other as sisters and brothers. Be first to honor others by putting them first. Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord. Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer. Share what you have with the saints, so they lack nothing; take every opportunity to open your life and home to others." Romans 12:9-13 VOICE
• "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 KJV
• "As a good soldier of Christ Jesus, you must endure your share of suffering." 2 Timothy 2:3 CEV
• "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 MEV

Quotes

• "We don't know them all, but we owe them all." - Unknown
• "Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul." - Michel de Montaigne
• "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." - Joseph Campbell
• "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." - Jose Narosky
• "We sleep peaceably in our beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on our behalf." - George Orwell

We'd Love to Know:

Which verse or quote would you choose to use in honor of a veteran?

 

Activity Suggestions

Honor Veterans in your classrooms or homes with a few of these ideas we've stewed on for you.

Our Nephew's Suggestion:

Dress up as a soldier or play with toy soldiers.

If your learner is still in a dressing up kind of mood, here are some soldier costume and armor of God ideas for your consideration.

Our Suggestions: 

Learn about Veterans 

• PreK & K Military Branches Puzzles from Fantastic Fun and Learning
• 2nd-3rd Book Suggestions and Craft at Evan Moor
• 4th-6th Kid-Friendly Military Facts at Kiddle
  

Write a Thank You Letter

• PreK-1st Premade colorable thank you cards from Danielle Mastandrea via Teachers pay Teachers
• 2nd-3rd Veterans Day Thank You Resources including a coloring page, description brainstorming page, and letter writing template from Little Zizzers
• 4th-6th Operation Gratitude Letter Writing Campaign and Template from Mrs. Willyerd

Make a Bulletin Board

• Handprint flag from Mrs. Willyerd
• One for each military branch Pinterest pin
• Characteristics of a soldier from Supply Me

Discuss "Would You Rather...?" Questions. Daily, holiday themed Would You Rather questions that includes three questions for each September, October, and November day. Would you rather...

• Provide medical assistance or food?
• Help with natural disasters or interpret for others?
• Do maintenance on military land or air vehicles?

Family Challenge 

Find a way to honor Veterans as a family. Discuss sacrifices Veterans make and how we benefit from them. Consider ways to show patriotism, resolve, and courage in your own lives.

We'd Love to Know:

A go-to Veterans Day activity of yours.

We’re excited to share one more day with you and wish you JOY for Today and HOPE for Tomorrow. Come back next week for...World Kindness Day!

Fighting the Good Fight with You,

Find even more JOY for Today in our monthly calendars, holiday, and seasonal posts.