Today, we memorialize all those who gave up their own lives so that we can have freedom in ours. We are profoundly humbled and grateful and forever indebted. Moreover, we learn from their example, as Christ calls us to persevere in faith like soldiers do, to the end. We are praying for all currently serving servicemen and women, your families, and your faiths.

BALAD, Iraq - A chaplain of 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, Washington Army National Guard leads soldiers of 1st Platoon, E Company, 1-161 Inf. in prayer before they depart Joint Base Balad on a convoy security mission. (National Guard photo)

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:1–13

FORT IRWIN, California - A captain, the chaplain assigned to the 25th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, baptizes a sergeant currently serving with the 25th BSB at the U.S. Army's National Training Center in Fort Irwin. The brigade will be deployed to Afghanistan later this year. (U.S. Army)

For more, read Pastor Mark's post on examples of Christian soldiers James, Thomas, Simon, Bartholomew, Andrew, Matthew, Philip, Peter, and John, all of whom died with their boots on. Also, check out the Luke series sermons: "Jesus Calls the Twelve," (Part 23) and  "The Cost of Discipleship" (Part 63).