Salute to the Troops

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Tim. 6:12

The United States Military is made up of five armed service branches--the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard. Veteran's Day recognized every November 11, honors America's Veterans for their service to our country.

The Air Force protects American interests at home and abroad with a focus on air power. It operates fighter aircraft, tanker aircraft, light and heavy bomber aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters. The Air Force is also responsible for all military satellites and controls strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. It routinely participates in peacekeeping, humanitarian, and aeromedical evacuation missions. Air Force crews annually fly missions into all but five nations of the world and can deliver forces anywhere in the world in less than forty-eight hours.

The Navy delivers combat-ready naval forces while maintaining security in the air and at sea. Navy ships can attack land targets from miles away with very heavy guns and cruise missiles. Navy submarines allow stealth attacks on our enemies from right off their shores. In times of conflict, the Navy helps to supplement Air Force air power, since Navy aircraft carriers can often deploy to areas where fixed runways are impossible. An aircraft carrier usually carries about 80 aircraft, mostly fighters or fighter-bombers. The Navy is also primarily responsible for transporting Marines to areas of conflict.

The Marine Corps is often first on the ground in combat situations. Marines specialize in amphibious operations; their primary specialty is to assault, capture, and control beachheads, which then provide a route to attack the enemy from almost any direction. The Marine Corps maintains ready expeditionary forces, sea-based and integrated air-ground units for contingency and combat operations, and the means to stabilize or contain international disturbance. The Marine Corps is an immediate response force that can be used to overwhelm the enemy.

The Army is the oldest branch of the U.S. Military, and protects the security of the United States and its resources with ground troops, armor, artillery, and other weapons. Established on June 14, 1775, the U.S. Army was essential to the U.S. gaining independence because of the bravery of its soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Today, more than two centuries later, its members continue to defend and protect our country and our people.

Here's an interesting fact, during World War II the U.S. Military ordered the production of more than 2,400 pianos, called "Victory Verticals", to be delivered to troops across the globe for the purpose of improving morale. Soldiers gathered around the piano to listen and sing popular songs, patriotic tunes, easy classics and hymns.

If you are a U.S. veteran or currently serve in any branch of the U.S. Military, I salute you with deep respect and admiration. Thank you for your service. Your service made it possible for all of us to be the country we are today.

We all are in a battle in this world. We may not see it, we might forget it's there, but a spiritual warfare is all around us. The enemy does everything he can to start you off with discouragement and defeat, bringing fear and anxiety.

Despite the enemy's attacks, we can live each day in the victory Christ has won for us. But our ability to stand firm will only be as strong as our relationship with God. Therefore, prayer is such an important weapon in spiritual warfare. We are defenseless without it. Through prayer we remain connected with God, who equips us for battle and enables us to resist temptation. The Lord who conquered sin shares his victory with us! The power of sin has been defeated by the One who has delivered us from evil, and he is also the One who has taught us to pray.

The question is not whether you want to be in this war. Everyone is in it. Either we are defeated by the devil and thus follow him like cattle to the slaughter, or we are resisting him. The apostle Peter urges us "resist him, firm in your faith!" (1 Peter 5:9). Furthermore, the apostle Paul reassures us "but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57

Would you sing with me "Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on."?

The U.S. Air Force
Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em now, Give 'em the gun!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

Anchors Aweigh - U.S. Navy
Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh!
Farewell to foreign Shores, we sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay;
Through our last night ashore, drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more, here's wishing you a happy voyage home!

The Marine's Hymn
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
On the land as on the sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.

The Caissons Go Rolling Along - U.S. Army
Over hill, over dale
As we hit the dusty trail,
And the caissons go rolling along.
In and out, hear them shout,
Counter march and right about,
And the caissons go rolling along.

Battle Hymn of the Republic
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.