My son who is in the USAF, arrived home late last night for his 1st Thanksgiving home in 3 years. For the past 2 years he was stationed in Ramstein, Germany. Today we gather around the dinner table with family and friends to share good food, warm laughter, and the happy memories of Thanksgivings past. But for many families, whose loved ones serve in the Armed Forces, this year’s Thanksgiving celebration will not be complete.
A familiar voice will not be heard and a chair at the table will remain empty because, they have someone far from home serving our country.
Today also, members of the Army, Marines, Navy, AirForce and Coastguard (men and women, Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard alike) will gather in mess halls or tents across the globe as friends and comrades to enjoy the tradition of this special day. Pray for those on the front lines, for safety and protection.
So, as those of us who are blessed to be with our families celebrate and give thanks, let us remember in our prayers the homes that have an empty chair at the table and also offer a special prayer of thanksgiving and ask God’s Blessings for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, whose service and sacrifice will, we further pray, make the world a better and safer place. And a very special prayer dear God, for those homes that have an empty chair that will forever remain vacant and for those servicemen and women who have come back to us, may their sacrifice not have been in vain.
