Pastor's Pen

November 13, 2011

We welcome to our pulpit at 10:55 a.m., Minister Juanita Hall, our guest speaker for Nurses Day and Veterans Day, Her biographical sketch appears in this week’s Spirit. We are grateful for her presence with us today, and look forward to the inspirational message she will deliver.

Congratulations to our Veterans Day, and Nurses Anniversary Committees for working together on this year’s shared observance. Cooperation is pleasing to God and extols his Kingdom. We commend these committees for their selfless, supportive efforts.

Shiloh is blessed to have a number of members who have served with distinction in every branch of the Armed Forces. Our members sacrificed greatly, often risking their lives in engagements such as Normandy Beach in France, the 39th Parallel in Korea, the Tet offensive in Vietnam, the first Gulf War, Bagdad in Iraq, Fallujah in Afghanistan, and others.

Over the years, our Nation has engaged in wars in which many of us have not agreed. However, our support of our troops has never wavered. Sometimes, as African Americans, we fought for freedoms we did not enjoy at home. Some of us can remember listening to World Wars I and II veterans discussing in barber shops, beauty salons, and in the Black press how the very enemies we were in death struggles with overseas could now buy homes in neighborhoods in the US where we were excluded. However, in spite of our Nation’s racism, we served bravely.

On this Veterans Day, we congratulate all those who aided our country. We also thank God for the nurses who have been such a vital part of the Shiloh family over the years. Together they have provided us with an excellent worship and celebration.