Thankful For Their Service

By F. D. Adkins

He marches into Valley Forge with a group of weary soldiers worn from lost battles. It is just a few days until Christmas, but if Americans were ever to be free of British control, these men would have to sacrifice. In need of a place to camp for the winter, he believes this is the perfect spot. It has been said one should keep the enemy close. Well, this is close enough to keep his sights on the British in Philadelphia without being a sitting duck for an ambush. The general looks around at his men. About a third of them do not even have shoes much less the right clothing to endure the cold temperatures.

Shelter is the first priority, so the soldiers got busy. With dirt floors and a sheet for the door, twelve men would have to cram in each 16 x 14-foot space, but at least it was protection from the bitter weather. He writes a letter requesting food and supplies, but his soldiers continue to starve. He looks around at the camp and knows where he has to go for help. The general trudges into the woods alone, drops to his knees, and asks God to come to their aid.

Months later, the general sees the big picture. Even though his army lost about 2500 men, the time spent at Valley Forge turned the war around. Baron von Steuben, a former Prussian captain, got the soldiers in shape and ready for battle with an intense training regimen. General Nathaniel Greene came and built roads so the supplies could get through. On top of that, the French joined their effort. That cold day in the woods, his plea had been heard.

***

The above is a historical fiction account of George Washington at Valley Forge. The story of his prayer in the woods is debated by many, but he was reported to have been seen praying several times. According to “Thanksgiving” on MountVernon.org, George Washington issued a proclamation assigning November 26 as a national day of thanks. This should be proof that he knew who was responsible for helping his army, and this should be proof of the foundations of faith that our country was founded upon. In 1982, Ronald Reagan said, “I’ve said before that the most sublime picture in American history is of George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. That image personifies a people who know that it’s not enough to depend on our own courage and goodness; we must also seek help from God, our Father and Preserver” (Reagan, LibQuotes).

***

Ecclesiastes 3:8 says there is “… a time of war, and a time of peace” (KJV). Obviously, peace is the preferred time, but even in the Bible, there was a time for war. Sometimes war is necessary to eliminate or stop evil. God commanded the Israelites to defeat the Canaanites because of the evil cultural practices of these people. Not only were the Canaanites practicing idolatry by worshipping false gods, but they were also sacrificing their children to these false gods. “…or every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods” (Deuteronomy 12:31 KJV). In Deuteronomy 9, Moses tells the Israelites that is not because of their goodness they are entering the promised land, but because of the evil of these other nations that God is driving out. “Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee” (Deuteronomy 9:4 KJV).

And then, in the book of Revelation, we are told about the Battle of Armageddon. Jesus will return with his army and destroy evil once and for all. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God…. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19:11-15, 20 KJV).

***

This week, we celebrate Veteran’s Day. Just as the Bible says there is a time for war, many have sacrificed to protect innocent people and stop forces of evil. Many have sacrificed for the freedoms that all too often are taken for granted. The list of freedoms granted in the Constitution did not come without a price. Stopping Hitler did not come without a price. Protecting our country from terrorists does not come without a price. And it is our veterans that paid that price. My husband paid that price, my father-in-law paid that price, and our grandfathers paid that price.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 KJV

When my father-in-law and my grandfather passed, the flag was presented during the military honors funeral service. The American flag is more than a symbol to represent the United States. The American flag is a symbol of the sacrifices that our veterans have made for us as United States citizens. When I see the flag, I think of those that lost their lives. I think of the families that lost a loved one. I think of the horrors these soldiers endured. I think of the time missed with family…the missed holidays, the missed firsts with children, the missed time from chasing their own dreams so I could chase mine.

Let’s honor our veterans and the flag that symbolizes what they fought for. And let’s remember the faith our country was founded upon.

“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God,

then we will be a nation gone under.”

                                                                                               ___Ronald Reagan

Happy Veteran’s Day

Sources:

“American Revolution: Valley Forge.” Ducksters, https://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/valley_forge.php. Accessed 3 Nov. 2021.

Reagan, Ronald. BrainyQuote, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ronald_reagan_385754. Accessed 3 Nov. 2021.

Reagan, Ronald. “Ronald Reagan Quote,” LibQuotes. https://libquotes.com/ronald-reagan/quote/lbu5s2o. Accessed 3 Nov. 2021.

“Thanksgiving.” MountVernon.org, https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/thanksgiving/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2021.

“The Prayer at Valley Forge.” Revolutionary War and Beyond, https://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/prayer-at-valley-forge-2.html. Accessed 3 Nov. 2021.

“Valley Forge.” History, 24 Oct. 2019, https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/valley-forge.