Battle of Britain Sunday

Today I had the honor of singing with the choir for Battle of Britain Sunday for the 71st anniversary of the turning point in WWII and the Royal Air Force's part in it. It was a very well done service, and great to know that this Sunday is used throughout the UK and UK military bases in the world. Though I like history, I am by no means a historian and was unfamiliar with The Battle of Britain. The members of the RAF that are stationed at SHAPE were required to attend this morning, and in dress uniform, it was something to behold. The Americans have the largest amount of troops here, but most of them were no where to be seen on 9/11, which was just sad. The RAF did it in style.
The Padre was a very well spoken man and was easy to listen to. Great deep voice coupled with the British accent, it was good.  He spoke of the generations now not knowing of the glorious history of the UK and that the stories are dying, people don't remember or care.
He also, many times actually, spoke to the thanks that we need to give our veterans, not only from WWII, but from recent conflicts and wars. In the prayers,  he said many things that I'd like to share.
"Let us thank God for the freedoms we enjoy, recalling with gratitude the courage of those who in war served the cause of liberty, especially those who gave their lives so that we might live to the fullest." Yes, I thought, we do need to thank God and our servicemen and women for all they have done and do for us today. Especially for the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice and aren't able to come home and love their families.
"Let us give thanks for the service rendered in peace and in conflict to the peoples of this and of other countries by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Auxiliary Air force; for peace preserved, for peril averted." Again, Yes! Thank you for all that you do, during peace and war for our country and the world. Leaving family and friends behind so that you may follow the mission that you volunteered for as your career. A career with more sacrifices than any other. In the case of the Battle of Britain, if it weren't for the tireless efforts of the RAF, what would our world be like today. What was averted? May we never know.
"Let us pray for all who suffer today for exploitation, greed, or cruelty; and for those who live where there is open warfare or the threat of violence. Let us pray for the leaders of the nations and for all who can influence the course of world events: that they may act with wisdom, discernment, and integrity." You know, I've never been to a service where the "political prayer" has been done so well and completely. My last church was, "Let us pray for our President and God grant him wisdom." Gee, there is a lot more to it, isn't there? Don't we want to pray for the people of Libya, who have done nothing wrong besides been born there? They've lived oppressed under a crazy man for years. What about North Koreans, people from throughout Africa, the civilians of Afghanistan? How blessed are we that we've been born in the United States? How much do we take that for granted? And I loved the part about influencing the course of world events. Wisdom, discernment and integrity. Three very important words in our lives and the lives of politicians. (world leaders, whatever, they are politicians) If there were more integrity, would so many Americans have such hostility towards our country's leaders elected leaders, in general?
Oh, my favorite one. "Let us pray for all who still bear the wounds of war in body, mind or spirit; for veterans and for all who assist them, especially the RAFA, the RAF Widows' Association, the War Widow' Association of GB and the RAF Benevolent Fund; that all who have made sacrifice for the cause of peace may know that peace in their own lives." We forget that if we can't see the effects of war, then they must not be there. There are worse things than losing your hearing or a limb. PTSD, TBI, so many worse things than coming home and needed a prosthetic leg. In this prayer we also thanked those that have lost their loved ones, the widows. Honestly, I don't know if there is a widow's association for the US military. I hope to never find out.
We also prayed for those "still serving in the Middle East and Afghanistan, for their stamina, resilience and courage."  Again, three great words to pray for.
And, as I'm coming to learn with the Brits, afterward we were all invited to some place less formal so we could have a "light snack and enjoy each others' fellowship." You know, it's important to be outside the church so you can have beer and biscuits and chat each other up. What a way to spend a Sunday morning?
Thank you, United States Army, for among many other things, bringing my family here to Belgium, so we may be able to learn from other cultures and see and do things that otherwise would not be possible.