Honoring Our Veterans — Warrior Shepherds Among Us
Today we honor the men and women who have worn the uniform, those who have stood on the front lines to protect freedom and defend others. Thank you to my dad and brother!
But for many veterans, their mission doesn’t end when their military service does. Instead, it transforms. They become warrior shepherds, carrying both the courage of a warrior and the compassion of a shepherd. They continue to stand guard, not on foreign soil, but in our communities, guiding, protecting, and lifting up others. There are many veterans in our community who exemplify this and have stepped up to lead the way. Thank you for being an example and leader to others. And thank you to those that didn’t serve in the military, but also step up and lead the way to serve our veterans and our communities. God bless you!
These veterans often fight new battles, physical and many of them invisible, against PTSD and other mental health struggles. And when a veteran struggles, their family often bears the weight as well. The spouses, children, and loved ones of our veterans feel those unseen battles too. That’s why it’s so important to not only check in on our veterans, but also their families. Support, understanding, and prayer can go a long way in helping them all carry the load together. Many of these veterans and families you may not know are struggling because they don’t want to become a burden to others, or they just don’t know how to talk about it.
When I see a veteran with their family, I make a point to thank not only the veteran but also their loved ones. Having experienced life in a military family firsthand, I know the sacrifices they make behind the scenes. Spouses bear a heavy burden, holding the family together while their husbands or wives are deployed, at war, overseas, or on mission. Their courage, faith, and strength make it possible for our service members to do what they do. Thank you, Mom!
As warrior shepherds, our veterans continue to serve by leading with compassion and standing firm in faith. They now put on the armor of God, standing ready not for physical war, but for spiritual warfare, showing love, guidance, and protection in their communities, and walking alongside other men and women who still need a battle buddy.
Check in on a veteran. Check in on their family. Listen. Encourage. Pray. And help them find resources to get help. Because sometimes the toughest fights are the ones no one sees.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” — Matthew 18:20
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17
“The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name.” — Exodus 15:3
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
“Consider it pure joy… because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2–4
“See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” — Isaiah 48:10
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” — Ephesians 6:10–18
To all our veterans, thank you for continuing to lead, protect, and serve as warrior shepherds in our world today. Your courage and compassion still light the way. We honor you. We stand with you. We thank you. God bless you.
CHAZAQ!
Your humble servant and warrior shepherd,
Robert Hartmann, U.S. Veteran.
