By Dee Ann Anigian, Senior Warden, and Julie Allen, Warden-At-Large
“Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Each year near Veterans Day, we gather at Saint Michael to pay tribute to the extraordinary individuals who have worn the uniform of our nation’s armed forces. Veterans Day is a solemn promise to remember, and we are proud that our church honors the service of our veterans with this joyful and meaningful service. When those who serve our country put aside their own personal safety and comfort in order to serve and protect the rest of us, they set an example for us all.
If you have attended before, you know that the sanctuary is bursting with pride and respect. The spectacular patriotic music is a gift in itself! And at the end of the service, when we watch veterans from each branch process forward during the playing of the song for their particular branch of service, we all share a very special moment!
So when we gather to celebrate and honor the sacrifice made by those among us who have stepped forward to serve our country, honoring them with song and with prayer, we hope you’ll join us for this special occasion. Join us if you served, or are serving our country. Let us pray over you and thank you for stepping forward. Join us if you love someone who served, or is serving our country. Let us pray over you and acknowledge the hardship and sacrifice of caring for those who put themselves in harm’s way on our behalf. Join us if you love this country and appreciate that some among us will step forward and put their own personal freedoms and comforts aside in order to protect all of us. We look forward to seeing you on November 9!
**This article was written by Dee Ann Anigian and Julie Allen and was featured in the 2025–26 Winter Archangel.
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