Years ago, I listened to a speaker share the words of a song. I was impressed by what he said so I asked him to give me the title of the song.

He complied. When I looked it up, I had a better understanding of why we celebrate our veterans. I want to share this with you today as we prepare for Veterans Day. It is public domain so I am not infringing on any copyright.

What Did He Die For?

By Twila Paris

He was twenty-one in 1944

He was hope and he was courage on a lonely shore

Sent there by a mother with love beyond her tears

Just a young American who chose to rise above his fears

And as I watch him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back

I cannot help but wonder

What did he die for?

When he died for you and me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for?

When he died for me

To the darkest day in A.D. 33

Came the mercy and compassion of eternity

Sent there by a Father with love beyond His tears

Blameless One, the Only Son

To bear the guilt of all these years

And as I watch Him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back

I cannot help but wonder

What did he die for?

When he died for you and me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for?

He died for freedom and

He died for love

And all things we do not pay Him back

Could never be enough

What did He die for?

When He died for you and me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for?

When he died for me

This was written exactly as the writer intended with no added punctuation. The comparison is uncanny.

The soldier and the Savior both died to set us free. Do we honor the veteran? Do we honor the Savior? Both of them deserve our respect. We owe our very lives to these men and women who fought in foreign lands.

We owe our life to our Savior who created us to serve Him and to do His work on earth.

God bless the Veterans — some of them are maimed for life, and God bless our creator and sustainer may we be worthy of their sacrifice!

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, PA. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.