A Word of Thanks for our Military and Chaplains

As we reflect on our Freedom during the Fourth of July celebrations, I think back to when I was a Commissioner to the General Assembly in 1999. My great uncle was a Presbyterian Navy Chaplain, and  I was aware that there had never been a General Assembly word of thanks to our military and chaplains in the midst of all the challenges they face.  I wrote this Commissioners Resolution which was passed by the General Assembly.  It is a thank-you and a prayer of hope for a Kingdom of Peace that shall one day be for all people:

Approved without objection, and sent to the churches of the PCUSA in a letter.
Commissioners Resolution 99-21.On Acknowledging the Heritage of the Christian Faith.

The 211th General Assembly (1999) makes the following statement:
We offer a word of compassionate thanks to our parents and grandparents, our friends and neighbors---all the men and women in military service who presented themselves as living sacrifices to preserve our freedom on those occasions in this century when such freedoms were in jeopardy. We thank our chaplains who faithfully ministered to congregations that daily laid down their lives for those whom they loved with their last full measure of devotion. We speak our living words while we may yet look into their living eyes with our hearts of thanks. We pray that in the century yet to come God will grant us leadership, vision, courage, and wisdom to work for the day when war shall be no more, and all nations shall be reconciled in Christ. We commit ourselves to lead lives worthy of Christs sacrifice for us, and worthy of the love of those who also sacrificed themselves that we might lead all people to a Kingdom of Peace.

Sam P. Marshall III
General-Executive Presbyter
Salem Presbytery
Presbyterian Church USA