Happy Birthday to the United States Army, which this weekend celebrates 250 years of service to our nation.
Earlier this week, as preparations were underway for a military parade through our nation’s capital, I went for an early morning run on the National Mall. I had to navigate around tanks, personnel carriers, and helicopters staged for the celebration. It brought back some memories, but I must admit — it was jarring to see tanks with the Washington Monument in the background. It reminded me of similar scenes after 9/11, when military vehicles were stationed around the Pentagon and throughout parts of the city — not exactly a comforting sight.
Don’t misunderstand me. As a Marine veteran and as an American, I fully support celebrating our military’s history and honoring the men and women who serve. But in doing so, we must never forget where our true strength and protection come from.
The warrior-king David wrote in Psalm 20: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Yes, a strong military is vital for peace in today’s turbulent world. But history teaches us that military might alone is not enough. We need the protective hand of God.
Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana (R) said earlier this week, “Confidence is silent. Insecurities are loud. When you’re the most powerful nation in all of human history, you don’t have to show it off — like Russia, North Korea, or China.” Perhaps a history lesson is in order to remind us where we’ve looked in the past for help in uncertain times.
In February of 1954, during the height of the Cold War, Rev. George Docherty of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church delivered a sermon with President Dwight D. Eisenhower — former Supreme Allied Commander — sitting in the front pew. Rev. Docherty lamented the absence of the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and argued that the ultimate defense against atheistic communism was not superior firepower but spiritual conviction.
Three days later, a bill was introduced in Congress to add the words “under God” to the pledge. On Flag Day — June 14, 1954 — President Eisenhower signed it into law, stating: “From this day forward, millions of school children will daily proclaim the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty.”
As we celebrate 250 years of military service, let us also renew our commitment to being one nation under God — relying not merely on the strength of our arms, but on the sovereignty of the One who truly guards a nation.
