FOR GOD & COUNTRY
"To all who have worn the uniform of this great nation: We honor your service, your sacrifice, and your commitment.
Thank you for defending our freedoms. God bless our veterans."
A Short Message From Your Chaplain,
Scripture Focus: John 15:13 – "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
When we step into this post, we step into a room where history isn't just something read in books—it’s something lived, carried, and understood. On November 11th our nation pauses to honor all who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces, we gather here in DeBary/Orange City not only to remember past devotion, but to honor the enduring spirit that keeps this brotherhood and sisterhood alive.
Scripture reminds us that true love is expressed through service and selflessness. To put on the uniform is to make a quiet vow: I will stand between my country and harm's way. I will put the safety of others ahead of my own. That commitment didn't disappear when you folded up your uniform or signed your discharge papers. It lives on in the way you care for one another, the way you honor our fallen, and the way you serve our local community.
Service takes a toll. It asks for our youth, our peace, and sometimes pieces of our hearts. But in the quiet moments—in the reflection of what we’ve endured—we find a shared bond that time cannot erase. As your Chaplain, my prayer for each of you today is twofold:
First, that you know the depth of our gratitude. Your sacrifice built the freedom we enjoy today, and your resilience continues to inspire us.
Second, that you find peace in the camaraderie of this post. No veteran ever walks alone. When the weight of memory feels heavy, look to the left and right in this room. You are surrounded by people who understand without you having to say a word.
May God bless our veterans, may God comfort those who still carry invisible wounds, and may God continue to watch over American Legion Post 259.
Chaplain Donald Poole