A nice little Memorial Day twist at church this morning.

Lots of churches, on Memorial and/or Veterans Day, ask the vets to stand so everyone can recognize them. We’ve done that. But today, at the beginning of the service, Pastor Tim invited people to stand and mention someone they know, like a relative, who served in the military.

Tim went first. He mentioned his brother Matt, who served in the US Army (until, while on Christmas leave a few years ago, a drunk driver killed him). Other people stood and mentioned a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and others who served in the military–the relationship and the service branch. Sitting at the piano, I offered, “My Dad, and Pam’s dad, both served in the US Army.”

It was a neat way to do it. I liked it.

One of the things I like about going to Branson, Mo., is that most of the shows recognize military vets. Pam and I have taken my parents there twice, in 2002 and 2004, and it always made me proud to see Dad stand. Deeply, profoundly proud.

I’ve always wished that I had served in the military. In 1973, as a 10th grader with the Vietnam War still going, the prospect of being drafted was on my mind. But already, there was a sense that the war was winding down and I wouldn’t need to serve. So it’s not something I worried much about.

But I envy the worthiness, whether at Branson or at Anchor, to stand alongside other vets, acknowledging, “Yes, I served my country.” That’s not something you accomplish. Rather, it’s a gift that you give to your countrymen. That’s a gift I would like to have given.