Why June 6 is the 'Day of Gratitude' for American WWII veterans
Faith has been central to the American experiment. Christianity specifically has had a profound impact on our nation’s leaders over the last 250 years, starting with the Founding Fathers. I’ve often wished I could go back in time to witness some of those great, faith-filled moments in our history.
From the signing of the Declaration of Independence to escape religious oppression, to Lincoln’s emblematic ending of the Gettysburg Address, to the righteous fight against the evil of slavery, faith has been front and center during pivotal moments in our country.
But there is one moment in particular that I would like to witness. It happened in December 1944. Contrary to what many people think, World War II wasn’t a guaranteed victory for the Allies once they took the beaches of Normandy. It was actually quite the opposite, and the real road to victory had to go through the single deadliest battle that U.S. forces fought in WWII: The Battle of the Bulge.
Hitler’s plan was simple. He hoped to divide and isolate the Allied forces and cause such devastating casualties that they would be forced to surrender. To that end, he mobilized over 400,000 German troops to Belgium.
The main objective was to capture the strategically critical town of Bastogne in Belgium, where seven major roads and highways intersected. On Dec. 16, the attack began. The Allies were initially outnumbered two to one, and the Germans were aided by torrential rains and dense fog that kept America’s air support grounded.
As a result, six U.S. infantry regiments quickly surrendered, and Bastogne was cut off by enemy troops. The greatest concern was the weather blocking the air drops so desperately needed to resupply the 101st Airborne Division, led by General George Patton, that was defending the town. Without provisions, the battle would surely be lost.
The rain practically paralyzed Patton’s troops. With his tanks bogged down in the mud, the men of the 101st were cold, wet and close to starving. In response, Patton issued an order that perhaps seemed totally out of character, given his “blood and guts” reputation.
He ordered his men to pray.
Patton directed Chief Chaplain James H. O’Neill to write a prayer requesting God to grant the soldiers a break in the weather. Preserved for posterity and known today as “Patton’s Prayer,” it reads:
Almighty and merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations, Amen.
That prayer was printed on Christmas cards and passed out to the 250,000 soldiers under Patton’s command.
God answered that prayer. History records that, within days, the weather miraculously began to clear, and Patton’s tanks could mobilize. By Dec. 23, aircraft were finally able to resupply the soldiers of the 101st.
After relieving the embattled troops in Bastogne, Allied forces would go on to sweep Hitler’s troops off the map in Western Europe. Some might question whether the prayer made a difference, but Patton certainly did not, choosing to award Chaplain O’Neill a Bronze Star for heroism.
I share this story of faith and heroism because there’s something I think every American needs to know: The Greatest Generation is rapidly slipping away. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, only about 45,000 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in WWII are still alive.
Their precious time with us is coming to an end, so we must seize every opportunity to express our eternal gratitude to those still with us here today. If there’s a WWII veteran in your neighborhood, your church, or your own family, take a moment this year to hear their story. Most importantly, thank God for their courage, express your gratitude to them personally, and find a way to meet a tangible need in their life.
That’s exactly what the upcoming “Day of Gratitude” is all about.
On June 6, the anniversary of D-Day, there will be a special event honoring our heroes at Allegiant Stadium, the home stadium of the Las Vegas Raiders. It’s an entire day dedicated to serving all those who suffered to defend our freedoms, as well as their families.
As we remember the “blood and guts” prayer that helped turn the tide at the Battle of the Bulge, we are reminded that faith is not fragile — it is fierce. The same God who heard the cries of cold and weary soldiers in Bastogne still calls us to pray boldly, live courageously, and trust Him in the fiercest battles of our own day. Victory in 1944 did not come by might alone, but by men who were unashamed to bow their heads before they raised their weapons.
Today, the freedom we enjoy was purchased at a staggering cost. We must never grow numb to the weight of history or forget what it took to get here today. We will never be able to thank God enough for His providence and mercy, and the same goes for the American heroes whose sacrifice secured the liberties we continue to celebrate. We can carry forward their legacy by living with the same courageous faith that once echoed across a frozen battlefield in Belgium.
Wendell Vinson is the co-founder and CEO of CityServe, and senior pastor of Canyon Hills Assembly of God church in Bakersfield, California.
