The Salute Seen Around The World

     While yesterday's post pointed out the scurrilous attempts by Army powers to create bias against certain Christian organizations, today's post will focus on the inspirational element of the Army .... the character of the troops themselves.
     As you know, my heart swells with pride every time I get the opportunity to visit with Army veterans at Fort Sam Houston.  Their commitment to their "job", and their faithfulness to their duty is above reproach.  So now I bring you another story that you may already be aware of, but it certainly bears repeating if one more person can hear it for the first time.
     The scene is as follows:  Josh Hargis, a U.S. Army Ranger, is on a mission in Afghanistan to capture a high value target.  A woman wearing a suicide vest sets off a string of 13 IEDs, killing several members of Josh's unit, and leaving Josh with extensive wounds.  After hanging on for over two hours until he could be rescued, Josh is air-flighted to Germany where he lies in a hospital bed after enduring hours of surgery.  The multitude of bandages and tubes give evidence to the seriousness of his wounds.
     As is customary, a Purple Heart ceremony was held at the hospital, where Josh's commanding officer pinned his military decoration to the blanket that covered him.  The ceremony took place with an unconscious Josh in his hospital bed, surrounded by other Rangers, nurses and hospital staff.  At least, they thought he was unconscious.  And in a letter to Ranger Hargis's wife, Taylor, his commanding officer related exactly what happened:

      “During the presentation the [Ranger Regimental] Commander publishes the official orders verbally, and leaned over Josh to thank him for his sacrifice. Josh, whom everybody in the room (over 50 people) assumed to be unconscious, began to move his right arm under the blanket in a diligent effort to salute the commander as is customary during these ceremonies,” the letter read. ”Despite his wounds, wrappings, tubes and pain, Josh fought the doctor who was trying to restrain his right arm and rendered the most beautiful salute any person in that room had ever seen.”
     In this emotional moment, “grown men began to weep and we were speechless at a gesture that speak volumes about Josh’s courage and character,” the letter continued. “The picture, which we believe belongs on every news channel and every news paper is attached. I have it hanging above my desk now and will remember it as the single greatest event I have witnessed in my 10 years in the Army.”
     What you don't know about this young man is even more impressive.  A broken femur during a high school skiing trip, nearly kept him out of the Army.  After being declined for service three or four times, Josh still wouldn't give up.  He petitioned the Surgeon General by letter, and was finally accepted.  At Fort Benning, he realized his dream of becoming an Army Ranger.

     So I am doing my small part in making sure that Josh's courage, determination and respect for his country are shown around the world.  This small blog may not be seen by huge numbers, but it is blessed with readers from Russia, India, China, Pakistan, Canada, Republic of Georgia, and many more.  I want people across this globe to understand that America is not defined by our foreign or domestic policies; we are much more than the face of our politicians.  We are a nation of individuals like Josh, who take pride in what this country stands for.  Josh, and his wife, are examples of the lengths to which we will go to preserve our God-given rights to live in freedom.  (Josh's sister, Angela, is also in the Army, serving right here at Fort Sam Houston).  I don't know if Josh Hargis is a Believer or not, but I'm pretty sure that God is not finished with this young man.  His bravery and spirit are truly an inspiration to us all.



Philippians 4:13      "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

The Blessings Are All Mine

     If you have been reading my blog for awhile, then you know that our military is close to my heart, and that I love serving our wounded warriors through a ministry called Angel Chefs.  We go for a 4-5 day stay at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, and provide 3 home-cooked meals a day for the residents of the 4 Fisher Houses on Post.

Me, my mother-in-law serving our soldiers

     Each time I make the trip I come home physically exhausted from 13 hours on my feet, as our little group of 7-8 women chop, sauté, scramble eggs, fry bacon, bake cakes, cook casseroles, make salads and then serve 80 plates of food each meal, every meal, for the entirety of our stay.  Our mornings begin at 6 when we provide breakfasts for some soldiers as they head off to formation; for children headed off to school and whose lives have been disrupted by a sudden move to be close to their wounded parent; or for their wives who are tasked with keeping things together while their loved one is recuperating from the devastating injuries of war.
     And each time, I am blessed to make the most amazing connections with courageous men and women who have been on the front lines, or family members that are now called on for support as their soldier fights to come back from life-changing wounds.  This time was no exception.
      I met brothers Greg and Johnny Hall when I asked if I could join them at their table one day during lunch.  It was my time to take a break from the serving line and grab a bite to eat and get to know some of the people we were serving.  The first thing I noticed about the brothers was their bond.  Greg, the older brother, was Johnny's non-military medical assistant.  He had left his life in the civilian sector to come take care of his brother as he navigated the complexities of the medical system within the vast military complex.  There was no resentment; only devotion and it was inspiring to behold.

Johnny, and his wife, Rachel

     This last June, Johnny had developed blood poisoning from a mysterious source, which resulted in 105-degree fever for five days, and an eventual stroke, coma, loss of brain function, and blindness in his right eye.  But to look at him, you knew that multiple miracles had taken place.  There were no outside signs of the hell he had been through.  In fact, doctors had first told the family that he would not make it, but yet here he was, a mere 3 1/2 months later, talking and smiling and engaging all at the table with his infectious smile.  When I asked Greg how his brother was able to recover so quickly, he simply said, "It was a God thing."  And that opened the door for one of the most positive discussions I've encountered during my many visits to the Fisher Houses.
     We discussed the power of prayer and the existence of angels, and Johnny proudly showed me his magnificent tattoo of the Archangel Michael which graced the entire deltoid/bicep region of his left arm.  In fact, Johnny had several prominent tattoos.  With the damage to the frontal lobe of his brain, he was very talkative and eager to share all of his thoughts.  He confided that while he liked all of his tattoos because they each had special meaning to him, if he could start over he would not get any tattoos at all.  I asked him why, and he replied, "Because God doesn't want me marking up my body."  This boy knew his Scripture! (Leviticus 19:28)
     The brothers continued to tell us how blessed and thankful they were; and then Johnny revealed the biggest reason he was happy to still be alive .... his wife, Rachel, who is also in the Army, is due to deliver their first baby, a daughter, within the next couple of weeks.  Johnny kept repeating that if his family had listened to the doctors and given up hope, he would not be here to meet his new daughter, whose name will be Adalyn.
     It was nice to hear God's name mentioned this trip.  In fact, He seemed to be present more this time, which was a nice change from the absence I have felt in the past.  A visit with an Army chaplain let us know that there seems to be increased interest in Bible studies on Post, and a uniformed officer offered one of the most direct and inspirational blessings before we served one lunch-time meal.  Then there was Terri, a grandmother who was distraught that her injured grandson seemed to be so angry over his burn injuries.  She told us that he had no idea how many people had been praying for his recovery, and that the progress he was making was evidence that God listened.  As tears welled in her eyes, she said, "I'm not crying because I'm sad; I'm crying because I am so thankful!"  
     And there was so much to be thankful for this trip!  My service at the Fisher Houses though Angel Chefs have resulted in relationships that are permanent and ongoing.  Right before I left, our group was surprised with a visit from one of our favorite Fisher House alumni.  I got to spend a short time with Dan and his wife, Ginnette and their beautiful daughters Kaylee and Gracie.  Dan captured our hearts on my first visit to Fort Sam, and we have followed his progress as he went from wheelchair to prosthetic limb to running in races.  He and his family have graduated from Fisher House to their own home, and he is eager to come visit us and join PLW in a hog hunt.  His heartfelt hug told me that Dan is doing just fine.

Ryan and Alana Matayka

     But perhaps the most poignant evidence that God is alive and well within our military family is the story of Sgt. Ed Matayka.  If you remember the post from my first visit, then you will remember Ed.  He had suffered severe injuries from an IED, which resulted in the amputation of both legs.  But Ed is a fighter and was determined that he would return to a normal life.  His amazing sense of humor brightened our days on that first trip, but we hadn't been able to reconnect on any subsequent visits.  This time, when Ed heard the Angel Chefs were at the Fisher Houses, he came by one day at lunch to proudly show off pictures of his twin son and daughter!  He was one proud Papa!  And of course, we loved celebrating the blessings of his children with him!
     But these stories of Johnny, Dan and Ed are just a symbol of the fighting spirit of our military.  Not all the stories have such happy endings as these three.  There is grievous suffering and sadness at the horrific physical price our service men and women pay for the decisions made by our leadership.  (More on that in tomorrow's post).  But for today, I choose to honor their resiliency, their strength and their courage.  They give new meaning to the words "hope" and "fighting spirit".  May God bless them all and allow me to continue to give back in my own small way.

Psalm 16:8    "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."

Greatest Generation Proves Their Mettle Again

     They are called  The Greatest for a reason.  In the midst of the circus called "the government shutdown", a group of Honor Flight veterans from WWII arrived in Washington, D.C. to visit their memorial.  The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home.  It undoubtedly symbolizes the defining event in the 20th Century American experience.

     A group of nearly 100 veterans, many of them in wheelchairs, had left their homes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in anticipation of their visit to this Memorial that honored them.  They knew that  the itinerary for their trip would be in limbo yesterday as national lawmakers failed to meet a midnight deadline to reach a government spending bill agreement.  The National Park Service had said it would close all national parks and possibly even barricade all of the open-air memorials the veterans were slated to visit yesterday in Washington.
     But Mississippi Representative Steve Palazzo intervened and sent a letter to the President, asking him to not restrict access to World War II veterans traveling to Washington as part of Honor Flight visits this week.
     "There is no absolutely no justification for shutting out our veterans from their Memorial," Palazzo said. "This is an open-air memorial that the public has 24/7 access to under normal circumstances --- even when Park Service personnel aren't present. It actually requires more effort and expense to shut out these veterans from their Memorial than it would to simply let them through."
     So what happened?  Apparently, the government shutdown leaves no one to open the White house mail, because the veterans were greeted with police warning tape; designed as a barricade to keep them out.  But the spirit and determination that saw them storm the beaches of Normandy and fight their way across Europe and the Pacific, has not faded with time.  World War II veterans on Tuesday broke down the barricades blocking access to the Memorial and were soon joined by several members of Congress.
     Leo Shane, a reporter for Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military's independent news source, was on the scene and tweeted “Honor flight vets just knocked over the barriers at the WWII memorial to get inside, #shutdown or no.” and reporting “tons of applause as the WWII vets from Mississippi storm their memorial. Park police on the way.”  Shane continued with his live tweetfeed:  "Credit where due — I watched Representative Steve King distract a park police officer while vets and staffers knocked down the fences here.”  And Representative King wasn't alone.  House Representatives Louie Gohmert, Michele Bachmann, Bill Huizenga and Roger Wicker were seen among the crowd, helping and congratulating the veterans for their boldness.  Apparently, there is still some integrity left in D.C.
     Shane's article recorded just how the veterans felt as they toured their memorial.  “We didn’t come this far not to get in,” one veteran proclaimed.  “It’s great to be here, but it’s really disappointing that we can’t get closer to see it,” said Gene Tolley, a Marine Corps veteran who served in the Pacific during the war. “I came through the city back in high school, but I was looking forward to coming back and seeing this.”  “This just means so much to me,” said Alex “Lou” Pitalo, an Army vet who also served in the Pacific during WWII. “I waited 70 years to get a welcome like this. And to get to see this and to have all those people clapping … I’m just so happy. This was amazing.”
     But, as always, don't expect the government to be so compliant the next time.  Officials from the Honor Flight network, which organized the tour, said they have advised upcoming trip planners that the memorials will not be open to the public, and to plan accordingly.  In fact, National Park Service spokeswoman Carol Johnson said there is no risk of anyone getting arrested at this time, and they are seeking guidance on how to proceed.
     From my perspective, it's such a shame that the selfish games being played in D.C. would be used to keep the very men who fought to maintain our freedoms from enjoying one last memory of their unselfish service.  To these persistent veterans, I say this:  Thank you for showing us, once again, the courage of your convictions.  You remain a shining example of America's finest.  God Bless You all!

UPDATE:  Apparently, today the Lincoln Memorial was declared off-limits to these same WWII vets. The question is this:  why is so much time and money being spent to close off access to something that is normally open?  What is the message being sent to the American people?
     And in a related story, an Honor Flight from Northwest Ohio is scheduled to visit their memorial next week, but was told by a representative of the Parks Service, that veterans would face arrest if they chose to try to gain access to their War memorial.  When questioned if they would actually arrest 90 year-old veterans and keep them from seeing the memorial that was erected in their honor, the answer was "That's correct, sir."  What have we become?!  I am glad my dad is not here to see the injustice and the disrespect.

For a more in-depth article on this fine organization called Honor Flight, read this post.

Galatians 5:13    "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. "



   

How Quickly We Forget

     By now, I'm sure you've heard the report that the Creative Director of the 911 Memorial Museum in New York City, actually considered eliminating the famed photo from Ground Zero of three firefighters raising the American flag amidst the rubble of the World Trade Center…because he thought it was too “rah-rah America.”
     That's right --- Michael Shulan is reported as having said, “I really believe that the way America will look best, the way we can really do best, is to not be Americans so vigilantly and so vehemently.”
     Shulan told the New York Post, “My concern, as it always was, is that we not reduce [9/11] down to something that was too simple, and in its simplicity would actually distort the complexity of the event, the meaning of the event.”
     So, my dear Mr. Shulan, exactly what do you think the meaning of the "event" was?  Because to me, the significance of this terrorist attack (a bit more realistic than "event", don't you think?) is that over 3,000 innocent Americans  lost their lives that day.  The significance is that Firefighters were willing to endanger themselves and sacrifice their lives in order to try to save their fellow man.  It may sound like a cliché, but we must never forget that they went up the stairs, as frightened people came down.  That is worthy of our respect; and their courage and sacrifice should be honored.  The significance is that this attack rocked us to our core, and made us examine who we were, and how strong we were -- both spiritually, and as a cohesive nation.
     You see, Mr. Shulan, I don't really care what makes America "look best", because that implies that what other countries or the world, for that matter, thinks of us matters more than the devastation, pain and loss that we suffered that day.  This happened to Americans; and therefore, this is our Museum.  We have a right to be vigilant about protecting our own history; it is our history.  To be less than vigilant would be disrespectful to those who lost their lives that day.  And I emphatically and passionately defend the inclusion of this iconic photo in the Museum.  If that makes me "vehement", then so be it.
     And you say that this photo makes the image of what happened that awful day, "too simple"; that it distorts "the complexity of the event".  Sounds to me, that you want to diminish the emotion this photo evokes; to play down the national pride that joined us all that day.  Perhaps you want to make this about more than the death of 3,000 breathing human beings who didn't return to their families that day.  There is a time and a place for that political discussion, but it is not at the Memorial Museum.  "Memorial" implies a tribute, a testimony to one's actions, and a chronicle of our history.  This photo deserves to be a part of that remembrance.  And I do not think we should have to apologize for an image that celebrated our pride in who we were.

Deuteronomy 31:6     "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." 

Where Have Our Heroes Gone?

     I ran across a fascinating article on World Net Daily, asking the rhetorical question, "Do We Really Need that 'David and Goliath" Stuff?"  It was the musings of some psychoanalytical sociologist who questioned the need for society to revere superheroes; some malarkey about it engendering divisiveness and violence.  
     She seemed to think it wrong to elevate the heroic exploits of David's defeat of Goliath, or Joan of Arc leading the French army in victory over England; that it "divides life into a black and white picture of good and evil, and in doing so, it justifies violence."  And that, my friends, is at the heart of what is wrong with today's culture!
     Pointy-headed elites such as this want to paint our world in shades of gray, where everything is relative, on the same plane, and where no one stands out above others.   In other words, we are all the same and no one aspires to greatness.  But does that really mean that there will be no disagreements, alienation, or hostilities?  The reality of this world is that it IS black and white; good and evil; light and dark.  And that is why we need heroes!  
     It used to be that heroes possessed certain character traits that made this world a better place.  Some of these were:  courage in the face of personal perils; the ability to care about others; determination and endurance to overcome obstacles; cleverness and inventiveness; a confident belief in oneself, and a positive outlook on circumstances.   But our culture has nearly demonized individuality and changed the image of what a hero is.

     A study at Santa Clara University revealed that a couple years ago the administrators of the Barron Prize for Young Heroes polled American teenagers and found only half could name a personal hero. Superman and Spiderman were named twice as often as Gandhi, Martin Luther King, or Lincoln.  The study made it clear that our media make it all too easy for us to confuse celebrity with excellence; of the students who gave an answer, more than half named an athlete, a movie star, or a musician. One in ten named winners on American Idol as heroes.  How sad is that?  Which caused me to question how we could have let this happen.
     I know that I had my childhood heroes.  And I found them through the books I read and the stories I was told by my elders.  I sat at the knees of my parents and aunts and uncles, and I heard the stories of my  ancestors and the hardships they had overcome in their lives.  I was painted mind pictures of long sea voyages across the Atlantic and lonely arrivals on Ellis Island.  I was told stories of burying the family silver, along with other treasured possessions, in the yard as my great-grandmother fled before the advancing Yankee army.  I was told how my grandmother suffered through a debilitating childhood disease, the death of her young husband, and poverty in the Great Depression to become a symbol of courage, dedication and persistence to an entire town on the plains of eastern Colorado.
     And I gobbled up the legends of early American heroes and heroines through countless pages of books that fueled my hunger for tales of daring and fearlessness.  Were some of those stories embellished?  Probably.  Nevertheless, they made me want to aspire to the noble characteristics of these normal human beings who found it within themselves to become more than average .... and for all the right reasons.  They embodied moral courage and a daring boldness that I wanted to emulate.
     But I fear that our youth today have become both cynical and deceived.  In my day, we applauded the bravery of astronauts who flew to the moon, and recognized the courage it took for Martin Luther King to stand up for his civil rights.  And we honored the memories of those heroes who contributed their lives to the ongoing freedom of our nation.  But today, our kids see the steroid scandals in Major League Baseball, the shocking series of lies and misconduct from within our government at the highest levels, and the glee and triumph with which our media seek to tarnish anyone who reaches for a higher rung.  So who are they left with for heroes?  Movie stars, musicians and reality show celebrities.  And none of that contributes to an effective role model for a successful ... let alone heroic life.
      And that's where I think we've failed.  We should be encouraging them to become heroes; not just another ribbon-receiver with everyone else on the team.  We need to feed their imaginations with the stories of their ancestors and this nation's pioneers, groundbreakers, and trailblazers.  They need to know that it is OK to be more than average; to want to excel; and to dare to be a David or a Joan of Arc.  We need to expand their ideas and sense of possibility and encourage them to be leaders and to reach for the stars!

1 Corinthians 16:13     Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  

   

The Message of Memorial Day

     Since the Civil War, our country has honored our fallen heroes; the men and women who have died in war in order to preserve the liberty and freedoms that we all share.  We have time-honored observances such as the placing of flags on the 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis; plus the placing of candles on the 15,300 Civil War grave sites at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylania National Military Park.
     These are a few of the official ceremonies that often go unnoticed by the majority of American citizens.  Granted, there are those of us who are moved by these nearly sacred rites, but for most people, Memorial Day has become reduced to a three-day Federal holiday, with little individual recognition of its true meaning.

     I can remember, as a child, when communities would gather for parades, replete with American flags, marching bands, and floats --- all with the express purpose of honoring the veterans within our midst.  These men would be saluted and hailed for their bravery and duty to our country;  THEY were the reason for the holiday.  And I instinctively knew that these were special men.  This was their day and we were there to honor them.  All the fun and festivities were a by-product of our country celebrating what they had done for us.
     Yet today, many of our kids just know Memorial Day as the end of the school year; an extra day off from school before graduation; or a time their parents get together for beer and Bar-B-Q.  Even with the  thousands of casualties from ten years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the images of soldiers with missing limbs that are a daily reminder of the sacrifices made on our behalf, I am afraid that Memorial Day is still treated with a degree of irreverence.  It is up to us to change that.
     I urge each of us to do our part in restoring the appreciation and high regard with which we used to celebrate this national holiday.  We can begin by making sure the children within our sphere of influence know the history of why we mark this day.
      Don't just hang a flag outside your door.  Tell them why you are making that statement.  And then make sure they know the cost of their freedoms.  The numbers don't lie.  Historians think that nearly 25,000 Americans died establishing our freedom from Great Britain.  Over 600,000 soldiers died in the Civil War; over half a million in WWI and WWII, with 140,000 buried throughout military cemeteries in Europe.  We lost nearly 68,000 brave Americans in the rice fields and jungles of Viet Nam, and, so far, approximately 4500 in the War on Terror.  

     Make sure they realize that American men and women have sacrificed the most precious thing they own -- their lives -- on behalf of foreign citizens.  Yes, they need to know the truth about the "not so honorable reasons" that wars are fought, but that is a discussion for another day.  This holiday is to commemorate the memories of those who fought for the right reasons.  This is about one person laying down his life for another.  This holiday is about what America stands for.  Let's recapture what America symbolizes.
     As the sun rises on this sobering holiday, I am reminded of a saying by William Gladstone, the leading British statesman of the Victorian era, who served as Britain's Prime Minister four times:

"Show me the manner in which a nation or a community cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender sympathies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals."

     These are all principles we are in danger of losing.  These are the same principles that motivated our citizens to pick up a gun and fight for freedom, both here and abroad.  And finally, Memorial Day represents those who died protecting these important principles.  The memories of our Fallen Heroes deserve to be recognized.  Today is not about hotdogs, hamburgers and family gatherings.  It's about restoring respect for the sacrifice made for you and me.  Let each of us do our part in restoring the meaning of Memorial Day.  Dedicate one moment out of the day to give thanks to a veteran who did his part for this great country of ours.  We owe them that .... and so much more.

Galations 5:1       Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Report on Fisher House

     I have returned from our mission trip to the Fisher Houses at Fort Sam Houston, and as always, I am drained physically, mentally and emotionally.  But I never fail to be inspired and this trip was no different.

Angel Chefs with PLW in background

    PLW and I, along with four other seasoned servants, plus two friends that we introduced to the craziness called Angel Chefs, worked our tails off hauling boxes of food and supplies, cooking, serving and cleaning up for our Wounded Warriors, their families, and various support and rehabilitative staff.  And it seems like our menus get more and more elaborate.  It's always fun to see new residents at the Fisher House respond to the expansive spread of food laid out in their common kitchen for all to enjoy.  I know it beats the sandwiches or frozen foods that so many of them endure between endless rounds of appointments at the hospital.  But Angel Chefs are about more than food.
     As usual, our mornings started at 6:00 with all of us spreading out between the four Fisher Houses to prepare breakfast for the early risers.  Sometimes it's a haggard parent who has just flown in to care for their wounded son or daughter; or it's a grandma who has come to make sure her grandchildren are cared for and gotten off to school while their mother sits round the clock with their critically injured father.  Or it could be a wounded vet who is struggling with multiple amputations, and waiting for the long road toward prosthetics and recovery.  We see them at all stages of grief, depression and recuperation.
     We're there early in the morning with a hot pot of coffee, fresh fruit, home-made muffins and a warm smile.  There are days the tears flow as we ask if there is anything we can pray for them, and oftentimes we find ourselves hugging complete strangers who just need to know that someone acknowledges their pain.  The mornings we serve sausage and pancakes are the mornings that they seem to get up out of bed earlier and find their way downstairs to the kitchen.  It's amazing what the smell of sausage or bacon will do to initiate a relationship.
     Lunches and dinner are no different --- just more hectic, more complicated, and more people!  But what an opportunity to engage in giving back to those who have served this great nation.  Each time I go, the stories touch me in ways that mark my soul.  I just wish there was a way to paint you a picture of the incredible effect each of these individuals has on my heart.  The only way I know how to do it, is to give you a short synopsis of those whom God put in my path.

Chaplain Casteel

     It is part of the Angel Chefs routine that, after serving breakfast, we meet at 8:30 for a short devotional time.  One morning we had a visit from Chaplain Bryant Casteel, who is a favorite of mine.  Each time he visits us, his dedication to the inerrant Word of God and his commitment to standing for Christ is an inspiration.  He keeps us spellbound as he openly and frankly talks about the challenges of representing God in the military.  He spoke to us of his ability to call on the First Amendment if he is asked to participate or endorse anything that goes against his Christian faith.  But he says the military is far from being a Christian-dominated organization.
     He affirmed the stories I have reported here on this blog that there are Wiccan groups that are allowed to meet on Post, and that if he has 20 soldiers show up for a monthly scheduled Bible study, that it is a good turnout.  He said he has great concerns about the lack of the Church to engage our young people in exploring the Christian faith.  He relayed one incident where he had staged a fellowship gathering, and noticed two young women soldiers get up and leave before the event ended.  When he asked them where they were going, one of the young ladies looked at the other and said, "You tell him."  After some prompting, they finally admitted, "Chaplain, the Bible just isn't that interesting."  When asked where they were going, they told him the Muslim services were more exciting.  He said they are more attracted to the History Channel's program Ancient Aliens than they are to the story of Joshua and Gideon, both resourceful and successful warriors.  Somehow, we have failed to make the Bible come alive to this generation.
     Another morning, I had just finished presenting a 5-minute devotional on how serving God means serving others, with Jesus as our role model.  I had just finished sharing how being part of Angel Chefs and working with our Wounded Warriors has affected my walk with Christ, when I became aware of a hand on my shoulder.  I turned to find a frail, gray-haired woman standing behind me.  She leaned down and whispered, "I'd like to say a few words."  Apparently, while our group was meeting, she and her two sons (who looked like they were right out of Duck Dynasty), had slipped into the dining room and were eating their breakfast at a table behind us.  PLW said he noticed that she stopped eating while I was speaking and sat intently watching us.
     We handed her the floor and she introduced herself as Viola Pickett.  She said she was so encouraged to see that there were people who boldly proclaimed their faith at this military installation.  She was there because her 80-year-old veteran husband was very ill, and likely would not survive the day.  He was eligible for care at the hospital on Post and she had been so discouraged at the lack of faith among those she had come in contact with.  Her voiced faltered a bit, but she regained her composure and then gave a short testimony of her life and the saving grace of Jesus.  She apologized for interrupting us and then encouraged us to keep doing what we do, and representing Christ to this microcosm of the world, who needed so badly to know Him.  It was moments like that when God appeared in our midst and washed away our fatigue and feelings of inadequacy.
      But, believe me, when I say He guides us throughout our time at Fisher House.  There were the parents of a recent Air Force Basic Training graduate who had locked his knees at graduation ceremony and slammed face first into the concrete, shattering his jaw and countless facial bones.  She approached our serving area in the kitchen, unfamiliar with who we were or why all this food was being prepared.  We gave our short little story and asked why they were at Fisher House.  That's all it took.  She began sobbing, and one of our Angel Chefs, Joyce, just instinctively enveloped her in a hug.  Her son's story spilled out, and between the tears and the expressed fears for his recovery, we were able to get his name and give her a promise that we would pray for him.  We encouraged her and her husband to come back and eat a good meal with us and to report to us each day on her son's progress.  The next day, she greeted us with a smile as she told us his lethargy was gone and he was beginning to try to eat.  The surgeons had also expressed their optimism in repairing all the damage to his jaw and face.   Another mother thanked us for our prayers and encouragement.  She said she didn't feel so alone and told us how much it helped to just tell their story.

Jerry, Rachel and Alex

     And each of them have a story to tell.  Jerry was a helicopter pilot and instructor, and stationed at an FOB in Afghanistan.  While sharing lunch with him and his wife, Rachel, and their adorable baby, Alex, we asked him, "What action did you see that resulted in your being here at Fisher House?"  Jerry has an infectious, boyish smile and he sheepishly answered, "It was nothing exciting.... I was sleeping in my tent."  It seems that going to sleep with the sounds of mortars is nothing unusual, except that on this particular night, the screaming whistle of the mortar got louder instead of fading away.  He was blasted out of his bunk and has spent the last six months rehabilitating at Fort Sam.  But on this very day, Jerry and Rachel learned that he had been cleared to return to his original post in Tennessee, so they were packing to "go home".  We had a reason to celebrate.
     That's the way it is with Angel Chefs.  You meet people that touch your heart, and you share a part of a season of their life, and that creates a connection that is not easily erased.  Each time we return, we hope to hear some news of each of these people who affect our spirits.  More often than not, they have moved on; either returning to their home base of operations, or graduating back to some form of active duty, or their injuries are so severe that they are forced to take medical retirement.  But they are never forgotten.  Every once in awhile, there is one who we all cannot let go of.  Such is the case with Dan Burgess.
     If you will recall, during our last visit, Dan was in charge of his beautiful daughters Kaylee and Gracie, while their mom, Ginnette, was back in Ohio frantically arranging for all their worldly possessions to be moved to Texas, which would now be their permanent home.  I remember the calls back and forth as Dan promised her he was getting enough sleep, the girls were being fed well, and he was able to handle all the physical requirements of fathering two active young girls.

Dan and Ginnette

     This trip, Dan heard through the grapevine that we were going to be at the Fisher Houses again, and made it a point to come say hi.  He was instantly enveloped in a series of motherly hugs and we all gathered around to be entertained by his witty sense of humor.  He soon had to leave for a rehab session and Ginnette remained behind to chat with us during a short afternoon break.  It soon became an emotional disclosure as she revealed how stressed she had been to be away from Dan, and how she worried about her girls being fed a proper breakfast before catching the 6:30 bus for school.  Then tears began flowing down the face of this strong, kick-your-ass Army wife as she told us that she knew her family would be OK because we, the Angel Chefs, would be there to take care of them.  She said, "I can't thank you enough for being there for us.  You don't know how much all you do means to us."
     Somehow, they still don't get it that we are there to thank them.  In fact, we can't do enough to thank them for their sacrifice for us.  And so we will continue to endure the burning feet, the aching back, and  the lack of sleep to do our small part in serving these heroes.  I am fully aware that these few words can't express what this experience means to me.  All I can say is, if there is a Fisher House anywhere near you, please don't hesitate to get involved.  God can use you to offer a shoulder to cry on or a hand to help.  And I promise you this ..... you will receive so much more than you give.

Isaiah 49:13     "Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."

Heroes Honoring Heroes

     Peace-Loving Warrior and I are serving our Wounded Warriors at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio today.  I will be reporting back on the always inspirational experience later this week.  But I thought you would enjoy a couple of posts that are just plain "feel good" stories.

     So, today, I wanted to give you a little different slant on the word Hero.  Everyday citizens were on the receiving end this time, as our military's Medal of Honor winners handed out the awards to those who went above and beyond for their fellow man.  Here are some of the stories:
     Marcos Ugarte, of Troutdale, Oregon, wasn’t even thinking; he just knew he had to do it. He propped up a ladder against a burning home, climbed it and pulled to safety a 7-year-old boy who had been trapped in a second-floor room.  Along with two other companions who helped in the rescue, 15-year-old Marcos received an award for bravery and sacrifice.
     Father Carroll, of San Diego, California was being honored for starting the Joan Kroc Center, a transitional housing program that has offered health care, job training, counseling, food and supplies for the homeless. The program often works with veterans, who are among the most difficult to rehabilitate, Carroll said.  “They’re usually the hardest group to work with because there’s a real emotional breakdown,” Carroll said. “They did risk their lives, they did go to war for us … and we need to find better ways to take care of them.”  Father Carroll stepped in to fill that gap.
     Also honored were Jesse Shaffer III and Jesse Shaffer IV, a father-son duo who braved 100-plus mph winds during Hurricane Isaac to rescue 120 people stranded in their homes as floodwaters inundated the town of Braithwaite, La., in August 2012.  Town officials were forced to call off rescue efforts because their vehicles couldn’t get through high waters, but the Shaffers set out in their flatboat, making dozens of rescues during a 16-hour period.  In one harrowing rescue, the Shaffers saved a family of five, including young children, from the roof of a trailer moments before it was engulfed by 18-foot waves.  “It had to be done,” said Jesse Shaffer IV. “It wasn’t something I was forced to do, I was going to go in there no matter what.”

Medal Winners: Shaffer III, Father Carroll, Shaffer IV, Ugarte

    These were just some of the stories hailed at the 2013 Citizen Before Self Honors ceremony, held at Arlington National Cemetery.  Citizen heroes were awarded the medals by armed services Medal of Honor winners.  The recipients are chosen each year from hundreds of nominations across the U.S. by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. They are chosen based on a display of heroism or commitment to putting others first, to show how ordinary citizens can share the same traits as war heroes.
     While each of the citizen heroes expressed the feeling that what they had done pales in comparison to the real Medal of Honor winners, their military counterparts disagreed.  “We’re surrounded by heroes every day, ordinary people who do extraordinary things,” said Thomas G. Kelley, a former captain in the Navy who was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading a convoy of boats against attacks from enemies during the Vietnam War. “They risked their lives to save somebody else who was helpless at the time. That’s about as noble you can get .... We were getting paid to do it. We were in uniform and we were in conflict and battle, and we were expected to do it,” said Kelley, who serves on the Citizen Service award’s selection panel. “These people, there’s just something ingrained. When something happens, they respond.”
     Since its inception in 2008, the Citizens Service award has been presented on March 25 — National Medal of Honor Day. This year marked the 150th anniversary of the day dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients.  And, as exemplified by these brave and honorable everyday citizens, it's nice to know that heroism isn't just limited to the military.  We need more stories like these!

Matthew 20:27-28     "... and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Hero Alert: Congressman Trey Gowdy

     He was just a blip on the radar screen last week, not worthy of any serious coverage by the MSM.  But South Carolina Representative Trey Gowdy took the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the woodshed.
     During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Gowdy grilled John Morton and DHS officials about the release of thousands of illegal immigrants from detention, including Level I violators (aggravated felons).   It should come as no surprise that the White House and its minions have claimed that sequestration forced them to release the detainees.  Representative Gowdy wasn't going to let them off that easy.

     TheBlaze.com reported the following exchange between Gowdy and Morton:  “What is a Level I violator?” Gowdy asked Morton.
     “First, obviously I disagree about your characterization about these being–” Morton began.
     “That’s fine. You can use your time to disagree with my characterization, don’t use mine. What is a Level I violator,” Gowdy shot back.
     Morton explained Level I violators are “aggravated felons.” He added that eight Level I violators were released, but after faulty computer records and a “mistake,” four were put back into detention.
     “If it’s $122 a day to house four Level I aggravated felons, then releasing them saves you, what, about $600 a day?” Gowdy pressed. “You can’t find $600 anywhere else in your budget?” He did not get a straight answer to the question.
     When you watch the video, it is apparent from the number of times Director Morton reaches for his glass of water that he wishes he was anywhere but in that hot seat.
     So just who is this attack dog for the people?  Trey Gowdy is a 1986 graduate of Baylor University and received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1989.  After serving as a Federal Prosecutor, he served his home state of South Carolina as 7th Circuit Solicitor, and was re-elected twice to that position.  When the state faced a budget crunch that forced many employees to go on unpaid furloughs, Gowdy funneled part of his campaign account into the solicitor's budget so his staff could keep working.
     He then switched his sights to the U.S. Congress, where he has was part of the 2010 Republican take-back.  Gowdy considers himself to be a constitutional conservative. In August 2011 during the 2011 United States debt ceiling crisis, Gowdy opposed Speaker John Boehner’s debt limit bill, and he voted against the final debt ceiling agreement.  In December 2011, he told Congressional Quarterly that he will only support a measure if its sponsor can demonstrate that the Constitution gives the government the power to act in a particular realm.  So, I applaud the fact that he isn't a "party apologizer", and he's not afraid to go against the political grain if the Constitution is in jeopardy.
     Gowdy also considers himself "pro-life plus", meaning that he believes "in the sanctity of life" and that "the strategy should be broader than waiting for the Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade."  Sounds like he knows we can't count on the highest Court in the land to do the right thing, or make a decision based on the Constitution.

     Wikipedia reports that Gowdy received an "F" from the supposedly Middle Class Advocacy Groups, such as Voter Punch and the Campaign for America's Future.  When I looked into his voting record, it quickly became apparent that these "advocacy groups" for the middle class, are nothing more than progressive groups that want the government to take care of the middle class.  He voted to repeal ObamaCare; voted for the Small Business Tax Cut Act; he voted against the Cap and Trade Act; he voted to put the Gulf of Mexico back to work for the U.S.; and he voted to terminate President Obama's  Offshore Moratorium Act..... are you getting the picture?  These middle class advocacy groups gave Representative Gowdy a score of 7, while giving Representative James Clyburn a 77.  That tells the whole story.  His low score tells me that he is willing to vote his conscience, and with the Constitution, over guaranteeing a favorable score from politically biased groups.
     But back to the people's business .... in continuing his questioning of ICE Director Morton, Gowdy accused their actions of being part of a political campaign which conjured up "fictional" effects of sequestration.  He pushed a further line of questioning to find out if Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano was aware of the release of Level 1 aggravated felons.  Morton argued that to the best of his knowledge, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was not part of the decision to release the illegal immigrants.
     Gowdy pounced:  “If the release of aggravated felons does not rise to the level of something that the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security should know about, what does rise to that level?”  He never let up.  I could go on and on about the intensity and the sincerity of the Representative's questioning.  But it's best appreciated when witnessed for yourself.  Watch the video!
     I guess it's a sad state of affairs, when a U.S. Congressman who is doing the job he was elected to do, stands out above the crowd.  And we are that desperate for heroes!  PLW, being the cynical realist that he is, acknowledges that men like Trey Gowdy, Ted Cruz, and Rand Paul are among "the good guys", but doubts they can make any real difference.  Since I am the idealistic, romanticist in the family I want to hope that they can!  
     So, if you find that you have a few spare minutes in your day, why not consider calling Representative Gowdy's office and letting his secretary know that you appreciate what he is doing to safeguard our Constitution, our rights and our country.  It can't be easy being a David against a Goliath, called the Federal Government.  You never know when a word of encouragement from "the people" will be just what they need to keep up the fight.  And pray for them.  There is no greater source of strength and power than our Lord.


Isaiah 5:13     Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst.

REFLECTION: Fort Hood Shootings

     I am writing this post on Tuesday afternoon, before the State of the Union address to the American people.  It is my understanding that, within the audience tonight, will be carefully selected victims of gun violence.  They have been chosen to enhance this Administration's agenda of gun control.  I am anticipating that justice will be demanded for those killed and harmed by the various acts of madmen.  If I am wrong, and the victims are not highlighted, then I apologize for the inaccuracy of my statements.  But I will not make an apology for the rest of this post.

     In November of 2009, Major Nidal Hasan committed jihad at Fort Hood, just outside Killeen, Texas.  In the aftermath, 13 lay dead, and 29 were wounded.  Kimberly Munley was the police sergeant, who along with her partner, Sgt. Mark Todd, managed to shoot Hasan and stop the murders.  They were subsequently honored as heroes at that year's State of the Union address.  They and the other victims were promised by their Commander-in-Chief that they would be taken care of.  They have been gravely disappointed.
     As you probably know, the mass murder was initially listed as a "terrorist attack", but has been officially designated as "workplace violence."  This is not only an egregious act of injustice to the victims, but is appallingly absurd.  There is ample evidence that Hasan was in contact with known Al-Queda leader Anwar al-Awlaki prior to the attack.  Couple that with witnesses who said Hasan shouted "Allahu Akbar" as he opened fire on soldiers being processed for deployment to Afghanistan, and it sure sounds like a picture-perfect snapshot of jihad to me.  Yet, investigators in the FBI and U.S. Army somehow determined that Hasan acted alone and they found no evidence of links to terrorist groups.
     To label this as workplace violence is a slap in the face to our military.  Hasan did not have a bone to pick with those particular soldiers that day; he probably didn't even know any of them personally.  He was waging a holy war against all American military on behalf of his twisted religious ideology. But it gets even worse.  By refusing to designate his heinous acts as "combat related", the Military can deny the victims Purple Hearts, which means the Fort Hood victims are receiving lower priority access to medical care as veterans, and a loss of financial benefits available to those who injuries are classified as "combat related."  This is shameful!

     Victims were forced to find civilian doctors to treat their medical needs, as if they had only been injured in a car accident.  By denying them access to VA medical care, financial hardship is just the tip of the iceberg.  You can imagine the cases of PTSD that will go untreated and undiagnosed.  And to add insult to injury, the Secretary of the Army, John McHugh claims to be unaware of any complaints by Fort Hood victims.
     So the victims have been forced to form an alliance and sue Secretary McHugh, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and former FBI Director Robert Mueller for Wrongful Death, Assault and Battery, Due Process Violations, Civil Conspiracy, and Negligent and Intentional Misrepresentation, among other injuries.  You can read the entire lawsuit here, but among the most prominent complaints is that "Ironically, the very same government defendants who gave Hasan preferential treatment because of his ethnicity and religion, have given his victims -- the soldiers and civilians who were casualties in the Fort Hood terror attack -- inferior and degrading treatment relative to the soldiers and civilians injured in other terrorist attacks."
     It is shocking that they have to resort to filing a lawsuit to receive the proper care and honors that they are entitled to.  The Government asks them to don the uniform for us and then abandons them in their hour of need?  Meanwhile, Hasan continues to receive paychecks, and his medical expenses are paid by the military.  This is indefensible and immoral!  Now I fully understand why heroes such as Chris Kyle feel compelled to donate their own financial means to help their fellow soldiers.
     So, as I finish writing this post, just hours before the State of the Union Address, I fully expect to hear the President talk about Sequestration, and the threats from the Middle East and North Korea.  At the heart of all those issues lies the state of our military.  It is obvious that they are not being honored or protected.  It is our duty to stand up for them as they have stood for us all these long years of war. They deserve better than they are getting.  Make your voices heard.

Job 19:7    "Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice."

In Honor Of A Hero

     On Monday, family, friends and fellow heroes honored slain Navy Seal Chris Kyle in Cowboy Stadium in Dallas, Texas.  At his funeral, his life was celebrated and recognized by those who loved him best: his wife and children who shared him with his country, and his brothers-in-arms who shared his life of sacrifice for the rest of us.
     Yesterday, along a 200-mile stretch from Midlothian, Texas (where Kyle resided) to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, thousands of "the rest of us" paid their respects to a man who gave it all; and gave it from his heart.  It was raining in Texas yesterday, but that didn't prevent Americans from showing up to let Chris Kyle's family know that they acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifice he (and they) have made.

     All along I-35, flags were lining the route as military personnel, first responders and the Patriot Guard escorted the procession.  In case you are unaware of who the Patriot Guard is, they are a diverse group of motorcycle riders from across the nation, who volunteer, out of respect, to attend the funerals of fallen American heroes.  They have two objectives:  1) to show respect for the fallen heroes, their families and communities; and 2) to shield the mourning families from interruptions by protesting groups, such as the Westboro Baptist Church.  Yes, they would try to make their disgusting presence known.  But the Kyle family requested the presence of the Patriot Guard and they responded, coming from all over the country.

     But it was the faces of the men, women and children who lined the route in the cold and the rain that told of America's deep admiration for Chris, and men like him.   It's the only way we know how to say "thank you."  We realize that he is, in so many ways, better than us.  He's willing to stand in the gap for us, to face evil men who wish to kill us, our families, and our way of life.  And in doing so, he is willing to lay down his life for us. Then, when by the grace of God, he is able to lay down his arms and come home to his family, he continues to sacrifice for others.  Once again, he steps into the gap to help fellow soldiers who suffer from the ravages of war that prey on their minds and souls.  He sells his own story of incredible exploits and accomplishments, and devotes all the proceeds to fellow soldiers.  These levels of sacrifice are beyond what is demanded or expected from any of us.  Yet, Chris Kyle did them without fuss or fanfare.  He modeled his Christian faith and put his fellow man first.

     Can you say you would do the same?  I cannot, and I dare say, neither can most of America.  And so they line the highway, expressing their gratitude with a show of our flag; the symbol that Chris Kyle fought for, sacrificed for, and loved so well.  Thank you seems too shallow, and Respect  is not a big enough word for what we want to express.  Perhaps we want to say to Chris, "You will never be forgotten, and your death will not be in vain.  As of this writing, Glenn Beck's Mercury One organization has raised over $600,000 from Americans like me, who have pledged to stand in the gap for you, and take care of your family's needs, as well as continue your efforts to help you help soldiers with PTSD.  It's the least we can do."
     After the procession passes, the flags will be stored, and people will return to their lives.  But Chris Kyle will live on in the hearts of those who stood in the driving rain yesterday.  His story will burn in the memory of every child present, and they will know what it means to stand for something and offer their talents and their love of freedom on behalf of others.  Chris Kyle loved his family, his home state of Texas, and America with the full force of his personality.  God has welcomed Chris home, and I pray that his sacrifices will result in unparalleled honor for this man and his God.
   
Psalm 112:8-10      "Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor."