Sunday, May 30, 2010
Just One Out of 58,226 Stories
"IN HONOR OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES WHO SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WAR. THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES AND OF THOSE WHO REMAIN MISSING ARE INSCRIBED IN THE ORDER THEY WERE TAKEN FROM US"
I will not be making the Rolling Thunder "Ride to the Wall" this year. It is and has been one of the more inspirational moments of my year in the past. This Memorial Day everybody needs to "run to the wall" and remember those fallen for the name and honor of our country. We also need to remember the young soldiers overseas following in the same tradition of all vets of the US of A and say a prayer of safety and one of thanks.
One compelling thing about visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial(known by most simply as "The Wall") in Washington, D.C., is the mementos left by visitors. There are flowers, letters to lost loved ones, photos of fallen heroes, and photos of children and grandchildren left behind.
In December, 1998, my Nam friend and I walked along The Wall, staring at the 58,226 names inscribed in the black granite.
A gentleman ahead of us knelt and read a small piece of paper placed beneath some of the names. He rose, glanced at me while wiping tears from his face, and quickly walked away. Curious, I squatted down so I could make out the writing.
It was a letter, neatly typed and laminated to protect it from the weather, addressed to Ivan Appleby. Appleby was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force who had been reported missing in action over Vietnam in 1967, and thus had had his name engraved upon the wall. The author stated that when he returned from active duty in 1972, he had begun wearing a POW/MIA bracelet with Appleby's name inscribed upon it.
The commitment had been to wear the bracelet until all POW/MIA's were returned or accounted for. He explained that initially he had worn it 24 hours a day, but the bracelet had begun to cut into his wrist, so he was reduced to wearing it only during the day, removing it before bed each night.
Twenty-three years later, the author had come across a newspaper article containing the names of U.S. servicemen finally being returned to the United States. LTC Ivan Appleby, the article reported, had been shot down in 1967 over North Vietnam, his F-4D crashing into a hillside. After more than 25 years his remains were being returned for internment in U.S. soil.
Shortly after he read this article, in October of 1995, the bracelet that the author had worn for almost a quarter of a century broke one morning while he was putting it on. His wife replaced it for him, again with Ivan Appleby's name inscribed upon it.
All gave some. Some gave all -- including some back home in the world.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Christian Bikin'
You will note that I have included the link for the "Christian Motorcycle Association of the USA" Just 'click' on the above title. This is a great organization that I have been affiliated in the past and have procrastinated becoming part of here in Nebraska. I have plans to join. Check out the website and especially "HEARTBEAT" to be inspired and challenged.
Motorcycling has been a love of mine for many years. Dad and I built a chopper mini-bike from Boy's Life plans. Alas, in my foolishness I traded it for some 'other toy'. Anyway, I always enjoy the excitement and freedom riding provides me. It's a time to explore new scenery, meet new people and consume lots of food. It also keeps me alert and sharp because people in other vehicles don't always see you coming. The best piece of advice I ever received regarding riding a motorcycle came from my brother, Lon. He said, "Ride like you're invisible." Its true, a biker is invisible to the general traffic.
Faith in God is similar. Many people have a hard time believing in God becasue "I can't see or feel him". Just because we can't see God does not make him less real anymore than when I am 'invisible' I am not real and present. God makes us aware of his reality by all of creation. The changing seasons, the new growth of spring, the joy of summer, the colors of fall and the barrenness of winter. Its the innumerable colors of green in just one tree, the hues of blue in a mountain lake, or the tones of people of culture.
When the weather warms up there are literally thousand of bikers on the road across this country. Our presence is seen, felt, and undeniably present. God is the same. He is seen in creation, felt in the inner soul and outer expression of life and is definately present.
Be careful and look for bikers. Be wise and look for God
Motorcycling has been a love of mine for many years. Dad and I built a chopper mini-bike from Boy's Life plans. Alas, in my foolishness I traded it for some 'other toy'. Anyway, I always enjoy the excitement and freedom riding provides me. It's a time to explore new scenery, meet new people and consume lots of food. It also keeps me alert and sharp because people in other vehicles don't always see you coming. The best piece of advice I ever received regarding riding a motorcycle came from my brother, Lon. He said, "Ride like you're invisible." Its true, a biker is invisible to the general traffic.
Faith in God is similar. Many people have a hard time believing in God becasue "I can't see or feel him". Just because we can't see God does not make him less real anymore than when I am 'invisible' I am not real and present. God makes us aware of his reality by all of creation. The changing seasons, the new growth of spring, the joy of summer, the colors of fall and the barrenness of winter. Its the innumerable colors of green in just one tree, the hues of blue in a mountain lake, or the tones of people of culture.
When the weather warms up there are literally thousand of bikers on the road across this country. Our presence is seen, felt, and undeniably present. God is the same. He is seen in creation, felt in the inner soul and outer expression of life and is definately present.
Be careful and look for bikers. Be wise and look for God
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