Sadly, this past week America

paid tribute to seven brave men who died in the cause of freedom. This

is not new for families throughout America's history. Many have had to

endure the pain and separation of loosing a loved one to the greater cause

of protecting us and freedom here at home.

When one of these tragedies

occurs a very important part of what a family receives as part of the

personal affects of a soldier are his or her dogtags. Dogtags are for

me an emotional item for they tell the basic important pieces of information

about the life of the soldier. They tell their name, rank, service or

serial number, date of birth, blood type, and their faith group. I have,

as all ministers of different faiths have done for centuries, conducted

funeral services. I have noticed some similarities throughout the years

of performing this sad responsibility. When a pastor sits with the family

before the burial it is often customary to lovingly discuss the life of

the deceased to glean bits of personal information that can be shared

with the family and friends, at this time of sorrow.

I have had to bury individuals

that when I would ask the family for personal items like their faith background

the answer would be "none that I know of" or he or she belonged

to this or that church. I can remember situations when the family couldn't

even tell me of a shred of evidence of faith or even any event or activity

they could even remember about the individual that they felt was worth

mentioning. I would sadly have to conduct the funeral of someone that

there were no identifiable blips on the scale of life.

What will our "dogtags"

say? Will they say you were about the Father's business of resisting evil

and doing good?

The seven Marines who died

on Wednesday Jan. 9 were resisting evil and doing good. Their dogtags

will be handled lovingly by their families and a grateful nation. God

bless their memory.

Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor

of His House Community Church (SBC). The Rev. Greg Mausz is senior associate

pastor. The Rev. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School superintendent,

Bible study coordinator and teacher. The church is below Senoia on Ga.

Highway 85 a mile south of Ga. Highway 16 on the right just below the

fire station. Visitors welcome. Church office and prayer line 770-719-2365;

e-mail [email protected] .

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