Thursday morning May 30th on

the Today Show Matt Lowery and Katy Couric were interviewing the officials

at "Ground Zero" in New York City. This was the monumental moment

that millions of Americans were waiting for in the final closure of the

cleanup operation of the Twin Towers after 9/11. This has significance

for many reasons one of which being that it brings some closure as to

what happened to America and our way of life. Over and over it was said

that crews worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week in this effort. It

was said, that as the crews would change their long shifts of often 14

hours a day, that people would stand along side the routes where these

workers would enter and exit and they would clap and cheer as these gallant

soldiers went time and time again into the twisted graveyard. I was reminded

of the US factories during W.W.II that were operational 24 hours a day,

7 days a week to turn out war materials to defeat our enemies. I might

add that many of these workers were women since most of the able men were

serving in one of the armed services. During that time American workers

were turning out bombers at one per hour, 24 per day. The human spirit

is remarkable and it needs to be recognized whenever possible. Here is

a short story I received from a soldier Jeff Green serving in Korea. It

is entitled:

"The Only Thanks"

"Richard never talked

much about his time in Vietnam. He had been shot by a sniper during that

war and, like many veterans, didn't care to share his war experience with

others. One of the few mementos he did bring home was a black and white

photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret. A few years ago, Ann

Margaret held a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard arrived hours

early and stood second in a line that grew a couple blocks long. Before

long, Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever, and Richard

presented the book for her signature. When he took out his treasured photo,

bookstore employees objected, saying she would only sign her book. "I

understand" Richard said, "I just wanted her to see it."

When she saw it, tears welled up in her eyes. "This is one of my

gentlemen from Viet Nam," she told the employees, "and I most

certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country

and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'" With that, she pulled

Richard across the table, gave him a big kiss then spoke several minutes

about the courage of Vietnam vets and how she admired them. She then took

a moment to pose for pictures with her 'gentleman Richard.' Later at dinner,

Richard was quiet. When his wife asked if he'd like to talk about it,

he broke down in tears. "That's the first time," he said, "that

anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army."

Memorial Day is a time to pause

and remember those servicemen and women who gave their lives in war to

secure our freedom. We remember with gratitude those who died most of

whom never heard the word, "thanks." The Bible tells us that

the human spirit was breathed into mankind and reflected the "Spirit

of God." God is spirit and He must be worshiped in spirit and truth.

To me the "Gospel Message through Christ" among other things,

gives the "human spirit" three things for which it craves and

longs because it comes originally from God's Spirit 1. To be loved.

2. To be forgiven for sins

of the past.

3. To have self esteem and

be somebody.

In life one might find one

or more of these three, here and there, but consistently they are found

only in the forgiving blood of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor

of "His House Community Church" (SBC) Rev. Greg Mausz is Sr.

Assoc. Pastor. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School Superintendent,

Bible study coordinator and teacher. The church has moved to the new location

just below Fayetteville, on GA. Highway 85. As you leave Fayetteville

going South on Highway 85, you cross Highway 16, at the Senoia intersection.

It is a mile on the right just below the fire station. If you are not

in a church, come visit us. Church office and Prayer line (770)-719-2365

E-Mail [email protected]

Back

to News Home Page |