Memorial Day: Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
This word picture is Memorial Day: The sleepless widows. The weeping parents, brothers, sisters. The crying kids. The empty chairs. The traumatized stares. The folded flags stained by tears. This is Memorial Day.
Let's pray: "Lord God, we thank You for our freedom. We pray for the families of fallen heroes. We pray for them to know You and Your comfort in the deepest way. We also pray for the USA, our troops, military chaplains, and our leaders. Lord, we ask for Your mercy for our country. And we thank You for how You, Jesus, died and rose to set us free from the tyranny of sin and death! We welcome You into our hearts and homes. Please comfort all grieving and help us love You and neighbors today. We trust You. Thank you so much for loving us. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Yes. It's Memorial Day, which means we remember the fallen heroes of our great land. On Memorial Day, it's not too late to take time to reflect and honor those who gave their lives so that we may live and live in freedom.
We're speechless. It's so powerful no one can fully grasp what that really means. We enjoy freedom because they shed their blood for us.
When we share on media to help veterans and their families, we always try to share the powerful quote from John 15:13 which says, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
On another note, many of our heroes exemplify the trait of being humble: They don't think they deserve a lot of attention. Yet this only verifies that they deserve the attention. Many living heroes state simply that the ones who didn't come back are the real heroes. We agree, but with one revision: The ones who came back are heroes, too. We believe that their fallen comrades would want them to be thanked, too, throughout the year.
Remember the fallen heroes and the heroic families who also incalculably sacrificed. To our Gold Star families, we have a message from our hearts: We honor your fallen heroes and we honor you, our Gold Star families, this Memorial Day. We do not forget what your son, daughter, mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, uncle, aunt, cousin, brother, and sister did. No words express how we feel. We honor your loved ones who gave all, and we honor you, too, because you still feel the pain of the sacrifice. You are loved. Your fallen heroes are not forgotten. We honor them today. May our Lord Jesus give you comfort, love, and hope on this day.
God bless you always,Carrie Stoelting and Stacie (Stoelting) HudzinskiSisters and founders of Unite the USA
Let's pray: "Lord God, we thank You for our freedom. We pray for the families of fallen heroes. We pray for them to know You and Your comfort in the deepest way. We also pray for the USA, our troops, military chaplains, and our leaders. Lord, we ask for Your mercy for our country. And we thank You for how You, Jesus, died and rose to set us free from the tyranny of sin and death! We welcome You into our hearts and homes. Please comfort all grieving and help us love You and neighbors today. We trust You. Thank you so much for loving us. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Yes. It's Memorial Day, which means we remember the fallen heroes of our great land. On Memorial Day, it's not too late to take time to reflect and honor those who gave their lives so that we may live and live in freedom.
We're speechless. It's so powerful no one can fully grasp what that really means. We enjoy freedom because they shed their blood for us.
When we share on media to help veterans and their families, we always try to share the powerful quote from John 15:13 which says, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
On another note, many of our heroes exemplify the trait of being humble: They don't think they deserve a lot of attention. Yet this only verifies that they deserve the attention. Many living heroes state simply that the ones who didn't come back are the real heroes. We agree, but with one revision: The ones who came back are heroes, too. We believe that their fallen comrades would want them to be thanked, too, throughout the year.
Remember the fallen heroes and the heroic families who also incalculably sacrificed. To our Gold Star families, we have a message from our hearts: We honor your fallen heroes and we honor you, our Gold Star families, this Memorial Day. We do not forget what your son, daughter, mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, uncle, aunt, cousin, brother, and sister did. No words express how we feel. We honor your loved ones who gave all, and we honor you, too, because you still feel the pain of the sacrifice. You are loved. Your fallen heroes are not forgotten. We honor them today. May our Lord Jesus give you comfort, love, and hope on this day.
God bless you always,Carrie Stoelting and Stacie (Stoelting) HudzinskiSisters and founders of Unite the USA
Featured Bible Verse
.jpg)
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17
Unite the USA's
Featured Veteran of the Month: Alfred Rascon
Alfred Rascon, Medal of Honor, Vietnam War
Remembering the Victims at Robb Elementary School
19 children and two teachers were killed in a horrific rampage of hate at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. And, many others were injured. It's hard to wrap our minds and hearts around such horror and loss. Please lift up in prayer Uvalde, Texas and the grieving families enduring this gut-wrenching tragedy. We are praying in the name of Jesus for His help at this time.
Featured Quote
"Freedom isn’t free and it’s paid for by the selfless sacrifices of brave men and women who willingly stood in harms way to protect the United States of America.
Remember what this weekend is about. May we never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in the greatest nation on earth." -Governor Kim Reynolds
Memorial Tribute featuring President Reagan
Watch this stirring Memorial Day tribute honoring our fallen heroes. The words spoken by President Reagan in this tribute still ring true today. The images of our heroes shown throughout the video should remind us of the bravery and sacrifice of the many who died in the name of freedom. May we remember and honor them always.
A Memorial Day Prayer
We pray the truth of the Scriptures above for our nation, our military and their families. We lift up all the family and friends of our fallen men and women in uniform. We pray Your peace would keep them and give them hope. Help them remember the sacrifices of their loved ones with tears of pride and sorrow -- knowing their loved ones didn't die in vain -- but secured our liberties for another generation. For each military member and their families, we pray protection and provision. Protection for soldiers in the field of service and here at home for their families. Also, provision for them all by Your hand of grace and mercy because of the great sacrifices they make on Memorial Day and every day. In the name of the One Who also died for our freedom - our King Jesus. Amen.
Stories of the Fallen
Edward "Butch" O'HareWWII(March 13, 1914 - November 26, 1943)
On February 20, 1942, nine Japanese bombers were on their way to destroy the American aircraft carrier Lexington, but one man stood in the way: Butch O'Hare. He had .50 caliber guns on his aircraft (F4F Wildcat) but only had enough ammunition to last about 34 seconds of firing. If he missed, his aircraft would be destroyed. O'Hare single-handedly shot down five enemy bombers and disabled a sixth. As a result, he saved his ship. It was one of the most daring actions in combat aviation history. O'Hare continued to serve his country until November 1943 when he was killed in action. The O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois is named in his honor.
On February 20, 1942, nine Japanese bombers were on their way to destroy the American aircraft carrier Lexington, but one man stood in the way: Butch O'Hare. He had .50 caliber guns on his aircraft (F4F Wildcat) but only had enough ammunition to last about 34 seconds of firing. If he missed, his aircraft would be destroyed. O'Hare single-handedly shot down five enemy bombers and disabled a sixth. As a result, he saved his ship. It was one of the most daring actions in combat aviation history. O'Hare continued to serve his country until November 1943 when he was killed in action. The O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois is named in his honor.
Leslie H. Sabo Jr.Vietnam War(February 22, 1948-May 10, 1970)
Army Specialist Leslie H. Sabo Jr. near the village of Se San in eastern Cambodia. On May 10, 1970 his unit was ambushed by North Vietnamese forces. Sabo was a rifleman. Sabo charged up from the back, grabbed an enemy grenade and tossed it away. He used his body to shield a fellow soldier. Disregarding his own injuries, he crawled straight toward an enemy bunker, even as the bullets hit the ground all around him. Then, he grabbed a grenade and he pulled the pin. Sabo held the grenade until the last possible moment because he could stop the deadly bunker and save lives -except his own. He knew it would take his own life but that it would save his comrades and that meant more to him.
Army Specialist Leslie H. Sabo Jr. near the village of Se San in eastern Cambodia. On May 10, 1970 his unit was ambushed by North Vietnamese forces. Sabo was a rifleman. Sabo charged up from the back, grabbed an enemy grenade and tossed it away. He used his body to shield a fellow soldier. Disregarding his own injuries, he crawled straight toward an enemy bunker, even as the bullets hit the ground all around him. Then, he grabbed a grenade and he pulled the pin. Sabo held the grenade until the last possible moment because he could stop the deadly bunker and save lives -except his own. He knew it would take his own life but that it would save his comrades and that meant more to him.
.jpg)
Megan McClung (1972-2006)Iraq War
Megan McClung was commissioned an officer in the Marine Corps in 1995 and she served on active duty until 2004 at which time she entered the Reserves. In 2006, she returned to active duty with the Marines.
In January 2006, McClung was deployed to Iraq as a public affairs officer with the I Marine Expeditionary Force. By June she was promoted to the rank of Major.
By December 2006, Major McClung was in the final month of her year-long deployment and she was serving with the I Marine Expeditionary Force as the Marine Corps head of public affairs for Al Anbar Province, in charge of embedded journalists.
Early in the day on December 6, 2006 she had been accompanying Oliver North with his Fox News camera crew in Ramadi. Later in the day she was escorting Newsweek journalists into downtown Ramadi. Tragically, a massive improvised explosive device (IED) destroyed Major McClung's Humvee. It instantly killing Megan McClung and two other occupants, Army Capt. Travis Patriquin and Army Spec. Vincent Pomante III. (The Newsweek journalists were not wounded.)
Major Megan McClung was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on December 19, 2006.
Megan McClung was commissioned an officer in the Marine Corps in 1995 and she served on active duty until 2004 at which time she entered the Reserves. In 2006, she returned to active duty with the Marines.
In January 2006, McClung was deployed to Iraq as a public affairs officer with the I Marine Expeditionary Force. By June she was promoted to the rank of Major.
By December 2006, Major McClung was in the final month of her year-long deployment and she was serving with the I Marine Expeditionary Force as the Marine Corps head of public affairs for Al Anbar Province, in charge of embedded journalists.
Early in the day on December 6, 2006 she had been accompanying Oliver North with his Fox News camera crew in Ramadi. Later in the day she was escorting Newsweek journalists into downtown Ramadi. Tragically, a massive improvised explosive device (IED) destroyed Major McClung's Humvee. It instantly killing Megan McClung and two other occupants, Army Capt. Travis Patriquin and Army Spec. Vincent Pomante III. (The Newsweek journalists were not wounded.)
Major Megan McClung was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on December 19, 2006.
The 5 Sullivan Brothers
WWII
1. George Sullivan, 27, Gunner's Mate Second Class2. Francis "Frank" Sullivan, 25, Coxswain3. Joseph "Joe" Sullivan, 23, Seaman Second Class4. Madison "Matt" Sullivan, 22, Seaman Second Class5. Albert "Al" Sullivan, 19, Seaman Second Class
The Sullivan brothers were natives of Waterloo, Iowa. They all enlisted on January 3, 1942 with the condition that they serve together. (At the time the Navy had a policy of separating siblings, but the policy was not strictly enforced.)
The Sullivan brothers' motto was, "We stick together." Tragically, all five brothers were killed when their ship the USS Juneau (CL-52) was sunk by a Japanese submarine. The Juneau fought in several naval engagements during the months-long Battle of Guadalcanal. However, on November 13, 1942 the carrier was hit by a torpedo and had to withdraw. As it was leaving the Solomon Islands' area later that day, the Juneau was struck again. This time, it was hit from a torpedo by Japanese submarine I-26. The Juneau quickly sank. Rescue efforts were delayed due the Japanese continued presence in the area. Eight days later ten survivors were retrieved from the water.
The survivors reported that Frank, Joe, and Matt Sullivan were killed instantly. Al drowned the following day and George lived for four or five days.
The death of the five Sullivan brothers was so horrible it forced the U.S. War Department to adopt "The Sole Survivor Policy" so it would never happen again. The searing heartache that the Sullivan family suffered is truly unimaginable. The Navy named two destroyers The Sullivans to honor the brothers: The Sullivans (DDG-68) and The Sullivans (DD-537). They were the first U.S. navy ships to be named after more than one person.
1. George Sullivan, 27, Gunner's Mate Second Class2. Francis "Frank" Sullivan, 25, Coxswain3. Joseph "Joe" Sullivan, 23, Seaman Second Class4. Madison "Matt" Sullivan, 22, Seaman Second Class5. Albert "Al" Sullivan, 19, Seaman Second Class
The Sullivan brothers were natives of Waterloo, Iowa. They all enlisted on January 3, 1942 with the condition that they serve together. (At the time the Navy had a policy of separating siblings, but the policy was not strictly enforced.)
The Sullivan brothers' motto was, "We stick together." Tragically, all five brothers were killed when their ship the USS Juneau (CL-52) was sunk by a Japanese submarine. The Juneau fought in several naval engagements during the months-long Battle of Guadalcanal. However, on November 13, 1942 the carrier was hit by a torpedo and had to withdraw. As it was leaving the Solomon Islands' area later that day, the Juneau was struck again. This time, it was hit from a torpedo by Japanese submarine I-26. The Juneau quickly sank. Rescue efforts were delayed due the Japanese continued presence in the area. Eight days later ten survivors were retrieved from the water.
The survivors reported that Frank, Joe, and Matt Sullivan were killed instantly. Al drowned the following day and George lived for four or five days.
The death of the five Sullivan brothers was so horrible it forced the U.S. War Department to adopt "The Sole Survivor Policy" so it would never happen again. The searing heartache that the Sullivan family suffered is truly unimaginable. The Navy named two destroyers The Sullivans to honor the brothers: The Sullivans (DDG-68) and The Sullivans (DD-537). They were the first U.S. navy ships to be named after more than one person.
John R. FoxWWII(May 18, 1915 - December 26, 1944)
First Lieutenant John Fox was a member of the famed Buffalo Soldiers. In December 1944, a German battalion attacked the Allied position in a small village in Northern Italy. Fox bravely volunteered to stay behind to direct artillery. The Germans continued to advance until they were directly on top of Fox's position. Fox radioed his men to fire. The men objected because they knew Fox would be killed. Fox knew that he would die, but he responded with two words: "Fire it!" John Fox gave his life so his fellow soldiers could live.
First Lieutenant John Fox was a member of the famed Buffalo Soldiers. In December 1944, a German battalion attacked the Allied position in a small village in Northern Italy. Fox bravely volunteered to stay behind to direct artillery. The Germans continued to advance until they were directly on top of Fox's position. Fox radioed his men to fire. The men objected because they knew Fox would be killed. Fox knew that he would die, but he responded with two words: "Fire it!" John Fox gave his life so his fellow soldiers could live.
Major Thomas E. Kennedy (1977-2012) served his country in the U.S. Army. He earned the rank of Major. Thomas from deployed in Iraq from February 2003 to February 2004 and from August 2005 to August 2006. He was deployed to Irag again in July 2012.
On August 8, 2012, Thomas was killed in Sarkowi, Afghanistan from wounds caused by a suicide bomber. He was killed alongside Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, Mr. Ragaei Abdelfattah, USAID, and Maj. Walter D. Gray of the U.S. Air Force.
Thomas was only 35 years old. He was survived by his parents, wife (Kami) and twins (ages 2 and 4 years).His awards and service medals include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Valorous Unit Award. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously.
Here is a tribute for Thomas by his family: "On Wednesday, August 8, 2012 our family lost a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, a godfather, a cousin and a friend in Afghanistan. Our country lost an outstanding Officer, a decorated war hero and a true patriot, one who gave his life for his country and the freedoms we so often take for granted. We are grief stricken and heartbroken, yet humbled and grateful for the overwhelming showering of support we have received from all the lives our hero touched..."
On August 8, 2012, Thomas was killed in Sarkowi, Afghanistan from wounds caused by a suicide bomber. He was killed alongside Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, Mr. Ragaei Abdelfattah, USAID, and Maj. Walter D. Gray of the U.S. Air Force.
Thomas was only 35 years old. He was survived by his parents, wife (Kami) and twins (ages 2 and 4 years).His awards and service medals include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Valorous Unit Award. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously.
Here is a tribute for Thomas by his family: "On Wednesday, August 8, 2012 our family lost a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, a godfather, a cousin and a friend in Afghanistan. Our country lost an outstanding Officer, a decorated war hero and a true patriot, one who gave his life for his country and the freedoms we so often take for granted. We are grief stricken and heartbroken, yet humbled and grateful for the overwhelming showering of support we have received from all the lives our hero touched..."
.jpg)
Honoring the Honorable
We give tribute to our military, past and present and remember the fallen:The American Revolution 1775-1783The Indian Wars1775-1890Shay's Rebellion1786-1787The Whiskey Rebellion 1794Quasi-War With France 1798-1800Fries's Rebellion1799The Barbary Wars1800-1815The War of 18121812-1815Mexican-American War 1846-1848U.S. Slave Rebellions 1800-1865"Bleeding Kansas"1855-1860Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry - 1859United States Civil War 1861-1865U.S. Intervention in Hawaiian Revolution -1893The Spanish-American War - 1898U.S. Intervention in Samoan Civil War1898-1899U.S.-Philippine War1899-1902Boxer Rebellion - 1900The Moro Wars1901-1913U.S. Intervention in Panamanian Revolution 1903The Banana Wars1909-1933U.S. Occupation of Vera Cruz - 1914Pershing's Raid Into Mexico - 1916-1917World War I - 1914-1918Allied Intervention in Russian Civil War1919-1921World War II - 1941-1945The Cold War - 1945-1991The Korean War1950-1953Vietnam War - 1956-1975U.S. Intervention in Lebanon - 1958Dominican Intervention 1965Iranian Hostage Rescue 1980 (April 25)U.S. Libya Conflict1981, 1986U.S. Intervention in Lebanon - 1982-1984U.S. Invasion of Grenada 1983"Operation Earnest Will" 1987-1988U.S. Invasion of Panama 1989Second Persian Gulf War "Operation Desert Storm" 1991"No-Fly Zone" War1991-2003U.S. Intervention in Somalia - 1992-1994NATO Intervention in Bosnia (Operation Deliberate Force) Summary - 1994-1995U.S. Occupation of Haiti 1994U.S. Embassy bombings and strikes on Afghanistan and Sudan (The bin Laden War) - August, 1998"Desert Fox" Campaign (part of U.S./Iraq Conflict) December, 1998Kosovo War - 1999Attack on the USS Cole October 12, 2000Attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon September 11, 2001Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom)October 7, 2001-2021"Operation Iraqi Freedom" March 19, 2003-2011