Memorial Day: Our Sacred Honor
Are you ready for Memorial Day? This edition will help you feel grounded in the reality that Memorial Day is a very special, sacred weekend. It will inspire you to remember, thank God, and reach out to families whose loved ones died to keep us free. It is about remembering the men and women who died for their country. It is about reflecting on how we live in peace and freedom today thanks to them.
Understatement: Freedom is not free, and Memorial Day demonstrates its incalculably high cost. From the War of Independence to the present day, over 1.1 million Americans have died in war. Think about it: All those men and women were dads, moms, sons, daughters, sisters and/or brothers. Each left behind heartbroken families.
Linda Schumann’s son Jordan was killed in action in 2011. We believe she said it best: "Memorial Day, for me, is the day to go to Arlington and stand and look at my son's tombstone and know that everybody there was willing to give their life for me."
Families of all backgrounds know the pain of losing a loved one due to military service. It is not a respecter of persons. For example, super star Chuck Norris lost his brother Wieland Norris in Vietnam. Wieland willingly gave his life to save numerous men in his platoon. Chuck Norris recounts, “On the day Wieland sacrificed his own life, I lost my best friend and brother, and the hearts of my mother and my other brother, Aaron, and my own were torn in two. That day, we unwillingly joined the ranks of those families of fallen warriors.”
It is a heavy realization that each one selflessly fought and died for us. They did not die in vain. They died so that freedom can ring. We must echo that to all of our loved ones -including kids, teens, etc.
We desire to change the tide of apathy to a wave of appreciation and outreach full of God's love for veterans and military families. Please join us as we pray and continue to do this throughout the year.
Indeed, may this Memorial Day cause us to remember the selflessness, the grit, and the courage of our current servicemen and women and veterans. Please read the below true stories of heroes who willingly gave their lives to save their comrades and defend freedom. Share these stories with your family and friends. And join us as we remember and thank God for such selfless heroes who died to grant freedom for all.
After you finish this edition, embrace this challenge: For Memorial Day, ask God to guide you to at least one family whose loved one died so we can live in freedom. Thank them. Bring a gift card or text one. Pray for them. Tell them you are grateful and that their loved one(s) remain remembered and honored.
In the end, it's not about the picnics, the sales, and the summer start. It's about men and women willing to give up all of their summers --their very lives-- for your and our freedom.
God bless you always,Dr. Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting HudzinskiSisters and founders of Unite the USA
Understatement: Freedom is not free, and Memorial Day demonstrates its incalculably high cost. From the War of Independence to the present day, over 1.1 million Americans have died in war. Think about it: All those men and women were dads, moms, sons, daughters, sisters and/or brothers. Each left behind heartbroken families.
Linda Schumann’s son Jordan was killed in action in 2011. We believe she said it best: "Memorial Day, for me, is the day to go to Arlington and stand and look at my son's tombstone and know that everybody there was willing to give their life for me."
Families of all backgrounds know the pain of losing a loved one due to military service. It is not a respecter of persons. For example, super star Chuck Norris lost his brother Wieland Norris in Vietnam. Wieland willingly gave his life to save numerous men in his platoon. Chuck Norris recounts, “On the day Wieland sacrificed his own life, I lost my best friend and brother, and the hearts of my mother and my other brother, Aaron, and my own were torn in two. That day, we unwillingly joined the ranks of those families of fallen warriors.”
It is a heavy realization that each one selflessly fought and died for us. They did not die in vain. They died so that freedom can ring. We must echo that to all of our loved ones -including kids, teens, etc.
We desire to change the tide of apathy to a wave of appreciation and outreach full of God's love for veterans and military families. Please join us as we pray and continue to do this throughout the year.
Indeed, may this Memorial Day cause us to remember the selflessness, the grit, and the courage of our current servicemen and women and veterans. Please read the below true stories of heroes who willingly gave their lives to save their comrades and defend freedom. Share these stories with your family and friends. And join us as we remember and thank God for such selfless heroes who died to grant freedom for all.
After you finish this edition, embrace this challenge: For Memorial Day, ask God to guide you to at least one family whose loved one died so we can live in freedom. Thank them. Bring a gift card or text one. Pray for them. Tell them you are grateful and that their loved one(s) remain remembered and honored.
In the end, it's not about the picnics, the sales, and the summer start. It's about men and women willing to give up all of their summers --their very lives-- for your and our freedom.
God bless you always,Dr. Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting HudzinskiSisters and founders of Unite the USA
Stories of Our Fallen Heroes
The Best of Ronald Reagan's Memorial Day Speeches: A Tribute to Our Fallen Heroes
President Ronald Reagan was a masterful orator, and his Memorial Day speeches stand out as some of his most moving and inspiring addresses.
Featured Quotes
"Each Memorial Day, we honor and commemorate all of our fallen warriors. The day holds a special meaning for all of us, and for the families of the fallen, it provides a profoundly proud yet painful remembrance." -Chuck Norris
Featured Bible Verse
Unite the USA's
Featured Veteran of the Month: Ralph Johnson
Merle Hay (1896-1917) was originally from a farm in Carroll County, Iowa. Merle enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in WWI. He was sent overseas to France and on June 26, 1917, his regiment disembarked the troop ships in St. Nazaire as part of the 1st Infantry Division. By November 1917, he was assigned to Company F along with Corporal James Bethel Gresham and Private Thomas Enright. At that time, they were in the trenches near Artois. In the early morning of November 3, 1917, the Imperial German Army attacked. After an hour of fighting, Merle Hay, James Gresham, and Thomas Enright were all killed in action.
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.
Wieland Norris (1943-1970) felt obligated to go help in Vietnam so he enlisted. Four months after he arrived there, he was point man for a patrol. He saw the North Vietnamese about to ambush his squad. Rather than taking cover, he protected his vulnerable squad by yelling back at them to duck. And when he did that, the Vietnamese focused their artillery on him. As a result of his selfless act, he was killed in action. Wieland is often honored by his brother, Chuck Norris, who has dedicated various military themed movies in Wieland's memory.
Ralph Johnson (1949-1968) was a U.S. Marine who was killed in action in Vietnam. When a hand grenade was thrown into his fighting hole, Ralph immediately covered it with his body to absorb the full impact of the blast. He sacrificed his life to save a fellow Marine and prevented the enemy from penetrating his patrol perimeter. Ralph Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.
Jessica Ellis (1983-2008) was a combat medic assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division in Iraq. She had volunteered a second time for a mission to clear a route. It was her second deployment to the region. She primarily accompanied combat engineers on clearance missions to look for roadside bombs, but this time, an improvised explosive devise (IED) detonated near her vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq. Everyone had to exit through a back door. Ellis didn't make it and she was killed in action.
Jessica's dad Steve Ellis said her nickname was "Doc Ellis". He said her buddies told them that even after she was gone "she kept saving lives" because she had trained them all to stop bleeding. They used her technique often after she was gone.
Jessica's dad Steve Ellis said her nickname was "Doc Ellis". He said her buddies told them that even after she was gone "she kept saving lives" because she had trained them all to stop bleeding. They used her technique often after she was gone.
Jordan C. Schumann (1986-2011) was U.S. Army Specialist. He loved his country with all his heart. When asked about his favorite holiday, he'd readily respond with "the 4th of July!" Jordan was so proud to serve his country. On July 5, 2011, he was stationed in Afghanistan. On that day, Jordan was driving out to aid and assist another squad. Tragically, his truck hit a massive improvised explosive device: At only 24 years old, he died on July 5 -one day after his favorite holiday. And, at the time of his death, his wife was expecting their first child. Jordan's precious mom, Linda Schumann, said it best: "Memorial Day, for me, is the day to go to Arlington and stand and look at my son's tombstone and know that everybody there was willing to give their life for me."
Ian Zook (1980-2004) was born in Peoria, Illinois and had lived in Port St. Lucie for 18 years coming from Illinois. He was a graduate and valedictorian of the Class of 1999 at Faith Baptist School, Fort Pierce, graduate of the Word of Life Bible Institute, Hudson, Florida, attended I.R.C.C. where he studied Criminal Justice, went on 2 mission trips, and in May 2001 he joined the U.S. Marine Corp.
Ian enlisted and became a U.S. Marine to help fight the war on terror. He served in Iraq and one day, he was in the lead Humvee on its way to rescue wounded soldiers. Suddenly, Ian was ambushed and he was killed by three anti-tank mines buried in the road. They detonated directly underneath him.
Ian enlisted and became a U.S. Marine to help fight the war on terror. He served in Iraq and one day, he was in the lead Humvee on its way to rescue wounded soldiers. Suddenly, Ian was ambushed and he was killed by three anti-tank mines buried in the road. They detonated directly underneath him.
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
How to Know Jesus
Question: How do Stacie and Carrie know they'll go to Heaven?
Answer: It's not because of what they've done or who they are. It's because Jesus lives in them. Anything good in them is because of Jesus in them. They know God and His love in a personal way. They've followed what God said in His book: the Bible. They invited Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. You, too, can know God. Yes, He really does love you!
Take His Word for it:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16 (NKJV) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.-Rom. 3:23 (NLV) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us... -Rom. 3:25 (NLV) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. -Rom. 10:9 (NKJV) Understand that God loves you with infinite love! God is good, holy and righteous and we fall short of His perfection. So we need a Mediator, Jesus, who lovingly took our punishment for all our mistakes.
Believe that Jesus is God's Son that took your punishment. He took your punishment for all your sins (anti-God ways) and that He rose from the dead for you, __________.
Repent (turn away from) your sins (anti-God ways) and submit yourself to Him as your Lord.
Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Talk to God and give your life to Jesus.
Pray from your heart. If it helps, pray something like this:
God, I understand now...You sent Jesus to share Your love and make it possible for me to be Yours. Please forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, I believe you took my punishment on the cross and that you rose from the dead for me personally. I turn away from doing things "my way" and ask that You rule my life, Jesus. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I put my trust in You not in the things I do. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Welcome into God's family! You are now His! Get connected with a loving, Bible-based church, enjoy the supreme joy of being baptized, and savor the Savior's love forever! Read the Bible. (If you don't have one, start reading the Gospel of John by clicking here.)
He'll never divorce you. He'll never die. He'll never change. He loves you! Enjoy loving and obeying Jesus and experiencing His love forever and ever! If you'd like prayer or more information, e-mail us anytime.
Answer: It's not because of what they've done or who they are. It's because Jesus lives in them. Anything good in them is because of Jesus in them. They know God and His love in a personal way. They've followed what God said in His book: the Bible. They invited Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. You, too, can know God. Yes, He really does love you!
Take His Word for it:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16 (NKJV) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.-Rom. 3:23 (NLV) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us... -Rom. 3:25 (NLV) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. -Rom. 10:9 (NKJV) Understand that God loves you with infinite love! God is good, holy and righteous and we fall short of His perfection. So we need a Mediator, Jesus, who lovingly took our punishment for all our mistakes.
Believe that Jesus is God's Son that took your punishment. He took your punishment for all your sins (anti-God ways) and that He rose from the dead for you, __________.
Repent (turn away from) your sins (anti-God ways) and submit yourself to Him as your Lord.
Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Talk to God and give your life to Jesus.
Pray from your heart. If it helps, pray something like this:
God, I understand now...You sent Jesus to share Your love and make it possible for me to be Yours. Please forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, I believe you took my punishment on the cross and that you rose from the dead for me personally. I turn away from doing things "my way" and ask that You rule my life, Jesus. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I put my trust in You not in the things I do. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Welcome into God's family! You are now His! Get connected with a loving, Bible-based church, enjoy the supreme joy of being baptized, and savor the Savior's love forever! Read the Bible. (If you don't have one, start reading the Gospel of John by clicking here.)
He'll never divorce you. He'll never die. He'll never change. He loves you! Enjoy loving and obeying Jesus and experiencing His love forever and ever! If you'd like prayer or more information, e-mail us anytime.