By Rick Losey
Jesus was our ultimate example of that. But you may also know someone else who did a brave and heroic thing to save someone from a horrific experience. I learned from a very early age about the selfless people we know as soldiers and the military. They serve our country, the people in it and our American endeavors. Our country was founded and continues to persevere because of these people who chose to give of themselves for the United States of America. They were the brave souls who fought for our independence and crossed the Delaware on a freezing cold Christmas night because they believed in the sacrifice for the American cause. They are the many people who have displayed this selfless act throughout our history who have got us to where we are today. If you stop on your way in or out of the church and look at the information board in the lobby, you will see our military that we pray for. They are all personal to us and are a part of who we are.
When you stop to look at these special people who have chosen to give of themselves for us and the American cause around the world, remember that they all have a story. All gave of themselves, and some gave their all. I like to think that there’s a personal belief inside ourselves, which I call the American Spirit, that calls us to do extra-ordinary things for God, Country, and Family. The military personnel on our wall are a continuation of that American Spirit. These stories are what I want to bring to you, and hopefully in return you will share your stories with me. Possibly we can make this an ongoing endeavor that will bring them the attention and honor they all deserve.
As it should, our family pride runs deep when you think of those that you regard so highly. For me, I was heavily impacted when I first learned about my great grandpa John L. Danburg. He joined the Northern Union army during the Civil War at the age of 16. He was a flag bearer who marched with General Sherman during the march to the sea campaign. The stories, as we have all heard about the civil war, are soul shaking. My great grandpa’s fellow soldiers were marching with rags on their feet because they ran out of boots. They were putting tobacco juice in their eyes to stay awake on guard duty. These are just a few examples of what these brave souls were willing to endure for our nation. After the war and for many years to come, my great grandfather never had his picture taken without the flag. It was his pride in our flag, country and family that runs through my American spirit today. So please contact me and share your stories and American spirit with us.
