One of my most heartfelt memories during a 22+ year career as a United States Air Force Bandsman was some 35 years ago at the American Memorial Cemetary overlooking Normandy Beach, France, on a beautiful, serene day at a combined ceremony commemorating Memorial Day and D-Day. In full uniform and regalia, we began within minutes after marching into position. These events were enormous events in the old days, complete with a host of international VIPs, honored, high ranking speaker(s), United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Honor Team consisting of an Honor Guard, 21 Gun Salute, Bugler and a Missing Man Fly By formation of USAFE aircraft. The flawless execution of the ceremony touched many hearts, with many tears shed by hundreds of international visitors both young, old, civilian, military and VIP. While marching in, I had a vision. Facing the beach and maintaining my position until my cue, my tears welled upon pondering that day - the explosive, noisy, violent scene on the beaches below. The mayhem occurring during the onslaught in the beginning of one of the first great historical invasions of a tyrannical nation igniting vividly in my mind. Then, on cue, turning around 180°, I raised the trumpet to my lips. Suddenly, a very real, contrasting sight struck me, my tears dropped as an overwhelming emotional response to the stark contrast of the explosions, noise and violence I just envisioned behind me just minutes before. As I now faced the contrasting, massive expanse of crosses, tears erupted, reality instantly pricking my heart. So many died for the freedom of many nations! For the freedom we have known and continue to know and enjoy! With a fresh perspective and wounded heart, I sounded taps, honoring and mourning so many lost, memorializing my brothers in arms. Even today, one sees the metal remains of war equipment - unintended memorials of a horrfic cost of lives - servicemen exposed to the sight, sound, smell, taste and touch of relentless destruction, agony and death. ------- There is another memorial, even more starkly contrasting to this worldly one - all-be-it this is a very worthwhile memorial. It is the memorial we ponder of the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His cruel, agonizing death on a rugged cross - His death, buriel and resurrection! His victory over death and ...the rulers... the authorities... the powers of this dark world... the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 Jesus Christ, the Son of God is risen! He is in authority, our sovereign Lord and Saviour! He commands us, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost... Matthew 28:19, KJV ------- As always, I seek FB friends sharing the Christian worldview. PLEASE SEND me your friend request. FB friends, please consider sharing my posts. It will help grow our social media community of those who share the Christian worldview. Dont forget, try to be Christ-like always! brother Robert Weiss ------ Dear serviceman and woman, Thank you: -to those living, dieing and the dead; -to you dedicated patriots serving this nation so faithfully; for fighting - not for your own glory, but for Gods glory; -for defending our freedom regardless of the lives you sacrifice, risk and the injuries so many of you sustain; -for honoring the oath to which you take; -to your families, thank you: for the anxiety, hardships, tears and mourning endured, and great sacrifices you make. your loving, christian brother in arms, Robert Weiss ------- GOOD NEWS! The simple, powerful Gospel Truth: We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God - who died on a cruel cross, was buried and rose again - commanding us to go to all nations, making disciples of men, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Yes, we proclaim, Jesus is the Son of God! He is our Lord and Savior. Our example! Take this humble, yet powerful Gospel, also known as the Good News or His Story, in christlikeness, boldly to the World through the power of prayer and His Word - in love! Look to His Word. He is our example in all things! Lord, help us to go! In Jesus name. Amen! Are you earnestly seeking the one, true God? I, or someone I know, want to share the Gospel and study the bible with anyone genuinely interested in coming to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. ------- As always, I seek FB friends sharing the Christian worldview. PLEASE SEND me your friend request. FB friends, please consider sharing my posts. It will help grow our social media community of those who share the Christian worldview. Dont forget, try to be Christ-like always! brother Robert
Posted on: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:17:02 +0000
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