Heaven Sent Sentiments

Hello! This week my family and I are spending some time together in Washington D.C. I love history, and I have always wanted to go there since the Jazz band from my high school went during my Sophomore year. I couldn’t go for the crazy reason that I didn’t play an instrument. Oh, and I wasn’t in a Jazz band. Go figure! 🙂

Finally, a few years later, it’s happening. Woo-hoo!! We plan on visiting Arlington National Cemetery,  Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian Museums, Washington Monument, and, of course, the Vietnam and Korean War monuments.

I’m really looking forward to seeing the Vietnam War Memorial in person. I’ve only seen the traveling one, and that one left me speechless. The grand appearance and sheer magnitude of all the tears, stories, and love that have been shared at this sacred site will certainly weigh into the emotions I feel as I search and find my mother’s first husband’s name on the Vietnam Memorial.

I am also very much looking forward to visiting the newly opened, “Museum of the Bible.” Apparently, they have a Virtual Reality tour that allows you to tour the lands of 34 of the most famous biblical sights. “Soar across the Sea of Galilee and climb the stairs to the temple of the Mount all without leaving your chair at the Museum of the Bible.” Wow!

As if that wasn’t enough, they have exhibits on, “The People of the Land: History and Archaeology of Ancient Israel” and “Jerusalem and Rome: Cultures in Context in the First Century CE.”

Sorry, I’m a little excited. This trip has always been a dream of mine.

Because I am going to our Nation’s capital, I thought I would re-post my blog, “Some Gave All.” It is a very heartfelt message for me, and I pray to you as well. 🙂

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I was brought to tears a few minutes ago while listening to “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus.

All Gave Some, Some Gave All

Some stood through for the red, white and blue

And some had to fall

And if you ever think of me

Think of all your liberties and recall

Some Gave All

My heart is filled with love and pride when I think of all the brave men and women who died while protecting and trying to uphold the right to freedom. Memorial Day is a national day of remembrance in honor of all of the amazing men and women who died while serving in our country’s armed forces. These women and men are brave, patriotic, and honorable.

My mother’s first husband was one of “the few, the proud” a Marine. Corporal Jackie Lee Denny was just 19 years old when he died during his final mission in the war. Here is an excerpt from his page on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial website:

CPL Jackie L. Denny was a rifleman serving with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. At 0725 hours on February 4, 1971, CPL Denny was on patrol with his unit in the vicinity of Thang Binh in Quang Nam Province, RVN, when he triggered a booby-trapped 81mm mortar round rigged with a pressure detonator. Denny was fatally injured in the blast. His unit was then taken under enemy small arms fire from their southwest. They returned fire but they were unable make visual contact with the enemy firing on them. They requested an aerial observer over their location who arrived on station at 0740 hours and remained overhead until 0825 hours. A medivac (medical evacuation by helicopter) was called at 0730 hours to retrieve Denny and was completed at 0830 hours. A later sweep of the area uncovered another booby-trap, a 250 lb. bomb rigged with a pressure detonator. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and 5th Marines Command Chronology for February 1971]

My mother, Sue, became a widow at 19 years old and my sister, Melanie, lost her father at six weeks old. I do not recall my mother talking much about the hardship and pain she must have endured at such a young age. I can only imagine how much harder that pain must have been because of the protests and unwelcoming attitudes that greeted the servicemen who came back from the Vietnam War. Jack was a very brave man. He enlisted to fight when many people were leaving the country rather than be selected to serve. To all, I say, “Welcome home, Vietnam Veterans.” Thank you for your bravery, service, and selflessness in a war you didn’t start and the duties you were told to carry out.

I cannot think of “Some Gave All” without thinking first of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “And if you ever think of me, think of all your liberties and recall, some gave all.” Jesus died and gave all to show His own love for us (John 3:16; John 15:13), to reconcile us to God (1 Peter 3:18), and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 3:36). There IS glorious, awesome freedom in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:17

“Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (NIV).

Are you experiencing the Life and Love giving freedom of Jesus? He is waiting with open arms to love you. If you are ready to trust Jesus with your life, pray something like this:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I encourage everyone (new believer’s as well) to keep seeking God, praying, loving others, and spreading the JOY of Jesus to others.   Love God, Love people!

Keep praying for our troops and their families. Freedom isn’t free. God Bless America!

Click on “Some Gave All” for a song honoring the sacrifice our servicemen and servicewomen.

SomeGaveAll

~ Shanon

*Top picture Jackie Lee Denny circa 1969. Bottom picture Jack’s stepdad, my mom, and sister Melanie receiving Jack’s medals after his death.