Quote from Forum Archives on November 11, 2003, 6:21 pm

Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>

Hello Hope Chest readers!

 

As promised, here is the "My Favorite Veteran" special edition of the Hope Chest.  I apologize for the lateness in not sending it out until evening; I have been out of the house much longer than expected today.

 

I encourage you to read these 16 veteran accounts to your children as a way for them to learn and be grateful for those who have so sacrificially protected them.

 

In His Sovereign Grace,

 

Virginia Knowles

www.thehopechest.net

 

MY FAVORITE VETERAN

 

Virginia Knowles (that's me): "My maternal grandfather, Henry Edward Hess Sr., served in the Navy from March 1944 to November 1945, when my mother was a small child.  He did refrigeration repair on ships in the Pacific theater.  I believe that my grandmother gave birth to their sixth child, who only lived a few days, while he was gone.   He was an insurance agent in Pennsylvania for most of his working life, and then he and Grandma loved to travel all over the place during their younger retirement years.  He just turned 91, and is as kind and funny as ever!"

 

Terri and Norman Nesmith: "Our favorite veteran is our son Nolan. Nolan currently is serving our country in the US Army. He is stationed in Germany but will be deployed to the Middle East at the end of Jan. Nolan said he joined the army to protect us here at home.  Nolan will be 20 on the 24th of Nov., but has the maturity of a much older man.We ask for your prayers for our son as he is sent to Iraq to serve our country."

 

Beth Besley: "Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to let the memory of my favorite veteran to live on.  My favorite veteran was my big brother, Spec.4 David E. Bunker, who gave his life just 5 days after turning 21, in Viet Nam, on November 13, 1967. He was one of 3 of our small NH's town of soldier boys who died that year within a span of about 2 weeks from each other...all high school buddies. If any of your readers are familiar with that painting of the business man standing at the Viet Nam wall, grieving over fallen friends...while the shadows of his buddies are trying to reach out and comfort him....then please pause and look even more closely next time...for there amongst the painted names on the wall, the artist only chose a few to paint clearly while the rest are sort of blurred...amongst those that can be read, we found my brother's name!! What a lovely, lasting  memorial each time I see it at the Frame of Mind shop at the local mall!"

 

Angela: "Hello, my name is Angela N. and I am writing in about my favorite veteran. I have to say my favorite veteran is my husband 😀 He has been in the Air Force for 11 somewhat long years in order to protect his family and his country. He goes where ever the military sends him, he never complains, and he never receives a thank you. I want him to know how special he is to our family. He is our everything, he is the reason I live and breathe. He is the world's best father to the world's best 4 kids! We never go without and we never want nor need anything as long as he's with us, he makes sure, even going without things for his personal satisfaction to make sure we're taken care of. I love my husband with all my heart.!! Happy veterans day!"

 

Angela Harris: "When thinking of my favorite veteran, I have so many choices. My dad, several uncles, grandfathers and my brother in law. I am blessed to have so many patriotic relatives. However, the veteran that means the most to me is my dear husband, Scott. He is currently serving in the United States Air Force. Just this year he has been in the desert in the war twice, several months each time. We have two small children that miss him when he is gone. He loves his family, his country and the people he fights for, but most of all he loves God. He is a strong Christian man. Scott faces many adversities in the military being a Christian, but he stands strong in his faith and shares it with others. I am the most blessed woman for having such a wonderful, loving and Christian man for my husband. He defends our country so that you and I can enjoy talking about Christ in the open without being flogged or killed on the spot. On this Veteran's Day, I thank all that have come before us and the next generations that come after us and my dear husband Scott for all he does for me and for all of you. Blessings, Mrs. Angela Harris, Proud wife of Lt. Scott Harris, USAF."
 

 

Sheri G. Shonk: "This very subject has been heavy on my heart the last few days. I am honored to be the granddaughter, daughter, and wife of millitary men.  My Grandfather, PFC Carl W. Owens, was an Army cook during WWII. His dedication in serving hot food to thousands of his fellow soldiers is matched only by his serving heart to his family. He is 91, and still going strong!   My father, Gary D. Smith, was head of the Damage Control Unit of the USS Windham County during Vietnam. He saw countless of his friends killed in battle, and still has nightmares. His ship, based in Japan, was the only ship out of 12 that survived the war.  My husband, Larry W. Shonk, served in the Army during Desert Storm. He repaired, and maintained the Electronic Weapons Systems on Black Hawk Helicopters. All three of these men fought to protect our country, our liberty, our freedom. Willingly, without reserve, with the knowledge that our country was blessed of God, and that it was their duty to protect it. I am forever grateful to them."

 

Jill Tartaglino: "My favorite veteran, without a doubt, would be my dad!  He served in the Navy, and then later in the United States Marine Core.  He served several tours in Vietnam.  He doesn't talk much about his specific duties in the war, so I don't know much.  I do know that he flew helicopters.  He delivered food packages to our troops on the ground, as well as picking up the wounded.  That, I believe, was one of the most dangerous jobs.  I respect him greatly for his bravery in the face of danger.  But especially in picking up the wounded.  Many of us don't think about this aspect, but imagine how it must have been to know that you could no longer hover above the ground while waiting for that last soldier to make it to your chopper?  I don't know, I wasn't there, but I can only imagine.  My dad has always been one of strong character, especially where our country and her values are were concerned.  He taught us to value our freedom, respect the flag, love our country, her leaders, all she stood for, and to fight for our freedoms like nothing else.  I am proud of my dad and his service to his country. Lastly,  I am most thankful and blessed to have a dad who not only served his great and blessed country, the United States of America, but I have a dad who serves in the Army of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!!   In His Name I pray a blessed Veteran's Day for my dad, and for all those who have served on behalf of our country and her freedoms. Thank you a thousand times over!!! Happy  Veteran's Day!"

 

Reese Holle (age 16): "I would have to say that my favorite veteran is my dad.  He served in the Army in the mid 1970's, and was a radar technician in Germany.  He chose to devote three years of his life to serving our country.  That is one of the reasons that he is my favorite veteran.   And there are other reasons.  One is that when he entered the Army, he vowed that he would never marry a GI.  Thank goodness he compromised on this.  He married my mom, a fellow GI, and thus I was born.  I think that's a pretty good reason to choose him.  My dad may be my favorite veteran, but people who protect our country are not few.  Any person who serves in the armed services has my highest respect and honor.  If you are in the armed services, thank you.

Sharon Doran: "Daniel L. Ray is my favorite veteran.  Dan had just turned 18 in April and was the only remaining son of his Ohio farming family, when he was drafted.  Off to boot camp he went just in time to be a part of the Normandy invasion.  I can remember the sadness and quiet adult conversations between my mother and grandmother.  Have you heard about this or that in the news, or have you received a letter?  My mother might explain that grandma was sad because she had not heard from Dan in quite a while.  Then, when he finally returned home after the war, my brother and I were told to dress up in our Sunday best and that we could stay up late until Uncle Dan's train arrived, because we now lived in the nearest large city.  When the train finally arrived it seemed that there was an ocean of uniforms of all colors.  Then, when we saw him he seemed so quiet.  Of course 3:00 in the morning was terribly late and he had been on the train for many hours, so he could possibly be tired.  In those days "troup trains" were not air conditioned, and had no comfortable places to rest.  No one mentioned where he had been, or what he had done, but we certainly were all very happy he was home.  Soon he married his high school sweetheart and raised two daughters.  He now has 6 grand children, who all play baseball.  He and his wife enjoy attending their games.  In all those many, many years he never talked about the war, nor did I ever hear anyone else discuss his military service.  Recently another one of my aunts, who lost her husband in WW II, told me that it is the soldiers that did not talk about their heroism that were the true heros.  This same aunt and I stopped by Uncle Dan's for dinner one evening.  The WW II subject came up and I told him I had read books and had seen movies about the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Budge.  He said that he was at both of them and though he did not go into detail, I could tell that the sad memories were still there.  His wife (same high school sweet heart) came and put her hands on his shoulders and told him how very proud of him she was.  We all of course said how proud we were too.  This reminded him of his outdoor duty of feeding the stray cats that had found their way to his farm house, so at least I know a bit more about my favorite veteran."

Donna in New Zealand: "My favourite veteran is my Dad!  He was called up during WW2 and did his Basic Training, but was then "manpowered" out, and spent the war here in New Zealand growing crops to be sent to England.  The machinery in those days was really basic, and he suffered hearing damage from that, and the big guns they used in training, but I am so grateful that he didn't have to face the guns and the enemy.  I am deeply grateful for Dad's contribution to the war effort, and for the men who fought that we might be free. Blessings and thanks for your generosity in sharing with us all."

 

Michelle: "I would have to say that my favorite veteran should be plural. My grandfathers were both in WW2. That would actually be why they are my favorite! One was a POW and went through horrible situations. Veterans are my favorite civil servants in general because they give up their lives for ours. We may have freedom but it was never free. They have been willing to give and would do it again if the need arises."  

 

Cecilia Dixon: "My father, Cecil Brooks, is definitely my favorite veteran!  My father served as a first lieutenant in the army stationed in Korea for a year during the Korean War. My mother was barely pregnant with me, their first child, when my father left to serve his country.  On a bitterly cold day in December, 1953, my father was notified by the Red Cross that he was a father for the first time. My young mother had to give birth without her husband and my father did not see his first child until she was four months old.  I am thankful to my father for sacrificing a year of his life with his wife and giving up the chance to share in the birth of his daughter in order to defend our country. My father and his generation have left my children and me a legacy of love for our nation and a desire to serve it in the ways God leads each of us."

Tami (Robbins) Lysczek: "My favorite veteran is one I never met.  My great grandfather, Nelson H. Robbins, who served during the civil war.  He left behind a diary to my uncle, a WWII disabled veteran, Harry Robbins.  When he died, the diary passed on to my father who gave it to my sister.  It tells of life throughout the VA campaigns and his being a POW in a tobacco shack in Richmond.  He did not write of suffering, just of everyday things.  My father said he remembers playing with his grandpa's sword from the Civil War.  He served with the Yankee's of PA and I am proud that he did."

 

Joy Recicar: "My husband, Jake, served in the ARMY during the Gulf War.  As a medic in Germany, he transported and cared for wounded soldiers who were sent from the front lines.  He took every opportunity to share Christ with others -- witnessing, teaching Bible studies,  and being a godly example to those around him.  He was further equipped as a soldier of Christ with New Tribes Mission.  He is now a firefighter, still sharing God's Word at every opportunity.  He homeschools our children, equipping them to be soldiers for Christ.   He is truly a godly soldier of the King!"
 

Dorothy Kinkopf: "My favorite veteran is my dear father-in-law, Bill Kinkopf. Bill served in the U.S. Marines for 23 years with several tours of duty in Vietnam.  He also served on Okinawa and in the Mediterranean.  He has faithfully loved, honored and cared for his wife Carol during 50+ years of marriage and he is the proud father of nine grown children.  He has been blessed by his children with 16 wonderful grandchildren.   He is a man who knows his mind and believes we all have a responsibility to be good citizens whether we're in the military or not.  It is very hard for us to face, but he is dying of lung cancer and we do not know realistically how long he has to live.  He is loved by his family and we would all  like to know that he has been reconciled to God before his imminent death.  I would ask everyone who reads this to pray toward that end.  Many blessings as you celebrate our freedom today and those who died to secure it."