In Remembrance of . . . Them

Several years ago when Caleb was in 4th or 5th grade at Alliance Christian, I had gone to pick him up from school.  Our route home was down City Park Avenue in Portsmouth and then right onto Clifford Avenue.  On our left and nearly the entire length on either side of City Park is the Olive Branch Cemetery.  On this particular day a funeral was being conducted as we started to drive by.  I made a quick right into the Simonsdale Baseball Complex and pulled my F-150 into the gravel parking lot directly across the road from where the funeral was taking place.  The reason I stopped was that Caleb had just started his Boy Scout career and this was a military funeral.  In all my years, I had never witnessed on from start to finish.  The color guard had marched over to the head of the casket, and those getting ready to give a 21-gun salute were moving into position.  Caleb and I both flinched a little at the first volley of rifle fire.  We then listened quietly as a gentleman sounded out Taps on his trumpet.  Finally we watched the flag ceremony as the one that had draped the remains of that serviceman (or woman) was reverently folded and presented to the family.  I was in awe of this tribute that I had just observed.

As we left the parking lot, Caleb said that it was cool.  I don't think I thought "cool" but I did feel moisture in my eyes for someone totally unknown to me. 

Tomorrow is 11.11.11.  We will pause to honor those who have served and are continuing to serve in our armed forces.  Too many have sacrificed themselves in the preservation of our freedom.  We at least owe them a moment or two of our time.

Thank you to the military, past and present, who are in our own congregation.  Yours is a debt that will cannot pay.  God Bless You all!

That’s What I Was . . .

Just Thinkin’

Just Gettin' Started

     Since February of 2010, I have been writing a newsletter as a member of a small group (formerly a Sunday School class at my church - Nansemond River Baptist in Suffolk, VA).  A month or so into the newsletter I started writing my own column.  I wanted to just say a few things to the class that were on my mind and used the newsletter as my platform.  People started paying attention to what I was writing and said that the articles made them think.  Well . . . that's what I was thinking.  I just wanted to share what was on my heart.  Sometimes the column is humorous, sometimes sad, often reflective, and always from my heart.  

     Years ago, while in Nashville, TN, I had a friend that I played softball with who, from time to time, wrote articles just to hand out to our Sunday School class.  He entitled his writings Just Thinking.  Kind of catchy.  Hence my column's name.

      Several friends of mine have blogs.  I enjoy reading them.  I enjoy writing, too.  I am not polished by any means, but I do try really hard to make sense, and use correct grammatical formatting.  Sometimes you may just need to overlook a few things.  Feel free to freely comment.  Be gentle with your criticism.  Just kidding!  I am a big boy and I can take it.  If no one ever gives me advise or tells me when something is wrong, then I cannot correct it or improve.

      Starting out slowly seems like the best approach for me.  Those of you who already blog, PLEASE help me out.  Until then, I hope you enjoy some or most of the things that I write.  At least this is what I was Just Thinkin'.