GOD BLESS OUR FALLEN HEROES

Donald Howerton III- Iraq

      "There's teddy bears and high school rings... and old photographs that mamas bring... of daddys with the young boy, playing ball. There's combat boots he used to wear when he was sent... over there, and there's 50,000 names carved in the wall. There's cigarettes and cans of beer and notes that say I miss you dear... and children who don't say anything at all. There's purple hearts and packs of gum, fatherless daughters and fatherless sons, and there's 50,000 names carved in the wall. They come from all across this land, in pickup trucks and minivans, searching for a boy from long ago. They scan the wall and find his name. The teardrops fall like pouring rain, and they leave a gift and go. There's stars of David and rosary beads, and crucifixion figurines, and flowers of all colors- large and small, There's a Boy Scout badge and a merit pin, little American flags waving in the wind, and there's 50,000 names carved in the wall."  I love the lyrics to George Jones' song, but not as much as I loved the Viet Nam Memorial itself. I was privileged to see it when I accompanied Sherry on a trip to DC, and it's sacredness left me in awe! There were hundreds of us- coming from all over this land- yes, in pickup trucks and minivans- and there were the names. Just the names. And you could've heard a pin drop. There was silence- holy silence- because we didn't need a preacher to tell us that we were on holy ground!


Gale A Shedenhelm-WW2

      Memorial Day has arrived again... and again, my heart is drawn to those who died for our freedom. Once again, my mind struggles with the dreams that were never fulfilled and with the heartaches that were never healed. Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day because we decorated the graves of those who died in service to America, and I pray that we will honor our fallen heroes in this way forever. Somewhere along the line, we began to remember those men and women who put their lives on the line, knowing that- except for the grace of God and a second here or an inch there- they could easily have been martyred as well... and now, we take time to remember those who served and would've been in harm's way, if called, and also those who sacrificed so that we would have the abundant lives we enjoy today. You can choose where you would draw the line, but I am grateful for all of them, and especially for those who were willing to pick up arms.
      I have mentioned by uncles, Delmer and Lewis Sylvester, previously. They fought in WW2 and I am proud of both of them, as I am of the Agnews, Simmons', and Schalls to whom I am also related.  I researched those who share my surname and discovered that... Lawrence and William E. Schuttenhelm served in WW1; Ralph, Karl, Charles, and Donald Schuttenhelm served in WW2. In addition, George and Clark Sheetenhelm served in WW2. Concerning those who bear the name Shedenhelm, the record shows that Teddy, John, and Gary served in Vietnam, and the following served in WW2- William J., Harley, Kenneth, Laurel, Lutther, Dale, Byron, Russell, Paul, Glen, Robert H., Ray F., and my father, Gale Allen Shedenhelm (pictured).  I praise God for each and every one of them, and for Harry Muffley and those whose names are etched on our own church memorial.


Sean Shedenhelm (L) Iraq
Bill Coulter (TR) Air Forxe

      Let me conclude with words written in the Washington Post, Nov. 12, 1921, concerning the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. "Wrapped in the brooding silences of eternity... the well loved son of the republic sleeps... at last shrouded in his immortality. Hundreds of millions of people have called him "son," and given him a name that for all time... shall be a synonym for loyalty and sacrifice. In honoring him... the mighty country for which he gladly gave his life... touched a new and loftier height of majesty and dignity... The grief that filled each breast and dimmed each eye, the sorrow that bowed each head in tribute of the nameless soldier who died for his flag...unknown, unsung... was tempered by a promise which was exalting and uplifting. A tender beauty marked each passing moment which saw the nation's final tribute to its unknown boy, home from strife and hell of war, back in the arms of those who loved him. The President walked through the silent streets of the hushed city, in the early morning haze, content to be a simple private citizen at the bier of the man who in his haunting mystery, typifies the spirit of the American dead.
   

Harley Shedenhelm- WW2

Can we get an "amen?" Friends, Monday is a day of Remembrance, a day of Gratitude, and day for Humility. It is Decoration Day because there is no greater love than this!