MEMPRIAL DAY 2025

They Paid The Ultimate Price

Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day. Once again, I am reposting 3 very moving videos.

Sometimes people get confused. Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember every military person who served our country, at any time, in any capacity.  Memorial Day, however, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” commemorates the men and women who died while in military service to the United States of America.

It began as a way to honor both Union and Confederate soldiers following the devastating and bloody American Civil War.  After World War I it was extended,  to honor all American military who died in all wars; we remember those who gave their life in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country.

Thank God for the freedoms and liberty we still have in this country, because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.  Pray for our country, for those in government positions, to make godly decisions that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessings on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very, very thankful we are for the greatest ultimate sacrifice ever;  our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!

Jesus Christ Is Alive (Repost)

What Did Peter See?

On April 20th, Christians around the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus Christ is alive!  God raised him from the dead!

The video below is from Casting Crowns singing, Glorious Day. Below the video is an article I posted in 2018.  When Peter looked into the tomb he saw two very significant items.

What Did Peter See?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is without question the greatest event in the history of mankind thus far. A detail, often overlooked in John’s Gospel account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, sets there like a sparkling gem if you understand the burial customs in the time of Jesus.

Over the centuries, and even today, different cultures have practiced various burial customs. There were a number of Jewish burial customs in the first century. One of those was to wrap or wind the body “in fine linen, putting spices in the folds.” The napkin was “a handkerchief which was employed

A DAY IN THE WORD – 2025

Teachings and photos from January 4, 2025

On Saturday, January 4, 2025, we had “A Day in the Word” here at Westbrook Village in Peoria Arizona.

Our theme was, Moving Forward. Rev. Steve Armstrong from Spokane Washington joined me for the teachings of God’s Word. The links below are the teachings.

A New Day – Mike Verdicchio

Second Chances – Steve Armstrong

The Christian Life – Steve Armstrong

Faithful – Mike Verdicchio

     

 

VETERAN’S DAY 2024

Reposting The Video From 2009

It’s Veteran’s Day 2024, and below is a reposting the video and post from 2009.

 

From 2009:
Today is Veteran’s Day, and I have a very special video.  But let me first say a very heartfelt and sincere, “Thank you,” to all veterans.  Thank you for your service to our country.

For many years on my radio show, on Veteran’s Day, I did a special short presentation about why I so heartily support our veterans.  Today, I wanted to once again tell why.

Enjoy the video.

See the About page to hear my interview with Connie Stevens.

The Medal Of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes him or herself “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.army-medal-honor

The Medal of Honor is often presented personally to the recipient by the President of the United States. It is frequently called the Congressional Medal of Honor, stemming from its award by the Department of Defense “in the name of Congress” though the official and correct title is, Medal of Honor.

Most military veterans have never actually seen a Medal of Honor, much less met one of the few authorized to display it around their neck.   Since it was established in 1862 at the beginning of the Civil War, it has only been awarded to only 3,448 heroes and almost half of them Civil War soldiers.

On Veterans Day 2007, I had the privilege of receiving an award from the Arizona Department of Veterans” Services.  I can’t tell you what a thrill it was to receive that award from Chief Warrant Officer, Fred Ferguson, a recipient of the Medal of Honor.vetfredfurgson (Small)

Chief Warrant Officer Ferguson’s official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CWO Ferguson, U.S. Army distinguished himself while serving with Company C. CWO Ferguson, commander of a resupply helicopter monitoring an emergency call from wounded passengers and crewmen of a downed helicopter under heavy attack within the enemy controlled city of Hue, unhesitatingly volunteered to attempt evacuation.

Despite warnings from all aircraft to stay clear of the area due to heavy antiaircraft fire, CWO Ferguson began a low-level flight at maximum airspeed along the Perfume River toward the tiny, isolated South Vietnamese Army compound in which the crash survivors had taken refuge. Coolly and skillfully maintaining his course in the face of intense, short range fire from enemy occupied buildings and boats, he displayed superior flying skill and tenacity of purpose by landing his aircraft in an extremely confined area in a blinding dust cloud under heavy mortar and small-arms fire.

Although the helicopter was severely damaged by mortar fragments during the loading of the wounded, CWO Ferguson disregarded the damage and, taking off through the continuing hail of mortar fire, he flew his crippled aircraft on the return route through the rain of fire that he had experienced earlier and safely returned his wounded passengers to friendly control.

CWO Ferguson’s extraordinary determination saved the lives of 5 of his comrades. His actions are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the U.S. Army.

From Last year on Veteran’s Day

God bless all our veterans, and may God continue to bless and shine His light on the United States of America.

Leave A Comment!
Do you have a comment about this video?  We’d love to hear what you think.  Please type your comment below.

See the About page to hear my interview with Connie Stevens.

MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE

Independence Day 2024

Independence Day 2024!

This year, as we once again celebrate Independence Day, this post has a song,
an article,
and some quotes


The words for the song “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) were written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831, but the melody is much older and has been used for songs in many countries.

It was first sung in public on July 4, 1831, at a children’s concert at the Park Street Church, Boston, and published in 1832. In the video below, the song is sung by the United States Army Field Band. The words to the song are below this video. Enjoy!

America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee
My country, ’tis of Thee,

Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers’ God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.

 

We Need God’s Help

Our country more than ever needs a lot of prayer. In these deeply divided and troubling days, we need help from God Almighty. I join many other Christians who continue to ask Him for His help. 

At the end of this short article you will find some quotes from our Founding Fathers. There are some haters of America that diligently seek to find any of their shortcomings, and then, denounce them as evil people, ignoring their love of God and their sacrifices.  

None of us, including the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, are without faults. And who among us, at the end of our lives, or in future days, would like for people to shout out our faults or shortcomings, having only those  define us?  That’s why I’ve included a few quotes after this article.

This Thursday, we here in the United States of America, celebrate our freedom. Independence was formally declared on July 2, 1776, On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration of Indepedence.

It is a time for celebration! John Adams wrote, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

What followed was a brutal 8 ½ year war with England. After the Revolutionary War ended, in 1783, before the official Constitution was finally ratified in 1791, The Bill of Rights was added – the first ten amendments. This was adopted to place specific limits on government power. It was seen as very necessary to safeguard individual liberty.

In later years, John Adams would write, “Posterity! you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”

The United States is not and has not been a “perfect country.” We can, and we are still improving, “in order to form a perfect union.” With God’s help, and only with His help, the rampant ungodly ideologies permeating our society can be stopped. I encourage you to pray every day for our beloved country. With God’s help, we can get through all the problems facing our nation.
Mike Verdicchio 2024

Some quotes you may have not read…

While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.  George Washington

God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.  Thomas Jefferson

Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.  John Adams

Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.
John Hancock


Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshiped.
Benjamin Franklin


And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace.
Samuel Adams


I do declare to the whole world that we believe the Scriptures to contain a declaration of the mind and will of God in and to those ages in which they were written; being given forth by the Holy Ghost moving in the hearts of holy men of God; that they ought also to be read, believed, and fulfilled in our day; being used for reproof and instruction, that the man of God may be perfect. They are a declaration and testimony of heavenly things themselves, and, as such, we carry a high respect for them. We accept them as the words of God Himself.
William Penn


The Bible … is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.
Patrick Henry


By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced. The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement ‘for the sins of the whole world,’ and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.
John Jay

And here’s one from a Founding Father’s son, who was the sixth president of the United States.

The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made ‘bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God’ (Isaiah 52:10).
John Quincy Adams

 

MEMORIAL DAY 2024

Today is Memorial Day. I am reposting 3 very moving videos.

Sometimes people get confused. Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember every military person who served our country, at any time, in any capacity.  Memorial Day, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” commemorates the men and women who died while in military service to the United States.

It began as a way to honor both Union and Confederate soldiers following the devastating and bloody American Civil War.  After World War I it was extended,  to honor all American military who died in all wars; we remember those who gave their life in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country.

Thank God for the freedoms and liberty we still have in this country, because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.  Pray for our country, for those in government positions, to make godly decisions that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessings on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very, very thankful we are for the greatest ultimate sacrifice ever;  our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Reposting a Short Video I Did Awhile Back

Here’s a “blast from the past.”  I did this video a number of years ago.  It’s still true for me, and I hope for you too!

There are lots of things in life that are important. Some more than others. But what is most important to you?

The video below is from my YouTube channel.

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THE MAGI

Have A Wonderful Holiday Season!

Below are the links to a series I did on His Word podcast about the Magi (each under 5 minutes).
And a beautiful rendition of O Holy Night.

Enjoy!


Episode 85 The Magi – Part 1

Episode 86 The Magi – Part 2

Episode 87 – Part 3

Episode 88 The Magi – Part 4

Episode 89 The Magi – Part 5

Episode 90 The Magi – Part 6

God promised to send a savior, and He kept that promise.
God also promised to send Jesus Christ back to gather together all those who are born again, and He will keep that promise too.
The Lord Jesus Christ IS coming back!

Have a wonderful holiday season!

MEMORIAL DAY 2023

Today is Memorial Day. I am once again this year posting 3 very moving videos.

Sometimes people get confused – Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember everyone who has served our country, at any time in any capacity.  Memorial Day, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States.

It began as a way to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War. Later, it was extended, after World War I, to honor all American military who died in all wars –  we remember those who gave their life in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country.

Take some time today to thank God for the freedoms and liberty we still have in this country – because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and keep the freedoms we enjoy, because how quickly liberty and freedoms can evaporate!  Continue to pray for our country, and pray for those in government positions who truly love our country and constitution, for God to give them wisdom and courage to speak and do that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessings on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very, very thankful we are for the greatest ultimate sacrifice ever, made by our Lord Jesus Christ – he gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!

REMEMBERING THEM….

Memorial Day 2022

This year, Memorial Day is Monday, May 30.

Sometimes people get confused – Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember everyone who has served our country, at any time in any capacity.  Memorial Day, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” is a remembrance of the men and women who died while in military service to the United States.

It began as a way to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War. After World War I, it was extended,  to honor all American military who died in all wars.  We remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country.

Take some time this weekend to thank God for the freedoms and liberties we still have in this country because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and keep the freedoms we enjoy, because liberties and freedoms can quickly evaporate!

In these troubled and divisive days, continue to pray for our country, and pray for those in government positions who truly love our country and Constitution, for God to give them wisdom and courage to speak and do that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessings on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very thankful we are for the ultimate sacrifice made by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  He gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!