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.
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.
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.
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See the About page to hear my interview with Connie Stevens.
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
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.
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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!
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.
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.
The song, “O Holy Night” is special to me for three reasons. First, Nat King Cole’s version was my dad’s favorite holiday song. Secondly, the amazing history of the song itself, including it being the first Christmas song ever played on the “air waves.” Thirdly, the first verse of the song is so impactful. (words below)
Enjoy reading the history of this song, and enjoy your holiday season!
The History of the Song, “O Holy Night.”
In 1847, Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant in France, was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for the Christmas Eve service. He wrote the words to, “Cantique de Noel” (“Song of Christmas”).
He then asked his friend, Adolphe, who was of the Jewish faith to write the music, and the song was performed for the congregation on Christmas Eve. The French people loved it. Sometime later, Placide left the church, and then it was discovered that the composer of music was not of the Christian faith, so Church leadership banned the song from its services throughout all of France. However, the French people continued to embrace it.
Ten years later, an American abolitionist, John Sullivan Dwight, heard the carol and loved its vibrant message of hope. His English translation quickly became popular in the North during the American Civil War.
Legend has it that the French Catholic Church finally allowed the song back into its services after an encounter in 1870 between French and German troops during the Franco-Prussian War. During a lull in fighting, a French soldier began singing it. The Germans were so moved that they responded by singing one of Martin Luther’s hymns. This little “songfest” encouraged the soldiers to honor a truce for 24 hours on Christmas.
Fast forward to early 1900’s, and the invention of radio. After some trial testing with voice over telegraph, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian, via telegraph, alerted several ships of a special Christmas broadcast scheduled for 9pm on Christmas Eve. They had no idea it was not going to be dots and dashes coming over the telegraph.
When that 9pm broadcast happened, on Christmas Eve, 1906, the telegraph operators were stunned to hear a man’s voice! Everyone said this was impossible. Reginald was the first voice ever heard on the radio.
After giving a resume of the program, he played a recording of Handel’s, “Largo” on an Ediphone. That was the first recording ever played on the air. Then he played, “Oh Holy Night” on his violin, and sang the last verse as he played. It was the very first Christmas song ever heard on the radio!
His wife and secretary had promised to read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible, but they were speechless; mic fright. So, Reginald took over and read the story of the birth of Christ. He then concluded the broadcast by extending Christmas greetings to his listeners and asking them to write to him to let him know if they heard it. He didn’t know if it was going to work for sure. He received numerous responses.
The history of this song embodies what this season of Christmas is really all about – God’s love in sending His Son for all people. It was written by a wine merchant, set to music by a Jewish composer, banned by overzealous church leaders, but then kept alive by true believers. It was then adopted by an American abolitionist inspiring hope for those enslaved. It was sung by troops at war in the trenches and inspired at least 24 hours of peace. It was broadcast live by invisible radio waves – a new medium that would soon be instrumental in getting the message of the Good News all over the world.
One is perhaps reminded of the most popular verse in the Bible. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” “Whosoever!”
Whether someone is a wine merchant, of a different belief, a religious zealot, a slave, bond or free, male or female, that night in Bethlehem, God sent His Son, the prince of peace, to make available everlasting life to anyone and everyone who accepts Jesus Christ! He is lord of all people, and God raised him from the dead!
O Holy Night
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!
[Verse 2]
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the Wise Men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
[Verse 3]
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
Below is a zoom video teaching I did last May at the Phoenix Rescue Mission, titled, How to Overcome Obstacles, Challenges and Setbacks
Everyone in life faces obstacles, challenges and setbacks. It is a part of life. These come in all sizes and shapes. And just because a person is not homeless or living in the street, doesn’t mean they are not going through some very difficult situations. Many times when we face various challenges, we realize we do not have enough to get through it, whether it’s finances or resources, health, or other difficulties. In other words, the challenges we face seem just too big for us – we do not have enough.
As we read the Bible, many times we see people who had the same dilemma we have; they did not have “enough.” And then we see God providing solutions, time and time again. Why are there so many records in the Bible that show God can and will supply? Why are they in there? They are there to encourage us! They are there to remind us that with God’s help, the odds don’t matter, and, it doesn’t matter if we don’t have enough. No matter how little you have, with God, it is enough,
God can make a way where there is no way! This very practical teaching will show you how you can overcome obstacles, challenges and setbacks in your life!
(Note: There is a link below the video song I played before the teaching – YouTube does not allow me to have them part of the video. The song I played before the teaching was, Voice of Truth, by Casting Crowns.)
When facing a difficult situation, God’s Word offers great encouragement with delivering words from God we can believe so we can receive His deliverance.
And there are times that godly inspired music can encourage us to trust and believe God. The song below is especially encouraging when going through a tough time.
Oh My Soul is from, Casting Crowns. The lyrics are on the video.
It’s Veteran’s Day 2024, and below is a reposting the video and post from 2009.
