As I ponder the many shows I’ve watched this weekend regarding Memorial Day, my heart has been touched in many ways. I think of my father who died back in 1973. He served on the B-17 Flying Fortress back in WWII. I think of my Uncle Sydney, who was killed in WWII. I was somewhat named after him with a similar name – Sydney, Stanley. (In Judaism, it isn’t common to actually have juniors, etc.)
I think of their legacy that has impacted my life.
I’m reminded of my own time of serving in the Air Force in Thailand, during the Vietnam War. Our base was a key F-4 launching point thus we were actually attacked by the Viet Cong on three separate occasions during my year stay in Udorn. One of my roles was to be the investigation organizer for stolen or lost items on base. Part of my process was to choose an officer to be the lead investigator and I would help record the process and the outcome.
During that year of being involved in “Reports of Survey” I had an interesting moment when I heard a list read one day of those who, during the last month, were POW/MIA. At the top of the list was one of the officers that I had previously assigned as lead investigator on a case. He was at the top of the list because his last name began with the letter “A”.
That made me stop and appreciate the legacy that he left behind of bravery, courage and willingness to serve His country no matter what. (By the way, I had not yet come into a relationship with Jesus at that time. I was a hippie on the inside and an Air Force Airman on the outside. So, it was a rude awakening for one who was all about fun and drugs and living in the now!)
I was so impacted that, while I was still in Thailand, I obtained a POW/MIA with his name on it to help keep his memory alive and pray for him (even though I wasn’t a praying person).
AN INTERESTING THING JUST OCCURRED – I just took a break from writing this blog and thought I’d research the internet regarding this officer who was shot down in Vietnam. Surprise and amazement just overwhelmed me! I typed his name in Google and came to a page that gave details of his time in Vietnam, recounting his time at Udorn and how he was captured and stayed for a while in the “Hanoi Hilton”. Then, I read what my eyes couldn’t believe – He, yes, he wrote that he lived through the experience, was released in January of 1973 and now lives in Texas!
Thanks to the internet I just discovered thirty-seven years after the fact that my prayers were answered!!!!
After catching my breath, I’m now ready to continue the blog entry -
Then there are those that leave a legacy in the spiritual realm. One person I speak of is my first Bible study leader, Mr. Ray Iken, who lives just outside of Altus, OK where I came to faith in September 1973. For over 40 years God has used him to lead regular Bible studies in his home, typically for folks from Altus Air Force Base who are young, searching and need answers. Hundreds and hundreds have been impacted and only God knows how many have been impacted by those hundreds!
I was one of those folks back in 1973. Hats off to Mr. Iken, and his wife, Sue. This past Saturday May 29 they celebrated 60 years of marriage. What a legacy that is!
While Memorial Day certainly commemorates the fallen heroes of the day and past wars, let’s also use it as a springboard to honor those who are still with us – be it those who serve our country or those who serve our Lord.
Who has left or is leaving a legacy in your life? Have you thanked them? Maybe you need to take some time after reading this entry to email them, call them or arrange to drop by and see them. Let’s tell those “legacy-leavers” how much we appreciate them while they are still among the land of the living.
(If you’re interested in reading what I wrote to Mr. Iken regarding his legacy in my life as well as getting some detail about my personal faith testimony, go to www.stankellner.com and click on the Stan’s Testimony tab.)
