February 21, 2014 Mayport Naval Station, FL USS New York

Last summer, Karen and I took a 7000 mile trip from Colorado to Colorado via 17 states and part of Ontario to attend my 50th high school reunion in Schenectady, NY. On that trip we had the opportunity to visit the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA, the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero in New York City, and drive past the Pentagon in Arlington, VA where the third plane on that fateful September 11, 2001 crashed. Since that day, our country has undergone radical changes in almost every area of our lives and how we view life and the people we live it with.
We saw memorials to 9/11 in a number of places on that trip including one at the US Military Academy at West Point, NY. Yesterday, we toured the USS New York (LPD-21) which is docked here at Mayport. It contains more than 7 tons of steel from the Twin Towers and is a virtual museum of pictures, momentos, tributes and reminders of the lives lost and the lives affected by the events of that tragic day. We were impressed with the ship itself, but even more so by the men and women serving aboard it. As a Vietnam veteran and an advocate for all veterans through our Ministry of Miles, I am impressed with the calibre of those who now voluntarily choose to make the military their career. We hear the stories of the "bad apples", but that seems to be what sells newspapers, increases tv ratings and satisfies our need to be critical and
negative. This past nine weeks on the road has given us a greater appreciation of those who have done their jobs well, earned the rewards of their labors and are seeking to finish strong and give back to others and improve the quality of life for those with many years of life ahead of them. The young people on the USS New York, those serving on the many bases we have been fortunate to stay at on our travels, and those serving our nation overseas, as well as everyone who serves with integrity in whatever job they are called to deserve our thanks, support and prayers. And thank You Lord for allowing us the opportunity to be Your hands and feet, to serve where You have led us and to be witnesses of Your love, provision and faithfulness. We are blessed beyond measure and press on with thanks and gratitude. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Sent from my iPad