"We are persuaded that good Christians will
always be good citizens, and that where righteousness prevails among
individuals the Nation will be great and happy. Thus while just government
protects all in their religious rights, true religion affords to government
it's surest support."
-George
Washington
Before
this writer was a member of the military, a college student, working summers
selling Bibles door to door, I stayed with Mrs. Sears at her rooming house on New Bridge St, Jacksonville,
N.C.. I remember like it was yesterday,
young marines coming to her house each Saturday to get their loud speaker
equipment for their Saturday afternoon and night outdoor Christian rally in
downtown Jacksonville.
I remember taking the equipment to the downtown area in my car. I was amazed
that so many young marines conducted a weekend evangelistic service in the city
attempting to reach other marines. Later in life, having served many years in
the military, and having been associated with many churches near the military
facility, I realized the military was one of God's evangelistic growth centers.
Young military men and women, if Christian, are very concerned about the souls
of their fellow soldiers. From the time of General Washington, military
officers and enlisted, both on and off base, have been active in the church.
They certainly do not have to impress anyone. Both on and off the military
facility, Satan has every attraction for them... beer joints-bars, strip clubs,
and gambling establishments. After American service men left Saigon,
South Vietnam, the leaders
of North Vietnam
set to work cleansing the city of what they called "American- Western
decadence". Combat Christian soldiers know full well that they want God on
their side in time of war. Unlike civilian churches, who want to fight the
battle against Satan from air conditioned fox holes, the front line solider
knows he needs the ever-present worthy hand of God in his defense. He wants to
know the fighting solider next to him also has such protection. Our greatest
warriors have been great Christians, including Eisenhower and Patton. Almost
every combat solider can relate about the provident hand of God making a
difference in his life.
Most
rivers flow south, Mississippi,
Amazon, etc., so it is with integrity/ morality /religious fervor of mankind.
Along with the political correctness, profane nature that has taken over
politicians, power brokers, bankers of the world, comes the effort to now
curtail the activity of Christian service people, even to the extent of
limiting their membership in Christian groups and conservative organizations. For
years atheists have tried to take God out of our national life, "in God we
trust" OFF our money OUT of our pledge of allegiance. Now, the Air Force
Academy officer's oath "so
help me God". Now, in Fort Hood,
Texas at a pre-deployment
briefing, the Department of Defense has threatened fighting men that membership
and donations to conservative groups such as the Tea Party, would result in
punishment for them. I can not imagine, even in my lifetime, punishment TO this
field grade officer FOR activity in a local Baptist church as well as giving
God's tithes and offerings to religious causes and churches.
With
the occupation of the White House with a Sunni Muslim, control of the
government, particularly the Congress, with followers of Satan, should we have
the majestic painting of the Baptism of Pocahontas removed from the Rotunda of
the Capital Building? Godliness is often replaced by
helplessness. How soon we forget that the Capital building in the earliest days
of this Republic was used for Church services.
From
the earliest days of this Democratic Republic, we have seen the need for a
military. The founding fathers did not wish to spend the treasure and talent of
this new nation with fighting forces, but, President Jefferson learned early
that we must defend ourselves, "from the halls of Montezuma to the shores
of Tripoli."
This army medical officer still believes that every able body man should serve
in the military. I have never known a young person in the military who was not
improved by military discipline, hygiene, fundamentals of education and
appearance, if nothing more than the shining of one's shoes. A young man learns
that his shoes should give a good appearance, not only in the military service,
but for the remainder of his life. Surely, if we had young men, who become fathers,
who know the benefit of discipline/ rules/ hygiene, we would have better
families.
There
was a time when we spoke of the American Dream. Most of my time in the
military, active duty, was used in lecturing young recruits. As a medical
officer, I talked with them about the necessity of taking care of their bodies,
eating and drinking correctly, rest, exercise, and hygiene. One would never
believe the young people, even from this, the world's most prosperous nation,
who entered the military not knowing the fundamentals of hygiene and good
health practices. After they learned the essentials of teeth, skin, and reproductive
care, they could not help but be better fathers and mothers. Along with
personal body care, the need for education and preparation for living in a
thriving, competitive society, there was a time where each young person wanted
a job, wanted to succeed, own a home, own a vehicle, make a real contribution,
make a real contribution to his community. It is in the communist societies of
the world that you find government housing (everyone living in the same type
shoe box), with government cutting their grass, trimming their shrubbery,
making every commitment to their life. It is the moochers, those who are the
dregs of society, who want the government furnishing them places to exercise,
telling them places to get 'sick' care. And now, I'm sorry to say, starting
with the military, telling them when, how, and why to donate or have any
resemblance of religion in their thinking.
I
pray to God for the time that a General Washington, President Jefferson, or Dr.
Franklin will walk into the halls of Congress and say to the Senators, and
representatives of the people. "Get out of here! You are a disgrace to the
men and women who shed their blood for this great republic." I want the
day to come that in some liberal, pretender pulpits, Jesus Himself will shout
to the pew warmers, as He did to the Pharisees of His day, "Get out of
here. You are a disgrace to the blood shed for you."
Please,
let this old, blind veteran be first in line for a reformation at the church
house, for a revolution at the courthouse, state house, and in federal Congress.
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