The Names

Jan Scruggs was the man who conceived the VietnamVeterans Memorial. Late one night in 1979 he was unable to sleep thinking of friends lost during the Vietnam War. He was suddenly struck by the realization that no one knew the names of these men other than himself. He resolved to build a memorial listing the names of every person that was killed. After years of effort on his part and that of many others, the memorial was finally completed in 1982. Its most distinctive feature has always been the ‘Wall,’ with a complete listing of the names of over 58,000 men and women killed in Vietnam, in chronological order of death.

On April 16,2014 I visited the Wall while on the last Honor Flight from Myrtle Beach. I had time to locate the name of one of my best friends from long ago, Judd Spainhour. His name appears in the center of the photo above. It is a name, along with others, that I will never forget. It is a name that succeeding generations of his family will never forget. We know from Scripture that it is also a name God will remember forever. On this Memorial Day, I pray that our nation will not forget Judd Spainhour and the other gallant men and women who have served our nation—especially, those who never came home.

Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. ~Isaiah 49:1

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ~John 10:3

An American Hero

On April 16, 2014 the last Honor Flight from Myrtle Beach, SC took a group of World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, DC to tour the war memorials. It was my privilege to escort Jack Reed, pictured here, during this trip. Jack is a long-time friend and respected member of my church, and it was a privilege to spend time with him learning about his wartime experiences. He served during World War II in a small ship called an LCI (for Landing Craft Infantry)in the Pacific theater. This was the smallest naval vessel that plied the oceans and was a rough ride most of the time. By the end of the war Jack's original crew of twenty was down to three. His most memorable campaign was at Leyte Gulf, so we took the picture where this action is commemorated in the World War II Memorial. As usual the Honor Flight team, led by Walter and Angela Kollet, did a superior job of organizing a great trip, and countless people gathered along the way and upon our return to pay homage to these great men and women.

Vietnam Book Wins Award

The Military Writers Society of America has just announced that Stories of Faith and Courage from the Vietnam War has been awarded a Gold Medal. Recognition from this great organization is indeed appreciated.

A Great Marine

Col. Bruce Livingston on the right

My last blog post was about a young Marine's experience in the Korean War. A few days ago I was honored to meet with Col. Bruce Livingston, USMC(retired) and to present him a copy of Stories of Faith and Courage from the Korean War Col. Livingston is a true hero of the Old Corps and served in three wars. He now lives in Jamestown, Rhode Island with a view of the Narragansett Bay as shown in the photo above.

Korean War Devotional

Lt. Bruce Livingstgon in Korea

Following is a daily devotional from my recently published book on the Korean War. It is about a Marine lieutenant named Bruce Livingston. My next post will be more about this great Marine.

Hand Guns

Early in the Korean War the Marines learned some hard lessons about nighttime security. During Chinese attacks men were bayonetted in their sleeping bags, and some were even captured as enemy troops dragged them away like bagged game. Word of this soon filtered back to the Officers’ Basic School at Quantico, Virginia, where Lt. Bruce Livingston was undergoing training. A Korean veteran on staff strongly suggested he obtain a handgun to take to Korea, since officers were only issued the M-1 carbine, a lightweight rifle. Livingston was able to heed this advice when his father gave him a German Luger 9mm pistol he had brought home from World War I. Livingston kept this weapon by his side every night, even though he fortunately never had to fire it from inside a sleeping bag.
One of my weapons instructors once discussed the relative merits of rifles and handguns, pointing out a simple truth: “A rifle is obviously a superior weapon in every way . . . unless you’re fighting in a phone booth.” With a pistol’s small size and simple operation, there is a time and place where it has the advantage.
There have been times I felt as if I were in a phone booth with the wrong weapon—during religious discussions with unchurched friends. Even though I knew the truth of the gospel, I still felt I was losing the theological argument. At such times, I have learned to go to a simpler weapon: my own story. When you tell someone what has happened in your life, there is little room for argument. A brief explanation of what you were like before Jesus and what you are like since Jesus can have a profound effect on someone who puts up barriers. Just keep it simple, keep it short, and— make it heartfelt.

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ~1 Corinthians 2:1–2

Korean War Book Released

My book on the Korean War has been released recently by AMG Publishers, timed to coincide with the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire. This book is a devotional in the style of my previous books on World War II and the Vietnam War. I have interspersed individual stories related to the war with a history of Korea and this conflict, to explain to veterans and their families the nature of what was accomplished 60 years ago by their service and sacrifice. I hope all readers will be inspired spiritually by these stories of faith under the extreme conditions of war. The book is available on Amazon and Christian Books, and I have a special offer to Korean War veterans of an autographed copy for $15 sent to my mailing address: PO Box 3744, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578.

Heroes Remembered

Our trip to Washington, DC with forty Korean War veterans was highly successful. The Heroes Remembered event on July 27 at the Korean War Memorial was moving and historic. The thousands of veterans present heard from the President of the United States and representatives of the South Korean government concerning the amazing nature of what these men and women accomplished over sixty years ago. South Korea has developed into one of our closest allies and one of the foremost democratic and prosperous nations on earth. At every point of the trip, our veterans were honored--upon our departure, arrival in Arlington, and upon return to Myrtle Beach. On behalf of the veterans and the staff who participated, thanks to all who contributed prayers, funds, and their own time to support and help this cause.