Scripture
“You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you.
~Deuteronomy 15:15, NKJV
Quote
“Memorial Day is a reminder that freedom isn’t free—our grateful hearts honor all who served and sacrificed.”
~A. I. Chatbotta
Those who know me know that I have great respect for the military in general and the men and women who gave their lives in particular. When Bush started the war in Iraq, I made a pledge to myself and the LORD that I would attend all the memorial services of the young men who died in combat in this area. If my memory serves me correctly {and it may not}, I attended seven services. We attended one in Anderson, S.C. Jack Redfern’s son-in-law {Army Ranger} was killed by an IED. Jack was pastor of West Hartselle at the time. The closes to home was a Danville High Graduate, Jon Erik Looney. Jess Clanton, Gerri Cole and myself attended his service at Iron Man Baptist Church.
It was an impressive service in many respects but I could not erase the image of a broken hearted mother. I don’t know about you, but I do not want to bury any of my children; I want them to bury me. I vowed to help her in some way but couldn’t locate her. I put flowers on Jon’s grave each Memorial Day but it wasn’t enough. Then Joe David {three years ago} attended a Memorial Day service in Decatur and he came back and told me the Jon’s mom was there and he had met her. I have made the service the last two years and given her a tiny tonken of my appreciation for the sacrifice she has made. I no longer respect George Bush, but I have high regard for those who served at his command. This is what keeps America free. Lord willing, I will see Jon’s mom again today. If the pic below doesn’t touch you: you are untouchable.
Jon Erik Looney
April 9, 1985-November 28, 2006
Jon graduated Danville High School is 2003. He was an avid musician who loved to fish and hunt. His friends and family knew him as a gentleman with a kind heart. Jon, we will remember you. As long as we have life, breath and mind.