Honoring our Military and VA Chaplain's, Past and Present

The Love of Our Country:

The Story of America’s First Chaplain, John Hurt

“Pro Deo Et Patria.”- For God and Country

In honor of the 245^th anniversary of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps this week, let’s take a journey to the past to commemorate America’s military chaplains, brave heroes who live out their faith by providing spiritual comfort and encouragement for our soldiers.

There are countless heroic stories of American military service members who’ve boldly laid down their lives for the country that they love. However, sacrifice can take on a lot of different meanings. For America’s first military chaplain John Hurt, sacrifice meant fighting alongside his men during the battle for American independence, providing them with spiritual strength to overcome the odds of defeating the then-greatest empire, Great Britain.

John Hurt is just one of many fine examples of military chaplains who embody the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps slogan of “Pro Deo Et Patria”—for God and country. For him and thousands of chaplains in our military, their faith and religious convictions are the wellspring of what drives them to minister, serve and in many cases to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Born in Virginia in 1752 to a family of devout Anglican ministers, Hurt was ordained as a minister in 1774, at the young age of 22. Hurt was a close friend of another prominent Virginian, General George Washington.

During the Revolutionary War, General Washington strongly urged the Continental Congress to formally establish a chaplain corps to fight alongside his troops. Only weeks after the formation of the Continental Army and its first brigade, General Washington requested that chaplains be assigned to each regiment.

Two years after his ordainment as a minister, Hurt was appointed to be the Army’s first chaplain, assigned to the Sixth Virginia Regiment.

Hurt was a witness to the pain and horrors of war, as he fought alongside General Washington and his men at Trenton, Siege of Charleston and even at the encampment at Valley Forge. In 1781, he was captured as a British Prisoner of War and his time with his men was cut short. He spent months aboard British prison ships because of his attempt to gain intelligence from enemy forces. And in a letter, he wrote to General Washington during his capture, Chaplain Hurt expressed a longing to return to the battlefield.

After Chaplain Hurt’s release, he quickly returned alongside his men, continuing to comfort the spiritual needs of soldiers—on and off the battlefield.

In fact, one of his most poignant sermons, entitled “The Love of Our Country”, written years before his capture, was a heartfelt message providing hope and encouragement for soldiers in battle. Chaplain Hurt expressed how faith and religious belief would give them the will to keep fighting:

“We see then how closely the kind Creator has connected our interest with our duty and made it each man’s happiness to contribute to the welfare of his country…indeed the name of Patriot implies, in its true sense, everything that is most great and godlike among men; it carries in it the idea of a public blessing; it implies a power of doing good, exerted and extended to whole communities; and resembles, within its sphere, that universal providence which protects and supports the world.”

Heroes on the Spiritual and Physical Battlefields 

Little is known about John Hurt’s life, as many of his records were destroyed during the War of 1812. But it’s more than clear from what is known about him that he was a valiant fighter, unafraid to fulfill God’s calling in his life, and doing so by tending to our service members on the front lines.

As the first military chaplain, John Hurt was indeed a pioneer—the first of many military chaplains who’ve served with distinction and honor, who’ve accompanied our troops on the spiritual and physical battlefronts.

Without the passion and devotion of heroes like John Hurt, those who fought in the Revolutionary War would have had to confront the greatest military power at the time without any hope, comfort or source of encouragement.

Today, Chaplain Hurt’s emotive sermon—The Love of Our Country—is all the more applicable. In this time of rising hostility to faith and religion in our military, it seems like “patriotism” and “duty” have instead been replaced with animosity towards our servicemen who want to live out their faith.

Opponents like the deceptively named Military Religious Freedom Foundation are weaponizing the “cancel culture” to launch an All-Out assault on religious freedom, to erase and destroy any vestige of religion from the military.

That’s why here at First Liberty, we’re honored to fight for America’s heroes on the spiritual battlefront. Those include former First Liberty client and retired U.S. Navy Chaplain Wes Modder, a decorated veteran with 20 years of unblemished service, including a role as a force chaplain to Navy SEAL Team Six.

Or, compassionate men like FLI’s former client Chaplain Joseph Lawhorn, who held suicide prevention trainings and shared his testimony of how his Christian faith helped save his life.

As we celebrate the 245^th Anniversary of U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, Chaplain Hurt’s story is a powerful reminder of why religious liberty is so crucial in our country, and why this First Freedom is also vital in America’s armed forces.

Without religious freedom, military chaplains—essential to the spiritual fitness of our military—would not be able to live out and serve according to their faith. And for many brave men and women, it is their faith and their duty to God that is the wellspring of strength giving the courage to risk their lives for freedom.

From the Desk of VFA Chaplain, Marty Ynman-US Navy Veteran

 A Christmas Message

Why do we have Christmas? Everybody has seen the words in all kinds of pictures, posters, and displays, "Jesus is the reason for the season." And, justifiably so, it's intended to maintain the focus of our celebrations during this time of year on Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, born a baby in a manger. But amid all the parties, celebrations, the get togethers, the family trips, the gift exchanges, and secret Santas, all of the activity that comes out of those gatherings tend to actually overshadow the one central figure that should be garnering all the attention. Jesus should be the focus. He should be talked about. He should be celebrated. He should be on the hearts and minds of everyone engaging in their commemorative experiences. But it's far from that, isn't it? Christmas parties have become a feast of eating and drinking and doing whatever is allowable in the name of having fun and without a mention of the name of the Savior, with the possible exception of a few Christmas Carol's thrown in... maybe.

More and more over the centuries we have forgotten why we have Christmas. Allow me to offer my humble opinion as to the real reason for the season.

It all starts in the story at the very beginning of the Bible that describes the origin of things. God's deep and passionate love for the man and woman he had created prompted him to set boundaries for their protection.  But whatever was on the other side of the boundary was far too enticing for the couple and the tender love that God had displayed daily they set aside to grab what was attractive but also deadly. What they didn't realize was that choosing what was enticing over the love in God's caution would ultimately destroy all of God's plans to care for and cherish His created beings. They chose their own way rather than the way God had declared for them. The result was that everything was now broken, destroyed, and lost and they were then introduced to a life that would rely on their own efforts to survive. God told the human couple in the Garden, "If you sin, you will introduce death into the world."

Well, that's what happened. Those humans brought death into the world by their rejection of God's love and we humans maintain death's reign and experience the resultant heartache by our own daily rejection of His love.

However, when the angel in the Christmas story tells Joseph that Mary's going to be having the child Jesus, he adds, ,"He will save people from their sins." Sin had brought death and destruction. Jesus' coming to earth is the path to seeing everything set right again, back to the way God intended. That means that Jesus came in response to the condition of the world that we humans set in motion. We are the reason Jesus came. We are the reason we have Christmas! We needed a Savior and God sent one. We are the reason for the season!

God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, He sent His Son. That's what all the celebrating is supposed to be about.

So yes, let's celebrate, exchange gifts, enjoy the food, friends, and family. But let's do it keeping in mind the reason - we needed help and out of His love, He responded.

Blessings,

VFA Chaplain Marty Ynman

From the desk of VFA Chaplain Samuel Adamson

Dear Troops, Veterans and friends,

Regarding fear.

Yes, fear can control and limit our lives.  Strangely, I have had a fear of those in high authority--but somehow, I survived 20 years in the military.  Soon helped me by saying "think about what people in authority can do for you not just what they can do against you." Humans fear many things (many phobias).  Some humans fear death, or disease, or people, or accidents, or failure, or criticism, etc. etc. etc.

King David had fears, but he was able to overcome his fears with the help of God.  David wrote in Psalm 27:1, 2, "The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear:  The LORD is the stronghold (strength) of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?"

With God on our side, how can we lose?  It may appear that we are losing, but over time we shall overcome with God's help.

 Who should we boast about?  Should we boast about ourselves or the rich, famous and powerful? The best person to boast about is God!  King David boasted about God (YHWH) all the time. In Psalm 34:1-3, King David boast in the Lord by saying:

"I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.  My soul will BOAST in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together."

 We can trust God.  If there is anyone you trust, let it start with God.

The psalmist writes in Psalm 89:14, 15, "Righteousness and justice are the foundations of Your Throne; love and faithfulness go before You.  Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim (worship) You, who walk in the Light of Your Presence, O LORD." 

Yes, you and I can trust God to love us, be faithful to us, and to show Himself right and just toward us.  Be blessed as you walk in the light of His presence!

 We just remembered on Memorial Day those who gave their all to the country in the military.

It reminds me that it is important for our nation to acknowledge God in our lives and in our country.  If we lose faith in God, we lose.  America has been a great nation and it will continue to be blessed as long as we acknowledge God.

Let's remember Psalm 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He chose for His inheritance."

Talk about true confessions!  The confession of King David after he committed adultery and murder will probably go down in history as the greatest confession.  King David's confession of sin is found in the Hebrew Bible in Psalm 51:

 "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;  according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.  Wash away all my always before me.  

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.   Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;  wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.  Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. "Wow!  King David's confession is real and deep.  He wrote it down for people of all history to see his confession and learn from it.  David was more concerned about offending God than anyone else.  In the conclusion, King David accepted God's forgiveness and demonstrated hope that God could use him again.  God truly forgave though the natural consequences of his actions carried out in his life in family tragedies.  Let us learn from King David.  It is interesting that former President Bill Clinton published a long letter of confession for the press (not as forthright as King David), but the details of the confession were largely ignored by the press. 

 It is a joy to give back to God.  We are just stewards of what God has given us--finances, bodies, talents, mental abilities, etc.  In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), King David states in Palme 68:18, "You receive gifts from men (people)."

We see the principle of giving a little is better than giving nothing (John 6:5-10).  In this event, a boy gave 5 small barley loaves and two small fish.  However, Jesus fed 5,000 men (and including women and children) with those 5 loaves and 2 fish.  Always remember that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6).

 God has a purpose for you.

King David wrote in Psalm 138:8, "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me;  Your love, O LORD, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands."

In the book of Jonah, we see that God had a purpose for Jonah.  God told Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh (most important city of the time) and "preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

God said to Jonah, "Go!"  Jonah said, "No!"  God responded, "Oh?"  When God says, "Oh"  something big is about to happen.

Well, you know the rest of the story how Jonah was swallowed by a great fish, had a near death experience, and Jonah finally said, "Yes, Lord, Okay, whatever you say!"

It is best if we say "yes" to God's purpose for us right away.  Let's be like the Prophet Isaiah, who responded to God's call, "Here am I, send me!"

God is love. God is loving. Love is the main characteristic of God.

King David sinned by pridefully demanding a census of his army.  God brought punishment on David's pride, but God showed His love in forgiving King David and Israel for their pride. As a result of God's forgiveness, King David celebrated the love of God in Psalm 103: "Praise the LORD, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits--

Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth; so great is His love for those who fear (revere) Him, as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

Seek Peace

The Bible tells us to be people of peace rather than violence.

Psalm 34:14 (Hebrew Bible), "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

Psalm 37:37, "there is a future for the man of peace."

Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."

Matthew 5:9 (Beatitudes), "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God."

(In contrast) Matthew 26:52, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."  (We could paraphrase this for today and say, "all who draw the gun will die by the gun."

 The parable of the lost son. 

The parable is found in the Bible in Luke 15.  Some have called it the greatest story ever told.  The parable tells us there was a rebellious son who demanded his inheritance before his father died.  The youngest son went off and squandered his inheritance on wild living.  Well, you know the story--he ran out of money and hired himself to feed and take care of the pigs.  We assume this young man was Jewish (the setting of the story is from Israel) and so that would be offensive and a low point in life to be feeding pigs.  In the story, it is stated that the young man comes to his senses and says to himself, 

"How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  I will go back to my father and say to him: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men'."

Of course, you remember the rest of the story--the son goes back to his father, the father sees him at a great distance and runs to his son, kisses him and throws a party for him!  The father forgives the repentant son and says, "This son of mine was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found so we had to celebrate."  Wow!  What a good, forgiving, loving and accepting father!  Oh that all fathers would be so great.

Jesus told this story, but never used the name of God in the whole parable, but we can see that he is alluding to God as the greatest and most loving Father that ever lived!  Let us rejoice in our loving heavenly Father!  Let us aspire by God's help to be such loving, forgiving and accepting fathers and grandfathers.

The Parable of the Lost Son-Luke 15. 

There are (3) primary people in the parable of the Lost Son.  There is the lost son, the critical son, and the good father. Which one do we feel we are most like?

1. The lost son.  He rebelled against God and his father.  In his rebellion, he demanded an early inheritance from his father, and he left the family. The lost son was truly lost, and he went off into a far country and squandered all his inheritance in wild living. When his money was gone, so were his supposed friends. His life became painful and lonely.  The lost son got a humiliating and low paying job. (All God's children are rebellious to some extent). 

The lost son came to his senses, returned home, confessed his wrong to his father. The lost son was found and was accepted by his father as a son. The lost was found and regained a sense of family, duty and self-worth. Happy ending!

2. The critical son. The older brother was not happy at all with the return of his sinful, wasteful, and rebellious brother. The elder brother had nothing but criticism for his rebellious younger brother. He complains to the father that the rebel was "your son" not "my brother."  The critical son was possibly jealous of his rebel brother who got to  experience the wildlife while he was busy working at home. The critical brother made no room for forgiveness, acceptance or love in his heart. The critical brother felt he was better, holier and superior to his rebellious brother. Are we like, the critical brother sometimes?  We think others are inferior to us and we are not willing to forgive, accept, and love others?
3. The loving father. Wow!  This is a really good dad in the parable! In a way, the father is central to the story more than the rebellious son. I hope all of us are loving, accepting and caring like this father in the story. The father is watching and eagerly hoping the lost son will return. The father sees him, runs to him, kisses him, gives him a robe, a ring (symbol of acceptance in the family with authority), and shoes. Then, the father throws a party for his son who was dead (spiritually) and now alive!  God is never mentioned in the story, but we get an idea that the father here is really our heavenly Father.  God is the only perfect Father and God forgives, accepts and blesses us rebels in His family. 

If you have wandered away from your heavenly Father, it is not too late to repent and return to Him!

Conclusion: Which one are we most like? Who do you want to be like?  You can be more than you are with God's help.

Featured Poems

Mary’s Day

Written By

Chuck Levin-US Army Veteran

Of this most miraculous day

To all they will tell the story

Of a light that came to say

In all its starlight glory

Awaken glorious day of Joy

For Mary’s Day a baby boy

In days of Shepard’s and Kings

A miracle birth of a star from above

Three wise men came with gifts beckoning

To receive the newborn, ‘Prince of Love’

Awaken glorious day of Joy

For Mary’s Day a baby boy

From a child’s early babbles

To forecast in a Prophet’s words

Speaks a man who speaks in parables

Throughout the world His word is heard

Awaken glorious day of Joy

For Mary’s Day a baby boy

In a humble birthplace, in a manger

A savior of man is born in Bethlehem

For the world’s untold unknown strangers

He washes clean away their stains of sin

Awaken glorious day of Joy

For Mary’s Day a baby boy

May Peace reign upon earth He sings

To praise Heaven on high in a hymn

Dawn’s golden light of Peace He brings

For us to find our Soul’s light within

Awaken glorious day of Joy

For Mary’s Day a baby boy

LIGHT UPON THE SEA

Ahoy, ye captains of the sea;

 Depart darkness, craters of iniquity!

 Affirm Light! Light as bedaubs the morn;

 Welcome amidst the terror awash the sorrow shorn.

 Darkness flees from one candlelight:

Welcome grace & peace-lightning bolts, fractured sky;

Pale orange daubs into the sea;

 Waves render gilded gold patterns of eternity.

 Even when I refrain from activity;

Crescent moon hung against starlit night, rekindles faith in

Thee.

Written By

NorthShore Lighthouse

Maurice Saito

1/03/14

The View From Above

Rick Martinez-USMC Vietnam Veteran

I walked to the top of the mountain on the most beautiful

of Spring days

I relished the beautiful scenery with each step that I took

The majestic deep blue sky with scattered fluffy clouds

The forest around me a living Universe of its own

The abundance of life in this forest seemed to welcome me

The birds, squirrels, and the deer

They all seemed to welcome me in their own way 

Onwards I climbed to a destination I have never known

Anticipating my reward for a tireless feat

The view from the top of the mountain

will surely compensate me justly

So, I joyfully continued my journey and upwards I climbed

As I sat down to have my lunch

I noticed that the sun was climbing too

And while I was resting from my journey

thoughts began to fill my mind

What I imagined would be just a journey

of a beautiful day on the mountain

Has wondrously turned into an awaking of my soul!

Life has those days when you are standing on top of the mountain

Life also has those days when you are in the valleys, too

But with every experience, life tells us

This too will pass,

This too, will pass…

So, I think to myself

“Let this day last an eternity in the heart of my soul”

This beautiful day, I stand on top of the mountain

I gathered my things and rested, I continued my climb

And once again I took in the beauty around me

At last, I finally reached the top of the mountain

I looked up at the sun in the deep blue sky

The sun too has reached the very top of its journey

And now it starts its descent

I glimpsed the valley far below from the mountain top

I have left my world behind

If only for this day

All my joys, heartbreaks, worries and pain

are far, far below

So, in a solemn moment

I say a prayer of thanks

As I sat there on the chair made of stone

My life flashed before me in waves of passing scenes

Like in a movie, you can see but can never really touch

The questions began to fill my mind 

Have I become the person that I was meant to be?

Have I fulfilled my life purpose?

Do I have regrets?  Everyone has a few

How do I correct my mistakes from the past?

The answer came softly from within

“Life is a living prayer, therefore, live life fully!” 

Of course, so true, I am thinking…

Enjoy each day

One moment at a time

Enjoy the days in the valley

And also,  the days on top of the mountain

For each is Sacred

And have their just reward 

Life’s true purpose is to serve mankind

And to make this world a better place

It is time to go back to the valley

far, far below

For there are things that I must do

I am going to make this world a better place 

I am going to do this for me 

And also, for you

In Golden Levis

Where the Gray Speckled Bird flies

In Western songs of The Pioneers

There is a trophy of Golden Levis

For the strong ones with few fears

Their only fear is their passing lives

In Golden Levis

In capes and leather breastplates

Like Vaqueros in Cowboy Days of old

A Knight’s chivalry is sadly out of date

Puffed-up bravado sagas so I am told

To save the day it is never too late

In Golden Levis

Out West mothers croon lullabies

Saga songs sung gently in her baby’s ear

Here is a golden trophy of Golden Levis

Raise your toasts with ample Cheers

For a true love who sheds no tears

In Golden Levis

Where there are open Western ranges

Hill and Dale, you’ll hear Nature’s cry

Deer and antelope are not strangers

Where City signs need not apply

For the ones who shadow dangers

In Golden Levis

The day I meet my Master maker

The Sun sets once more out West

There is a trophy of Golden Levis

For a U.S. Veteran has passed the test

It is how one lives not how one dies

In Golden Levis

By: Chuck Levin

U.S. Army Veteran

“Reflection”

Written By

Erin Forrest (Son of George & Rosie Forrest)

Today I peered through the stifling mist
That separates the spirit world from the land of my Grandfathers.
I see little resemblance of the land I knew where in my time,
I was spawned and grew.
Gone is the pristine beauty that inspired my youth.
Seasonal fragrances that permeated the glen
Replaced now by the offending odors of our conquerors.
The delicate sounds that announced the seasons are muffled now
By the unnatural clamor of the hairy ones.
In my youth I had tarried here
Blessed to have lived in a natural scheme
Where all things share a mutual bond.
The living and the inanimate shared space
As equals, without preference for the human race.
It was here as a boy I learned of honor, respect, and reverence.
To be appreciative of the world around me and of the mysteries that abound me.
Mysteries that dictated the character of life, here and beyond.
Early, it was my grandfather that taught me about the circle of life
And of the order of nature that maintains a fragile balance.
Where all things must contribute freely to sustain the perpetual balance of life,
Taking and giving equally.
I learned of joy as I learned of sorrow
It was ordained that each would strengthen my earthly journey
To enhance my faith in natures scheme.
All things that are born will surely die,
Such is no mortals dream.
Commanded by the will of the ancient ones
I embrace my vision quest in solitude
I sought to find myself and my key to the veiled world
between death and life.
My medicine bag holds my destiny in bounty and strife.
My quest completed, I was then a man.
A foundling perhaps, nonetheless a man.
My medicine honors me to be a dreamer
A bearer of mystical revelations
Sustained by grandfathers faith to be the seer for our nation.
My first coup I counted in an enemy camp undetected
I abducted my adversaries woman child.
She came to be my loving wife.
Guided by the master unseen hands
I became a warrior I aspired to be
The leader of my intimate band.
It was good to be alive
To exist in harmony with the world around
To enjoy the bounty of natural order
Unchallenged by the minds of men.
Such was… bounty.

An Indians Version of the 23rd Psalm

Rick Martinez

USMC-Vietnam Veteran

The Great Father Above, a Shephard Chief Is

I am His and with Him I want not

He throws out a rope to me

And the name of the rope is LOVE

He draws me to where the grass is green 

And the water is not dangerous

I eat and rest and I am satisfied

Sometime, it may be soon

Or it may be a very long time

I will walk into a valley

It is dark there but I'll be affraid not

For it is in-between those mountains

That the Shephard Chief will meet me

And the hunger that I have in my heart

All through this life will be satisfied

He gives me a staff to lean upon

He spreads a table before me with all kinds of food

He puts His hand upon my head 

And I feel a great calm

My cup He fills until it runs over

What I tell is true, I lie not

These paths that I walk will stay with me

This life and the next

At the end of this earthly journey

I will go live in the Great Tepee

And sit with the Shephard Chief

forever more 

Honoring Heroes

 

 

 

 

 Dallas Edward Shirley, 85, was called home to be with the Lord in San Antonio Texas on November 7, 2015. Dallas was born on October 24, 1930 to Frank Lee Shirley and Alice Matilda Hannsmann of San Antonio Texas. Dallas served in the United States Air Force Reserves and civil service from 1951- 1990. Dallas completed his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management at South Western University in Tucson, Arizona. Dallas had a lifelong passion for flying and fulfilled his dreams by becoming a commercial pilot, copilot, as well as obtaining his private pilot license. He flew many airplanes in his time, his favorite being a Piper J-3 Cub. His passions live on in the hearts of those that knew him. Dallas is a veteran of the Korean War, where he earned several medals, including the Korean service medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, as well as a Good Conduct Metal. After his retirement from the United States Air Force Reserves, Dallas started his own delivery company, JetX Delivery. His hobbies included: flying, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family. He was a handy man that always found new projects to complete. He lived life as a caring, generous, and giving man that never wanted to see anyone go without the basic necessities in life. Dallas was a strong man; He fought a long battle that he never gave up on. His strength will live on in those that love him. Dallas Shirley is proceeded in his death by his father; Frank Lee Shirley of Leon Valley, TX; Mother Alice Matilda Hannsmann of Losoya, TX.; Son John Shirley of Poteet, TX.; Daughter Evangeline Shirley of College Station, TX.; Brother, Raymond Shirley of Losoya, TX. Dallas Edward Shirley is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Hester C. Shirley of San Antonio, TX.; His loving children: Mark Shirley and his wife Cynthia of Harker Heights, TX; Kathleen LaVonne of San Antonio, TX.; Karen Shirley of Boerne, TX.; James Shirley and his wife Kristy of San Antonio, TX., and Elizabeth Shirley of San Antonio, TX. Dallas is also survived by numerous loving grandchildren. Dallas will be missed by many

 

 

 

 

We would like to invite you to watch Air Force LT. Colonel Jack Williams's Medal of Honor pre-packet interview.  LT. Col Williams will regale us with personal acts of valor and heroism on the battlefields in the Korean and Vietnam wars.  We are asking  news stations and social media to run this story. Please take this time to help out this great Jet Fighter pilot who just turned 92 on March 15, 2021 and show this Great War Hero to San Antonio; and America!! Help us reach President Biden to issue this award to LT. Col. Jack Williams.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/90xt2apcqd6bqf6/AADJkAwq00Xwm3qv7Jt0FBBNa/Veterans%20for%20America.mov?dl=0

Feeding Homeless Veterans

Happy Veterans Day

 Veterans For America wishes all United States Veterans a happy and blessed Veterans Day. Thank you for your sacrifice and service

National VFA Pizza Day Challenge February 9th 2022

National VFA Pizza Day Challenge February 9th 2022

Veterans for America has found a way to bring smiles and hope to Homeless Veterans and challenges others across the Nation to do the same.  A simple act of kindness can do so much for our Veterans. 

Flag Pole Challenge

Veterans for America came up with

“Veterans for America Flag Pole Challenge”

Basically what our goal is to promote our neighbors, civilian or veterans to put flags on their houses in a sign of unity and come togetherness in this time of “a need for a little pride!” As Texans we all suffered through the Texas Winter Storms Feb. 2021 that hit our homes pretty hard. In addition to rolling blackouts we had water issues, plumbing issues with most of Texas without water for some time! All the while trying to deal with and survive COVID 19. It is not political it’s not racist we are all one, we are all Americans and the Flag Pole Challenge just like the ice bucket challenge people can come together and unify under one symbol under one great symbol the United States Flag. We would like to offer to use Boy Scout troops to go door-to-door and help promote our challenge. All we need from you is your social media platform and a voice. We are not asking for any money or donations, just help in promoting our challenge.  Go to your neighbors on your street and ask if they would like to participate in the Veterans for America Flag Pole Challenge. The flag kits are at Lowe’s for $9.97 with your military discount it is $8.87 for the flag kit. Please friends promote this Challenge on ALL of your Social Media platforms.. Tell your families, friends, and everyone you know.

Let's Come Together and make a difference

Thank you for your consideration,

VFA Board of Directors 

A Message of Gratitude, Inspiration and Hope from the Desk of our new VFA Chaplain, Marty Ynman, U.S. Navy Veteran

                                                    Veterans For America's

                                                      Chaplains Corner

The VFA Executive Board of Directors and Veterans, welcomes our new VFA Chaplain.

 E5 Marty Ynman Radarman 2nd Class U.S. Navy Veteran 

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Message's of Gratitude, Inspiration and hope from our new VFA Chaplain.

Proverb 27:12 announces that the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. It’s heartbreaking to know someone, especially a relative or a loved one who is trapped in a bad situation just because of the poor choices they make. It could be repeatedly getting into bad relationships. It may be living with destructive habits. Whichever way it shows up it seems to not only follow a string of bad choices, but it is also perpetuated by those same bad decisions.

The interesting thing about those bad decisions is that they aren’t the result of any trickery or deception, they’re choices that are made knowing full well what the consequences will be but are mentally pushed aside because what is hoped is that the decision will not end in pain but will somehow magically work out. It never does. The pain always comes and the situation keeps repeating itself.

Which category do you fall into? Are you among the prudent or the simple? What does prudent mean? Here are some synonyms; practical, sensible, wise, careful, cautious. “A ‘wise’ person, a ‘sensible’ person sees danger, recognizes it, is fully aware that it is dangerous and makes the decision to go down the road of safety, seeks protection from the danger. What about the ‘simple?’  - naïve, unsophisticated, green. A ‘naïve’ person keeps making the poor choice and the result is continued suffering. And of course, the sad thing is that that simple person also sees the wrong of his/her choice but decides to make the same bad choice and in doing so, can’t break the cycle of failure.

Every temptation to chase a wrong action is a recognizable danger. Sin, everyone knows, brings temporary satisfaction but then is followed by pain and suffering. Only a naïve person continues to make bad choices hoping for good outcomes.

God has given us control over choices. Making choices that will stop bad results only makes sense. It’s the thing that God wants us to do. In a different place in the Bible God says, “… Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance … fixing our eyes on Jesus…” Throwing off the temptations and keeping our eyes on Jesus is the only way we’ll be able to disentangle our lives.

I encourage all of us to take a good look at the things our enemy, the devil, puts before us that may look enticing but are intended to hurt us. See the danger inherent in his offerings and make the good, godly choices and be free. 

Fourth of July Prayer

 It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His Will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His Protection and Favor.

President George Washington

Happy Fourth of July! Be Safe and Be Well!

Happy 30th Aniversary, Veterans For America

In the coming New Year 2020, Veterans For America will be celebrating 30 Years of service to our fellow Veterans (brothers and sister's and comrades in arms).  We have assisted thousands of American Veterans from every State in America.  We know the enduring pain caused by PTSD.  We know what it is like to be patiently waiting for that much deserved Service-connected disability.  We know what it is like when even your closest relatives don't understand your pain.  We know, because we have been there, too.  We have anniversaries dates that blindside us and take the fun out of living.  That makes us fall into that bottomless pit, and feel abandoned by everyone.  And, what it's like to have those days when we feel like just giving up.  

It has been an honor and a pleasure to be working with some of America's greatest Veterans who have compassionately served Veterans without compensation, (Veterans For America is a 100% volunteer Organization) from General's and High Ranking Officer's to sergents and corporals) who have held positions on the Veterans for America, Executive Board of Directors over the last 30 years, my sincere thanks. 

And, even though Veterans For America has accomplished so much since our inception back in 1990 and, has helped thousands of Veterans and their families, I still see the numbers of homeless Veterans still living on our streets (estimated 50,000) and, I read and hear about the tragic Veterans Suicides in our country (at least 22 each day).  More than anything else in my life, these numbers tear my heart to pieces. This is why I have vowed to myself to passionately help my Fellow Veterans, (brothers and sisters) until my last dying breath.  It is Veterans For America's vision to see the largest Veterans Awareness Music Festival on the grounds of the White House in Washington D.C. with the purpose of bringing an awareness to the America people that we have a seriously critical problem that needs to be addressed at all cost.  To see, VFA Veteran Villages Base Camps in every State so that NO Veteran would ever have to be homeless again.  To have our very own VFA National Veterans Credit Union so that Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel can get a one-time, long term (10) year, personal loan in the amount of up to, $50,000.00 with a 3.5% interest rate and, a (15) day grace period. This Emergency Loan would also have an optional (if requested), "Skip the December payment" each year with no penallty.  And, it would be great to see the Mergers and Acquisitions of the Blackstone Group Motel 6 and Motel 8 converted to the United States Armed Forces and Veterans: 

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LUXURY INN AND SUITES

A place where homeless Veterans can stay, rest and re-group for (7) days, every (6) months, Free.  And, it would be great to see Honorably Discharged Veterans continuing to protect America after they have completed their time in the United States Armed Forces.  

This is our Vision, and will continue to be our mission;     

                               END Veteran Homelessness

                                                 STOP

                              Military and Veteran Suicides

*This is the time for ALL (18.2 million) Veterans to UNITE as ONE solid unit and accomplish this High-Priorty mission once and for all.

Veterans For America is grateful to everyone who has donated and supported our cause to improve the quality of life for America's Veterans and, especially those who have been with us on this long incredible journey in helping our fellow Veterans.  My sincere thanks. 

Veterans was founded by;

VETERANS HELPING VETERANS

 May you all be blessed beyond your greatest dreams!!!

Sincerely,

Rick P Martinez, USMC Vietnam Veteran

Veterans For America, Founder