Support Our Troops

Last week while in San Diego, it was a blessing and honor to meet three Navy SEALs. I appreciate these brave men, and as Romans 13:7 states, we give them honor that is due them.

Support Our Troops

"Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor."

(Romans 13:7)

I love our military and all those in uniform whose primary job is to serve and protect. When I served as pastor of Liberty Baptist Church (now Liberty Live Church), we had many in our congregation who served in the military. All five branches of the military were represented: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. I was blessed to know 3-Star Lieutenant Bruce Wright, Captain Stan Denham, and many others. On the day I baptized General Wright, I also baptized a local mayor, Gordon Helsel, who served valiantly in the Vietnam War. I have great respect for our brave men and women who put their lives on the line so that we can live in freedom here in the USA.

Last week while in San Diego, it was a blessing and honor to meet three Navy SEALs. Each one of these men had served in this elite Naval special force. One of the men who gave us instruction in how to shoot rifles was on SEAL Team Six and was on the raid that took down terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Another SEAL, Jimmy May, just retired in December after serving for 22 years. Here is a picture of Jimmy and me last week:

During a 3-hour cruise in the waters just off the coast of Coronado, Jimmy shared about some of his experiences while a SEAL. It is remarkable what these men do. Most who apply do not make it through the training called "Hell Week". Here is how the Navy describes this most intense week, part of the BUDS training:

"Hell Week is the defining event of BUD/S training. It is held early on – in the 3rd week of First Phase – before the Navy makes an expensive investment in SEAL operational training. Hell Week consists of 5 1/2 days of cold, wet, brutally difficult operational training on fewer than four hours of sleep. Hell Week tests physical endurance, mental toughness, pain and cold tolerance, teamwork, attitude, and your ability to perform work under high physical and mental stress, and sleep deprivation. Above all, it tests determination and desire. On average, only 25% of SEAL candidates make it through Hell Week, the toughest training in the U.S. Military. It is often the greatest achievement of their lives, and with it comes the realization that they can do 20X more than they ever thought possible. It is a defining moment that they reach back to when in combat. They know that they will never, ever quit, or let a teammate down." (Source.)

Jimmy has started a non-profit called Beyond the Brotherhood. The purpose of this group is to help SEALs transition back into civilian life after their military service.

I appreciate these brave men, and as Romans 13:7 states, we give them honor that is due them.

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