Back a couple months ago I was watching a TV program of singer’s and song writers. One of the men that was introduced was Jimmy Fontaine and he wrote a song that I had heard before but never paid attention to the words like this time. Maybe because he told why he wrote the song and when I tell you the name you will probably know it or have heard it. The name of the song was “He’s More than A Name on the Wall” and how true that is.
A couple weeks ago I was in Vancouver, Washington when that song came back to my mind and again the words of hit a special cord in my hearts. You see there are eleven (11) names on that wall from Company A, 158th Assault Helicopter Battalion 101st Airborne Division or better known as “The Ghost Rider’s”. Each one of those names has a very special place in each of our hearts that served with these hero’s that paid the ultimate sacrifice. To their parents they were sons, to either, and/or a brother or sister they were just that a brother either older, the middle or the younger brother that didn’t make it home. To the wife and children if any they were husband and or Dad. To those of us that were serving with them they were our friend and brother in harm’s way. While listening to Jimmy not only tell why he wrote the song but at the end Bill Anderson (he was hosting the event) told him that a country lady singer by the name of Jan Howard had a sons’ name on that wall as well. They did keep showing her as he sang the song and you could see the tears coming after all these years. He told her that he hoped that song gave her some comfort and other’s that had loved one’s on that wall. I not only have the names of men that I served with but also a very good friend and a cousin that is listed on that wall. He was actually then Lt. Tommy Franks (now General Tommy Franks Retired) and a forward observer. As I said earlier all these names mean something special to each one of us in a separate and special way.
They not only have a Memorial to those Viet Nam hero’s but also to those from WW1, WWII, Korea and after Freedom Iraq and even Afghanistan war’s there will be a memorial to these hero’s and as it should be. These are hero’s in their own right for the sacrifice that they not only have but are making even tonight as I write this for my website. Some of these hero’s have not been killed during the war but have severe battle wounds such as missing arms, legs, and even been burned by either IED’s or burned by them.
I’m also reminded of another name though that is more than a name on a wall, a plaque, or on a card or even on a picture. His name is Jesus Christ and he paid the ultimate sacrifice that those names on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall can’t even match or come close to paying the price that He paid. The above mentioned men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we in America and all over the world can know this freedom that we so enjoy even though sometimes we seem to take it for granted or do not speak up for it.
Christ paid the price of being made fun of, ridiculed, mocked and even beaten to within an inch if His life because of His teachings and belief’s. No other person to be the Messiah or King of Kings have or can compare to what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has done for us. He made a way of escape for us from sin, even shed His blood for our physical healing. I know some people say that if He can heal us then why do people still die. That is the ultimate healing for those that believe in His healing power.
There is another awesome principle about Him and that’s out of all that have claimed to be Him He’s the only person that is alive and came out of the grave all those years ago.
He’s still ministering to people today even our wounded warriors from Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Not all of these veterans or active duty personal have physical wounds but they all have inner wounds to be healed such as PTSD. Christ is the only person or even Doctor that can give each of these people the healing that they need. He’s still calling them and telling them that He’s there for them all they have to do is turn towards Him and let Him touch their lives now.
He’ll even heal you of what’s bothering you and you don’t have to be a military veteran just a person that needs Christ to help you in this time of your life when you have a need that only He can take care of.
All you have to do now is ask Him for His help and healing hand to be placed on your life and change it the only way that He can.
Soldiers of the Cross Together,
Rupert Harrell
