|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
July 3, 2003 - "Battlefield Promises"
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"Don't call me an American because I live in America - call me an American because America lives in me." ~Anonymous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Give to hospitalized children! Visit the page of cancer patient and Woman Extraordinaire Gery E. Drahn, where you can help her in her drive to bring books, games and baby blankets to hospitalized children and babies! www.2theheart.com/Papillon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am excited to welcome a wonderful new writer to 2TheHeart! Dr. Hanson's determination to keep a battlefield promise endures to this day and his integrity in doing so makes him a true hero in my book.
BATTLEFIELD PROMISE
by Don J. Hanson
When I joined the Army on October 9, 1949--my seventeenth birthday--I was right in time for the Korean War. Now I didn't know much about war. I knew even less about Korea. But I was seized with a burning desire to help my country. And bring freedom to that faraway land. So while my friends were trying their best to stay out of the service, I was proud to be able to volunteer.
After boot camp at Ft. Ord, I was shipped off to Okinawa. I delivered Classified documents for six months, far away from danger. But I wanted to do more for Uncle Sam than that, so I volunteered for service in Korea. Suddenly I was in more action than I knew existed in my worst nightmares. As our 1st Calvary tried to make it through a rough mountain pass, with incoming mortar fire screaming overhead, it seemed impossible for any of us to make it. Mortars exploded everywhere. It was hard to see, hear, even to know the direction we were supposed to be heading.
There in the midst of that fierce battle, I talked to God as I never had before. I was already His child, having come to Christ when I was thirteen. And I loved studying His Word; in fact, a buddy and I spent hours back in Okinawa studying Navigators Bible memory courses. But I was a comfortable "armchair" Christian: glad to know God myself, but not that concerned about anyone else knowing Him too. I was a lot more interested in swimming, track, and basketball. And in making lots of money once I became a civilian again.
But now I saw how quickly life could be snuffed out for anyone. Including me. So I made God a solemn vow that if He brought me out of this alive, I would spend my life in His ministry--serving Him as wholeheartedly and faithfully as I had been serving my country--to help others find the joy I had found in Him.
Suddenly one of the mortars landed right beside my buddy. The explosion killed him instantly. I fell, bleeding profusely from the shrapnel and not knowing if the medics would reach me in time. Thankfully they did. But I was so badly wounded, I had to spend the next three years recuperating in hospitals in Japan and the U.S. And I'm still so full of shrapnel, I make airport metal detectors go wild. But I never turned my back on my promise. Whenever I could, I'd help out at the local "Victory Center," witnessing to fellow G.I.'s. And the day I received my discharge I head straight to a Christian college in Illinois to begin preparing for the ministry.
Years of service have followed in evangelism and pastorates from Illinois to Australia--including a Filipino one. Even after a massive heart attack ten years ago, I'm still active in a local church as elder, church chairman, encourager, and supporter.
Most people I've met over the years have looked down on battlefield promises as "fire insurance." But just as my body is still filled with shrapnel from that long-ago battlefield--where I fell, serving my country--my soul is still filled with the joy of my Lord. He has always kept all His promises to me. How thankful I am that He helped me keep my battlefield promise to Him!
Dr. Don Hanson copyright 2002
bonnieh1@worldnet.att.net
Dr. Don J. Hanson (his doctorate is in the field of Scriptural Marriage Relationships) has been married for 45 years to Bonnie Compton Hanson, a Christian author and speaker (her latest books are the Ponytail Girls series for girls). They rejoice in their three sons, daughters-in-law, and grandsons. They live in California.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One woman can and DID make a difference! Read the story and see the pictorial of how one woman volunteered at Ground Zero and truly gave from the heart to the firefighters, police officers and other volunteers during Septemner 2001. http://www.suzanvitti.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Letter Box:
Re: Prayer at Twilight:
From a Vietnam veteran: THANK YOU Dennis Dolan
Susan,
I can't thank you enough for sharing your father in law's vietnam story....my husband is a vet of nam...and it just does something to them...that we will never be able to comprehend...while he is a bubbly carefree person...i know memories lurk in the recesses of his mind...and how he was treated when he returned from fighting for our freedom...no one even cared...and the horror they saw....such a slap in the face to these brave courageous young men....he lost all faith in our government at that time, and sadly to say..hasn't voted since that time... and he is now 53 yrs old..and such a wonderful blessing in my life and to all those that are priviledged to brush his life in return....again...thankyou for a beautiful story of love and I will be praying for his recovery! sincerely, Denise Lanford
Susan,
Daniel's first hand account of his experience in Vietnam was deeply moving to me. The story of his "hardening," of experiences that robbed them of "innocence, ...youth,...and lives" is a poignant reminder to readers of the price fighting men pay for our freedom. The beauty of the day of relaxation near the river in contrast to the fighting is memorable. The story is a perfect tribute to the spirit that keeps our nation free. Blessings, meg Mary-Ellen Grisham meginrose@empowering.com
Dear Susan,
As usual, what a tremendous story...I am sure most of your readers will be able to see the scenes clearly in their mind's eyes. Prayers continue for your Father-in-law, and of course prayers for you, too.
Take care and God bless,
Diane (EB)
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
