“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends…” John 15:13
What does that mean to you? Sgt. Rock, Stephen Walker (Ordained IPHC) has a deep understanding of what the Lord was communicating. On Sunday morning, October 31, 2010, Sgt. Rock memorialized 1LT Stephen Doane, who at the age of 22 years of age paid that ultimate sacrifice.
Sgt. Rock walking point on March 25, 1969 in Hau Nghia, Republic of Vietnam, along with two friends were pinned down under heavy fire. Lt. Doane, having served only 60 days in Vietnam, saw there was little hope of taking a large group of men in to rescue the three men in his platoon. Lt. Doane attacked the first bunker by emptying his M16 and wiping them out while being wounded himself. He then attacked the second bunker and was wounded again, then he took out his grenades, pulled the pins and dove into the bunker. He received the Medal of Honor for his action that day for saving the lives of his men.
It was a moving time standing in the Arlington Cemetery as Sgt. Rock read from Psalms 27, speaking to the men and women present about the strongholds we develop. He then challenged all of us to come out of our self imposed stronghold and allow Jesus to free us and allow Him to be our true stronghold of safety.
Sgt. Rock then read from General Douglas McArthur’s last speech at WestPoint. Let me just remind us of one of the statements, ‘this does not mean that you are warmongers. On the contrary, the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.
May the challenge be threefold before us:
1. When you see a veteran during this season just prior to Veteran’s Day take a moment to express our deep appreciation.
2. May this thought drive us to be more thankful for our Lord and Savior’s extreme sacrifice.
3. Let us be challenged to commit our fullest effort to the war that is before us – the battle between good and evil – the battle for the souls of man – our hope – They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren’t in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ. Rev. 21:11
