Caring For the Sheep

I grew up on a farm, 320 acres in a beautiful valley with a running creek, a pond, trees and greenest pastures I’ve ever seen. My father, a veteran of WW 2, was trained to do Veteran’s On the Farm training, to help train young (and older) men in new farm techniques developed in the 4 to 5 years that they had been away from their family farms.

Father was thus by nature and by training skilled in many fields…. He could give injections to the sheep (and my allergy shots to me!!), he could take apart a bulldozer and repair its internal problems, and he introduced new crops for hay that others had never used (Johnson grass). I think one of his favorite hay grasses to use was a sudan-sourgum blend, which seemed to make great hay for the winter. Before I was fully conscious, I’m told we had pigs. In the early years, we had goats and sheep. Later the high maintenance sheep were replaced by chickens and dairy cows.

The Atlanta Journal/Constitution, and the University of Georgia came to our farm for interviews, pictures of the pastures and our family, documentation of procedures, and farm life in Georgia. At one time, we had the largest sheep farm in the state. Later, my father’s chicken house was the FIRST fully automated one with temperature controls that triggered the coal-fired furnace to generate its hot water for heating. The watering troughs were automatically refilled when the water level dropped, and the grain feeding hopper and trough system (that was mostly welded together by dad) came on by timer several times a day, and moved the chickens feed through 2 large loops of troughs, at the low level the chickens needed. It was a show-place, and became at state-wide model. But you have to be careful around chickens… loud noises will frighten them, they will run together in piles, and can suffocate themselves by the thousands… that’s a horrible sight to see. Thunderstorms meant chicken house watch detail….

When the dairy barn was constructed, it was from the latest designs, to allow safest entrance and exit for the cows, most comfortable access for the vacuum milking machines, etc. My dad had a radio playing in the milking barn, because he understood that the music soothed the animals. And father could tell each cow apart, by their personality, and by the brass number tag hanging from their neck! Each cow got a different amount of feed, and there was a list in the barn of what that amount was, cow by cow… and my sister as a teenager was called by my dad, “the best helper I’ve ever had with the cows!” 

We had 3 John Deere tractors… one was gas-powered, one had a diesel engine that was started by a gasoline engine (the 70A was unique… 2 fuel tanks!) And that powerful 3020, which was the first diesel design that could start its own engine with 2 tandem 12 volt batteries!! Thousands of dollars we had in equipment, Thousands of hours of training for father and from him to us children, Thousands of hours of tending….. for one purpose: to take good care of the animals on our farm.

During lambing time, my parents would get up at midnight in the winter to act as mid-wives for the sheep. Sheep have to be moved every 2 weeks to a new pasture or the parasites they are prone to will take up residence in the group, and continually plague them. Sheep had to have regular oral injections of medication with a large syringe…. 500 sheep is a lot of shots to give!! They regularly can develop foot diseases, so father built a walk-through concrete wading pool, 5” deep, so that he could put the medication in the water, and have the sheep walk through it!

When I was about 6, and my sister 8, we were full-fledged farm helpers. Sheep are interesting… I was always anxious around the large herd of 500, especially when my dad would have us move them to the south pasture. This required moving them out of one pasture, down a road, making a right turn at a Y, then making a left turn off the road into another pasture…the sheep were tracing the outline of a capital M. If cars were coming, they had to wait! What was so amazing, is that terrifying as it was to have the first of 500 sheep come running at you… if you just gently waved your arms, and turned the first 5, the rest would follow!! You could actually left your place in the open road, run ahead of the sheep to the next turn, wave gently there, and turn them again into the next leg of their journey!! Amazing!! 

The dairy cows had calves, and they were kept with their moms in a separate pasture for a while. Each night I and the hired man’s son refilled the half of a half 55 gallon drum my dad had cut to make a watering trough. There was a hose run 100 feet for refilling, but it was quicker to also fill 5 gallon buckets and carry them to help fill the tank. Once I came to the trough with full water buckets, and the boy was throwing rocks at the calves, to drive them away!! “What are you doing?” “As soon as we get any water in the trough, they drink it up! We’ll never get it filled!!”

I don’t remember being kind as a 10 year old telling him: “The goal is not to fill the tank… the goal is to water the calves… and whatever time and water it takes to get them to be satisfied, and the trough THEN to be full for later, that is what we must and will do.” I was so upset with him…. I sent him home. Throwing rocks at those precious little calves, hitting them in the head, and sometimes on their tender sides, and they hadn’t done anything wrong, they were just coming for a drink because they were thirsty!! There was no place else for them to get the water they needed to survive in that particular pasture.

The stress and hours of the farm schedule finally became too much for my dad and our family, especially with my mom so sick from depression many months of the year, that he sold the farm when I was about 12. That was very painful for all of our family in many ways…. We gave up our beautiful home site, our natural recreation area of woods, creek, ponds, and rolling pastures…. I simply loved it there, though we later learned that I was allergic to every tree, grass, and animal on the farm!

So, some lessons I learned from animal husbandry…. You don’t yell and make loud threatening noises in the chicken house, NEVER, EVER…. You gently guide the sheep (dim-witted and poor-sighted as they are!)… It can all be done with a calm voice…..and you don’t EVER, EVER throw rocks at ANY of the animals. In fact, a good shepherd of animals provides food, water, medicine, medical care (animals need an onsite doctor like dad when you have hundreds of them), and preventive, protective measures. And, unfortunately, the farm doctor has to be on call 24/7….. But the farm owner, at least from my study of materials and my dad in action on the farm, is the VERY BEST FRIEND, and the VERY BEST THING, for every animal in his care.
© Tom B. Bandy, 6/22/13

Gratitude for Military Servicemen

In 2010, our youngest daughter had the opportunity to study and travel in Europe for the winter semester of her Junior year. Lee University has been hosting this trip for 20 years (among other trips) and it seemed like a great opportunity. Most of the time was study based at Cambridge, but much of the British Isles were included in their study.

At the end of the time in England are 2 weeks of "Independent Travel" anywhere in Europe, which the students have to plan, present for approval, and then execute. Her team was the first in 20 years to be able to design a program that led them through many major cities, but most importantly, to her goal of reaching Athens, Greece.

Communication was limited, she didn't take her phone or laptop, but used a shared computer the University provided. The group one day toured the American Cemetery at Cambridge, a 35 acre property donated by the University. It is truly a beautiful setting, of over a dozen American cemeteries in Europe. In one email, there was a statement that caught my attention. One of the tour guides at the Cemetery said that English citizens "adopted" American servicemen's graves, tended them, placed appropriate decorations at every American holiday, and passed this "adoption" down in the family through their wills. Hmmmm... that never comes up with our attorneys or financial planners, and my dad and 3 Bandy aunts were veterans of WW 2 !! She reported that there was actually a WAITING LIST of English citizens who cherished and wanted the high privilege of tending an American grave.

Curious to know more, I emailed the American Cemetery at Cambridge, to verify and understand this concept I'd heard of before: adopting American grave sites. Indeed, within 24 hours I received an kind and informative email response from the Director. He confirmed all our daughter had heard, with some clarification: "We do have a few graves at present available for adoption (of the thousands there...it's worth the time to see the amazing tribute in stone and chapel on the website.)" But just the week before, a couple from Holland had flown over to Cambridge to "adopt a soldier", because all of the grave sites in the Holland American Cemetery were taken.

In case your European geography is shaky, look at a map, and see that Holland is NOT next door to England! Travel is available by water, rail, or plane (their choice) but this is no small undertaking!! In adopting this American Soldier's WW 2 resting place, they are committing to travel several times annually from Holland to England, on US holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Victory in Europe Day. They will place something in honor of this man or woman who came over and served 3, 4, or 5 years until death. And because this privilege is so meaningful to them, it is legally possible and very common for this adoption to be passed to the next generation in that family, along with the other prized family "belongings."

The implications of this to me were Stunning. The War in Europe has been over 75 years. These people who are adopting cemeteries probably do not have any family members left alive who served in the European theater of operations. They have no way of knowing who these men and women are who came across the Atlantic 80 years before with a song, "The Yanks Are Coming, The Yanks Are Coming, and We Won't be Back Until it's Over, Over There." (Most of them would have arrived on the majestic Queen Mary, the largest and fastest ship in the world at the time.)

4 of my family members are World War 2 veterans. I seldom visit my own parent's grave sites. (I just know they AREN'T THERE, it's just a memory spot down here of their life.) I live 15 minutes from a National Cemetery... I once decided to detour and visit the cemetery, which is accessed by a 4 lane highway. After what seemed like a mile, with nothing visible but the grass and rolling hills, I turned around and continued my trip.

But this week in Europe (and it won't be on any news media that you can find), thousands of citizens who speak a language I cannot understand, will be streaming to the dozen plus American Cemeteries to pay tribute to "their" American soldier. Why? Gratitude, simple, deep, moving gratitude. Because those peculiar cigarette smoking, chocolate dispensing American servicemen saved their lives, saved their country, from one of the most dangerous enemies the world has known. While In the USA, we'll make sure we have a flag flying, and try to have a BBQ gathering or pool party with friends, across the "Great Pond" will be thousands of people honoring those servicemen in a way that make our celebrations fall far short.

Not everyone is so grateful, it's true. Some years ago our Vice President was in France (bless their hearts) and one of the cabinet ministers was railing about American military still being in Europe, and requested that ALL AMERICAN soldiers be removed from the continent. For whatever you might think of then Vice President Dick Cheney, I loved his quick reply: "Sir, would you have us empty our cemeteries as well?"

Gratitude, simple gratitude.... for some unknown soldier, coming to save an unknown people who could not save themselves. The implications are staggering, just in terms of national appreciation (or lack there of.) But the spiritual application is more gripping. Just having been to a Lord's Supper service: "do this in remembrance of ME," I think my appreciation was pretty skimpy, compared to our European cousins.....many of whom no longer acknowledge any "faith" at all. But they are grateful for servicemen who had an American flag on their shoulder, for they know what freedoms they have were guaranteed by a sacrifice of blood, and giving of life!!

American Battle Monuments Commission

www.abmc.gov

My FATHER'S Will

Doing My Father's Will:
30 years ago in October, I received a short phone call after church that my father had died. That event, coming 15 years after my mother's death, opened a rather challenging life story. When my mother died, after years of emotional (mental illness) I said out loud to the ceiling, "the nightmare is over." When my father died, my mental response was: "the nightmare has begun again." He left a business of rental property, and I knew that would be complex to operate from a mile away. Three days after his death, he had an appointment for a physical that would have guaranteed an insurance policy that would cover all the final expenses and inheritance taxes....

So, I became sole executor of my father's estate, upon probation of his will "in solemn form". The new executor immediately engaged a recommended attorney to help navigate the tricky business of "settling the estate." From them I learned the one page will was not what it should have been, and measures were taken to insure that I could properly do my 3 duties as executor: "Marshall the assets, protect and advance the assets, and distribute the assets." Seemed overall simple enough.
At the same time, I also became fiduciary of my father's estate: I was the money man, in change of financial matters. I also became the trustee of the estate, the person/entity who is the legal signer of all documentation, as if my father were still living, doing business himself. Finally, from the will itself, I was already an "heir at will".... designated as one of those people to whom the executor side of me would someday begin distributing the assets of the estate. It's not been all that easy.

Thankful am I to the person who told me: "you will not believe what will happen, what you will face, with people where money is involved." I have been sued by someone whose deed from my father on a piece of property had an error by a careless surveyor... after $6,000 legal fees, the attorneys advised: "there is indeed no merit to their claim, but you might as well quitclaim now, lest this become the most expensive piece of property in the County." (In other words, "you're stupid to keep paying us!"). I have had to collect debts owed to my father from those who "were sure he was going to give them a break, he was a real nice guy." "Yes, I knew the man, too. He never mentioned any adjustment. He's dead, but I am not, and he would have requested payment. "

So for 30 years, longer than I actually had conscious knowledge of the man, I have tried to faithfully execute my father's will. It has not always been easy, and has probably the one thing in my life that has been the biggest test sometimes. When the CPA who was to do the 706 kept procrastinating completing the "Death Tax Return", I had to drive to his office, collect the papers, and do it myself. (Don't EVER try that!) Much to my surprise, the estate was NOT debt-free, and the funds on hand were not sufficient to pay the final taxes. Thanks to a local banker's trust, the executor was given a loan of $25,000 in 19 days on a house in another county they had never (and have never) seen, in order to pay the taxes. (Thankfully, under President Ronald Reagan, the ceiling on inheritance taxes was raised dramatically, and future executors were not placed in the same challenging circumstances.) One heir in particular kept asking about "distributions" and I had to explain there were no funds to distribute, that the bills and taxes were absorbing all the income. I finally had to ask, "you weren't planning on his death, were you?"

Recently, upon preparing the 25th tax return for the KRB estate, the CPA just asked me if we were going to have a "silver celebration" of 25 years of business of the Kenneth R. Bandy Estate. I replied, "No, that would be celebrating the 25th anniversary of my father's death, and I don't believe I'll be doing that." He was horrified when he realized what he'd said, yet I thought it was HILARIOUS, and knew father would have found it quite humorous as well. It may be the highest and lightest point of this adventure, and I have enjoyed re-telling that story! (The CPA is still not yet over his embarrassment!)

SOOO, as best I know, as best I could, even 30 years removed from a conversation with my dad, I have done what I thought was right, and what he would have done if he were in my unique position. Until I file final papers with the Judge, the KRB estate continues to function.

A more important question keeps coming to mind, that I'm not so sure about: Have I been as faithful about my FATHER's WILL, as I have been about my dad's? Everything about my dad's estate will eventually be nothing, with the rest of this world. It's a question that will not go away: Am I fulfulling my obligation and calling, to execute my FATHER'S WILL?

Marine Tribute: Semper Fi!

Marine Tribute: 

Grateful for The Faithful!

You have seen them on the beaches
Where they’ve landed on the shore,
Almost always on the Forefront,
When the Country goes to war.

Parris Island serves as midwife
For these sons who stand so tall.
Ever ready, always training,
For whatever task may call,

Homeland, grateful, awes them proudly
As they serve across the seas
Under Foreign suns or friendly,
Facing foe, harsh clime, disease.

Battles deadly, sore, with evil
They have fought without defeat
Never leaving comrades wounded,
Never calling for retreat.

From the books of history’s pages,
They stand out, so Few, so Proud
From the tongues of warrior sages,
Hear their exploits told aloud.

“Did you know one?? Have you met one??”
“Oh, Yes!” proudly answer I,
And I know he lived the motto:
“Always Faithful” – Semper Fi !

In honor of all our faithful Marines
© Tom B. Bandy tbandy523@comcast.net
3/5/03 770-548-3020

Europeans Honor American Cemeteries

Our youngest daughter studied a semester in Europe her Junior year at Lee University, winter of 2010. The group toured the American Cemetery at Cambridge, one of over a dozen of our WWII cemeteries in Europe. The guide mentioned that English citizens may be on a waiting list of up to 2 years to have the privilege of tending an American serviceman's grave site. Once this "privilege" is received, ...it is passed down through that family by will, as long as the heirs desire it.

I was stunned! Seventy years after one of these men/women in American uniform died, English citizens want the privilege of placing flags and flowers on majot American holidays, for people they've never met?? It had been years since I visited Arlington or any of our home-based National Cemeteries. I emailed the head caretaker to ask more...he kindly responded back.

Indeed this was all true, except that at that time, the Cambridge Cemetery actually had a few graves available to "adopt." Just the previous week, he said, a couple had flown from Holland to England to adopt 2 gravesites, because all of the gravesites in Holland were "taken", and the waiting list was too long. This meant that on every major American holiday, they were committing to fly to England to place flowers and flags on these 2 gravesites, and wanted to pass that privilege down their family line. After 70 years!! I was humbled, and embarrassed by my own lack of appreciation.

When Pearl Harbor was bombed and President Roosevelt spoke about that disaster as Congress declared war on both Germany and Japan. FDR said, "This is a day that shall live in infamy." Winston Churchill, having lead England through weary years of resistance and response to night bombings is known to have said, "Now we shall win! Now we shall win!" Obviously, some European citizens take their gratitude to American military service personnel very seriously. Maybe we should take a hint....

Granite Gray, Marble White

(In remembrance of fallen servicemen)
The setting is a national cemetery, or the military section of any cemetery,
with the rows of identical crosses or stones; and how they arrived there,
for a lifelong faithful duty, for those whose faithful duty is over.
The Most Difficult Poem I Ever Wrote:


Rows and rows of faithful soldiers, keeping watch until the dawn
Over the beds of finest men and women, that ever nation spawned.

Whence came these quiet soldiers, with steady, unwavering gaze,
Who watch o’er their beloved, through dimming evening haze?

From the bowels of earth and mountainside, from edges of earth’s crust,
The drill, blast, scoop, have yielded them from out a cloud of dust.

Unknown to fellow travelers who journeyed their same road,
With similar wheels and engines to bear their heavy load,



They came! To this green carpet, for years to solemn stand,
To mark the final resting of the choicest of the land.

And now, in ceaseless vigil, with crest of morning dew,
They serve their fallen comrade; and mark a spot beneath the blue.

Both here by accuracy of man, machine, and blast of power,
From that great noise and energy, to this quiet, solemn bower.

One from dark earth to sun, the other from sun to dark earth.
The end of one’s tumultuous watch became the other’s birth.



Yet, we would have it different now, and trade one for the other,
And have again in loving arms: dad, mom, sister, son, or brother.

But no reply from partners, still. No matter loud the tears,
No response from either soldier, in this or other years.

Naught! But quiet example, of service, brave and true.
Their steady gaze and forward press, their gift to me and you.

If one reflects on what they say, with voices now unheard,
They speak their timeless message still, without an uttered word.


In appreciation of the soldiers’ gift to us, which was with great loss to their families.
© Tom B. Bandy
4/23/03 – 4/30/04

Ben McNeal Day

A wealthy fellow in NC heard of Ben's illness a few months ago at a prayer meeting, and had this video made about my wife Lisa's nephew in Wake Forest, NC, Ben McNeal. After his mom died of ALS in 1990, his dad Don married my wife's sister Paula. They moved to Wake Forest with oldest son Daniel so that dad Don could work on a degree at Southeastern Seminary.

In 2008, Ben's older Marine brother Daniel was sent home from his 2nd tour in Iraq, having developed the disease. Daniel died in June of 2008, leaving behind a wife and stepson. His decline followed the 6th month pattern of his mom's.

In the summer of 2009, Ben was diagnosed with ALS after beginning to lose muscle control in his left arm... in November he had no function in his left arm or hand, and had lost movement in his right hand. Ben would have been 22 on his birthday December 15th. There was very little that he could do for himself, physically.... BUT: He did become a source of encouragement to those around him!!

Several church and community friends rallied around him, befriended him, and did special events for him. A special "Ben McNeal Day" was held November 5th in Wake Forest, with police escort, a luncheon, high school band, red carpet, and Chic-fil-A for all! That night, Ben and 20 friends were taken by limo to a "Casting Crowns" concert in Raleigh, all with backstage passes to meet the band, and 6 with front row seats...

This is a video that the sponsor of the "Ben McNeal Day" made to be played at the special luncheon. Dad Don speaks first about the effects of ALS, and death of his first wife, and oldest son; then Ben shares.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szgy--GMuF4

Attorney - In - Fact

For some years, I worked in a business situation where it was necessary for me to take action in the absence of and on behalf of the owner. A legal paper was executed, signed, and recorded at the local courthouse. It gave me "power of attorney" over the legal, financial, and business transactions of the owner. The legal terminology is that I was his "Attorney In Fact"... and I had a stamp that proved it! Often I had to use the stamp, or provide a certified copy of the "power of attorney" paper when signing legal or financial documents.

The wording of the document was quite interesting. Obviously, there has to be a great deal of trust involved, for such a document to be executed. But the permission to do business in the name of the owner was broad, general, and extended to every property and possession the business owned, in addition to financial assets. There was a phrase that really caught my attention, and was the most meaningful to me during the years I carried a miniature of the document in my wallet.

"To conduct business, and take necessary action on my behalf, as if I were personally present". In truth, I could have sold the man's house!!! In trust, I would only do the things directed, OR when unable to secure specific direction, do the things I believed he would want done. This was to insure that the business operations were to continue to function, grow, and expand, along the lines of our sometimes unwritten business plan. Often the owner would be gone for weeks at a time, sometimes outside the USA, and was even stranded overseas during the 9/11/2001 tragedy.

It seems to me as a Christian, that when Jesus gave His final farewell to His disciples, in Matthew 28, and in Acts 1, He was authorizing them, and us, to be His "Attorney In Fact". We are to do what He would do, if He were personally present! That's a challenging thought, and I think I probably was far more faithful in the business charge I had, than I have been in spiritual responsibilites!!

Wasn't Jesus saying to us: "You go and do, in My Name, as if I were personally present, until I get back"?

"Do Hard Things"

Recently I was directed to a website that has the blogs, booklists, and speaking schedule of 19 year old twin brothers Alex and Brett Harris. Their older brother is Joshua Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye, Boy Meets Girl). They are in college, but have traveled world-wide speaking to missions conferences.

They wrote a book together titled "Do Hard Things". It is a challenge to young men and women to find a place of service and ministry in the world, wherever one may be. Part of it's premise is that our modern society in the USA does not really have a place for young people to make significant contributions until they have finished college.

It is amazing what Alex and Brett have on their site, from the books they've read, those they plan to read, the movies they've seen, and their commitment to the Lord and walking worthy of Him. You can find excerpts from the book posted, as well as some videos about going off to college and other issues. These men have what Dr. Howard Hendricks refers to as "the real disease" when it comes to passion for the Lord's work!

I am thoroughly impressed by what I've seen and experienced here. They are where I want to be as a Christian, and where I pray many young Christians want to be, as well!! These are some guys we could use as spiritual heroes and models... and again, they are nineteen, and college Freshmen!

http://www.therebelution.com/

A Spiritual Bucket List

Reading through the New Testament, we eventually come to Hebrews 12. Having just written what is known as the "Hall of Fame of Faith", the writer turns his attention to his audience, which now includes you and me, challenging us to live a life worthy of the Lord's call on our life.

He indicates that there may be some difficulty, pain, and weariness ahead...but the challenge is always to move forward. We've not suffered like some of those folks he talked about in Hebrews 11, he reminds us.

A common expression in sports that was heard during the 2008 Olympics, is "leave everything on the field". Loosely interpreted, that means, "don't come back into the locker room without having given your best, and all of it, in the game". Our writer reminds us that Jesus deserves our best effort, even more than any sporting event (including Professional Flag Football - where the coaches ARE really serious!)

Perhaps you've heard of a "bucket list"... the things you want to do before you "kick the bucket" (country term for 'die'). Hebrews 12 challenges us to have a worthwhile, Christ-centered "bucket list". Note this interesting story that occured during the Olympics....

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,410541,00.html

...we might not have as much time as we'd hoped, huh?

Hitting The Road

In studying the book of Hebrews (chapter 5 & 6) in the ThreadsMedia study of Life: Where Are You Going?, we come to some challenging material. The author of this letter to Jewish Christians early in the first century is talking pretty straight to them. He feels that they should be more mature in Christ than they are.

It's as if he is saying: "If you're not saved, that's got to come 1st. If you are saved, you need to stop living the sinful, sin-filled way you are, and there ought to be more fruit visible in your life".
People have used some verses in chapter 6 to say we can lose our salvation. But if we consult I Corinthians 3:11-15, we see a statement by our friend Paul that shows it is possible for us to be saved, but to live so worldly that there's nothing of our earthly work worthy of the Kingdom. I've more than once carried useless building materials to a smoking scrap pile for burning, and that's not where I want to be standing when spiritual rewards are passed out someday!

Hebrews says it's basically time for us to "hit the road", and quit fooling our life away! See this GodTube video about a man who determined to do just that. A double amputee, Scott Rigsby lived for years in a life of addiction to meds, until he got (and responded to!) a call to "hit the road" for the Lord.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3a44ada9659d13ab2f1a

USS New York - "Never Forget"

The following information has been verified by http://www.snopes.com/ (a great way to test some of the stories you get before you forward them!) Two men commented that since the ship was made from World Trade Center steel, it was a moving, spiritual, and motivating experience for those involved.

The ship is the first to be fully designed from the CAD-screen up to support all three of the Marines' primary mobility capabilities - Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), Landing Craft, Landing Craft Air Cushioned vehicle and the MV-22 Osprey. This basically means that the USS New York can approach a target from offshore, hide just beyond the horizon, put its fighting Marines on the transport craft, and the smaller craft roar to shore with a battallion fully armed & ready to engage in battle....

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center. It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.' The ship's motto? 'Never Forget'.

The sacrifice and death of over 3,000 people gave the energy and motivation to create this very active response to their unplanned sacrifice on 9/11/2001...

I wonder, as we look at Jesus' sacrifice for us, will you or I be as touched as these steelworkers?
Will you and I make a response, redirecting the energy of our lives, because He gave His life for us? I do wonder....