A Veteran's Day Remembrance

November Eleventh is the day we get to remember our veterans this year, and this day is a particularly solemn one for our family. We remember Justin Paton, who was my son Ben's best friend in the Army. They met at Ft. Hood, TX. where they were roommates just after Basic Training. They deployed to Iraq together, and always went out on patrols together. Justin was killed while protecting Ben from sniper fire in Tarmiyah, Iraq.

I carved this plaque as a remembrance for Ben and his platoon to give to Justin's parents, Don & Shelley Paton. As I prayed about what to carve, I had a strong sense that I was to do the pond with the ducks at the bottom, although I did not understand their significance at first, or how they tied in with the eagle. As I was finishing painting (the final step before varnishing) I got the revelation that the eagle represented Justin himself. I felt the Lord explaining in my heart: "Some - like Justin - are called to soar high up above the tree tops - watching and carrying out the burden of protecting - while the ducks on the pond (representing most of us Americans) are safe to live out our lives." It is only because of these "called" ones that we "ducks" know freedom at all. As I explained this picture to Don and Shelley, it seemed to mean a lot to Shelley, who had not been able the look at pictures of Justin yet. "This, I can look at." she said. And added, "Still, I'd rather he was just a duck."

I want to say THANK YOU to ALL our men and women who have served in the United States Military. And a Special Thank you to James Timmons and Merritt Allinger and all the men of the 1st CAV's Bravo & Delta Companies, and the Michigan 129th Airwing, who all came to Ben's White Platoon's rescue during the ambush at Tarmiyah two days after Justin died. And Thank You to the Balad Air Base medical staff who took care of Ben and White Platoon as they recovered (all but one) from the VBIED blast that day. And I am thankful to the God who heals hearts and minds of men (and women!)... and mothers and fathers, ... and Nations.