Memorial Day

The Scriptures tell us in Hebrews 13:7:

Remember your leaders who taught you the Word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives and follow the example of their faith.

On Memorial Day we're invited to remember those who have died in the service of their country. This Memorial Day I have been remembering Explosive Ordinance Disposal Petty Officer First Class (EOD1) Kevin Bewley, who died on November 5, 2007, in Iraq. EOD1 Bewley was part of a team that was sent to clear Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that had been planted along the roads. They were operating out of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Summerall in Bayji, Iraq. On that day, I was visiting with members of his unit at Camp Slayer in Baghdad, Iraq. 

I was sent to help EOD1 Bewley's team deal with the trauma of the attack. In order to get to FOB Summerall, I was flown to Combat Operating Base (COB) Speicher. Then I traveled in a convoy of EOD vehicles on South Hershey Highway, the most dangerous highway in Iraq, as they were looking for more IEDs. 

During our trip, the EOD sailors were playing "Highway To Hell" by AC/DC in our vehicle . One of them in the back of the vehicle said to me, "Hey, Chaplain. Bewley was always talking to me about that Jesus Christ Lord and Savior stuff. What's that all about?" So, I explained to him what it means to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. We prayed together and he asked Jesus to come and live in his heart. Then the driver of the vehicle said, "When we get back to base, I'm going to disciple you. I go to a Calvary Chapel back home, and I'll help you to grow in your faith." By the grace of God, all of this happened in spite of the music we were listening to.

EOD1 Bewley was a faithful leader who taught the Word of God to his shipmates. Because of his example of faith in a combat zone, another sailor was able to experience the salvation and love of God. I'm looking forward to spending eternity with both of them in Heaven.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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