Today, our church had the honor of welcoming a true hero to our Veterans' Day service.

In March 2003, the US Army's elite 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment was deployed to Iraq.  Its mission was to secure the Haditha Dam on the Euphrates river, making it possible for the Army's 3rd Infantry Division to continue its advance into Baghdad.  Sgt. Jeremy Feldbusch of Blairsville, PA was serving as a mortarman with that outfit when he was injured by a piece of shrapnel and lost his eyesight during an intense artillery barrage.

In the true fighting spirit of the Army Rangers, Sgt. Feldbusch hasn't let his injuries stop him from helping people.  He continues to fight for his fellow veterans as a prominent spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project, a cause that is near and dear to our church family.

God's Word tells us, in John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends."  We are blessed to live in a nation which produces people of character like Sgt. Feldbusch, who voluntarily sacrifice so much for people they don't even know.  When asked how he felt about his military service, Sgt. Feldbusch says he has no regrets.  In fact, he once remarked that if he still had one good eye left, he'd be banging on the Army's door, asking them to let him back in.

Friends, if you personally know a veteran, please be sure to thank them for their service, particularly if they have been injured in combat.  Sometimes, the greatest casualty is to be forgotten and we must never allow that to happen to our nation's heroes.

Respectfully,
Scott L. Perry
North Huntingdon, PA