People worth remembering

The childhood years of Seth Ricketts was filled with G.I. Joes and Army men. He wanted to be a soldier as a little bitty guy and purposely never grew out of it. When he was only nine, Seth looked through the Yellow Pages to find a recruiter and made a phone call all by his big self.

“He wanted to be in the military since he was nine years old and had been talking to a recruiter,” said his father, Bill Ricketts.

Seth grew up and then in 2001, all of America scrambled to find a TV set. We watched in horror as thousands of our country men were forced to jump to their deaths and even more climbed the narrow stair way to theirs. Muslim terrorists attacked the United States on 9-11 and Seth joined the Army on september 12th. Destiny called and true to form, Seth stepped up and stepped in. It was no surprise to Bill.

“He said he was going to protect his country and to keep that kind of stuff from happening to his family. He would rather take the fight to their soil.” Bill proudly stated about his son.

But then there was Rosie. The love of his life was also proud of her soldier man and for the next nine years she would faithfully stand by him and for him as he completed three tours of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. They had two kids together, 3-year-old Aiden and 10-month-old Cullen. Rosie is pregnant now with their third child, due this summer and his fifth tour of duty almost complete. So Seth agreed it was finally time to come home. He had been there for the births of his first two children, but deployed soon afterward. This time, he was looking forward to being home during the first part of his child’s life.

So last week, there was the usual presentation of medals and accolades you would expect for such a warrior. They include the Army Commendation Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

His platoon leader gave testimony to his values, dedication, and love like no other for his family and country. The home town newspaper ran a front page story on Seth and even his old school teachers chimed in on how proud they all are of him. But the newspaper headlines didn't say Seth had come home, -it said he would not. He was killed Saturday in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan while fighting with the 82nd airborne.

“He was an exemplary soldier and the men that were under him praised his work and his leadership,” the soldier’s father said. “He put his men before his own life. That’s just who he was.”

For as long as there has been anything worth keeping, protecting and achieving there have been wars. And as long as there have been wars there have been wives and parents and children who have received medals instead of the person they were hoping would come home.

Memorial Day

This weeks sip from the Master’s cup comes brewed with a grateful tear. I am so appreciative of the selflessness and commitment of our Armed forces. I am also heart broken for the parents and the families of those who are truly grieving over the death of a warrior who fell in battle.

I think we Christians, should make a prayerful proclamation on behalf of every family hurting over this issue. I also think we should be ready to extend a hand or a give a hug to those who need it. If you are hurting over the death of a soldier, please know that I said a prayer for you today. On behalf of all readers and on behalf of the Troy Brewer family and my friends at Open Door, Thank you, we love you. May you know the peace that passes understanding and the greatest Peace maker of all, Jesus.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Troy pastors Open Door Ministries near Joshua and can be reached at www.opendoorministries.org