{"id":9980,"date":"2021-09-15T15:48:22","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T19:48:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovcf.org\/ovcf_wp\/?p=9980"},"modified":"2021-09-15T15:48:22","modified_gmt":"2021-09-15T19:48:22","slug":"midweek-message-7-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovcf.org\/ovcf_wp\/2021\/09\/midweek-message-7-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Midweek Message 09\/15\/2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

MIDWEEK MESSAGE #75<\/b><\/p>\n

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Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #75!\u00a0 It\u2019s always good to meet with you on a weekly basis. I hope your week is going well. We sure have had some beautiful September weather haven\u2019t we?\u00a0 Sort of makes me sad though. That means Fall is almost here and winter is around the corner.\u00a0 I know. What a downer. So let\u2019s move on to some good stuff!! \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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First, I want to thank all of you who were able to come to the 9\/11 memorial for Brett Wood and to honor the men and women who lost their lives on that fateful day. I have not heard an official count (probably never will) but I was so thrilled to look out and see so many people. In spite of the current political climate, that all seemed to be forgotten for at least one hour as we paid tribute to heroes and to one of our own.\u00a0 The high school choir did an absolutely fantastic job with their song (Mr. Latta does a great job with them doesn\u2019t he?). Perhaps it was \u201crequired\u201d for them to be there, but it was so good to see their response to an act of terrorism and heroism which took place before they were even born. The two soloists did a wonderful job. The buglers did a moving Taps rendition. The speakers did a great job, especially Colonel Allen. The display of close to 3000 flags was just mind-boggling. (Did you hear Sharon Barger\u2019s grandson, Nolan, who is attending American University in D.C, texted her to tell her that his university was inspired by Spencer\u2019s display and were going to do the same?)\u00a0 I had the honor of sitting next to Brett\u2019s brother, Nikk, and when he put the yellow ribbon around the tree was asked to hold the flag which had been presented to him. I was most definitely humbled with that task. About the only thing I can\u2019t comment on was the food provided by the Sheriff\u2019s department. A previous commitment took me away too soon to eat. But I\u2019m guessing it was good. \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n

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It was an emotional day for me. I wish I could put my finger on it. I got choked up as I tried to say the pledge and as the choir sang \u201cGod Bless America.\u201d They asked us to sing along with them and I was unable to.\u00a0 I think I have possibly figured out why.\u00a0 I never served in the military. When I was in college and turned 18 the Vietnam War was raging. I was a freshman in Bible college and went to another city in Kentucky to register for the draft. (It was required). Because I was a ministerial student, I didn\u2019t have to go into the military. (My draft number was also high). Every once in a while I wonder where I would be and what I would be like if I had experienced what so many of our vets experienced. Would I have come home scarred? Would I have come home to a \u201cless than stellar welcome as many of them did?\u201d I will never know. Maybe that is why I am so emotional when I have the chance to honor those who served.\u00a0 Now you know some of my thoughts. Let me finish by saying I am extremely grateful to live in America, the greatest country to live in, even with all its flaws and foibles.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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I told you in the last MM that the elders would be meeting Monday, the 13<\/span>th<\/span>, and I would share some news concerning OVCF\u2019s upcoming Anniversary. It is being called \u201c17 on the 17<\/span>th<\/span>.\u201d There will be more info coming your way but here is some of what we discussed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n