Memorial Dedication Eulogy
Hurlburt Field Air Park, 23 September 2000
Will Platt, Mike 03/Raven 27
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Freedom is a gift of love from heroic champions, to future generations.We do honor and salute the lives of our 219 Forward Air Controllers. We are all beneficiaries of their great devotion. They endure in our memory, as in stone, Patriots, Pilots, Faithful Friends, and Family. They are with us today, present and accounted for in each heart.
They know the depth of our love, and gratitude. Humbly they accept our recognition, thank you, and granite tribute. Their memorial encourages us to know the comfort, peace, and rest that the Holy Spirit provides.
Together we pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, "ONE NATION UNDER GOD."
Freely, and without reservation, an oath was given to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, to faithfully discharge solemn duty, "SO HELP ME GOD."
United we embrace a code of conduct that requires a higher calling:
"I AM AN AMERICAN FIGHTING MAN. I SERVE IN THE FORCES, WHICH GUARD MY COUNTRY AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ACTIONS, AND DEDICATED TO THE PRINCIPLES, WHICH MADE MY COUNTRY FREE. I AM PREPARED TO GIVE MY LIFE IN THEIR DEFENSE. I WILL TRUST IN MY GOD AND IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
Like so many valiant, American soldiers before them, our Forward Air Controllers answered that call and selflessly gave their full measure of love, and devotion, to God, Family, and Country. We do remember their faithful service. Their legacy is everlasting love, their glory is with God.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
Hear. Have faith. Believe God. "He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus" (2 Corinthians 4:14)
This is His promise; Death is swallowed up in victory, and mortality is swallowed up of life eternal.
Let us humble our hearts in prayer.
Father in heaven, we love you, and praise your holy name. We commend to you our missing loved ones. We trust they are not lost, their sacrifice not in vain. Help thou our unbelief. Guide and strengthen our nation in your ways. Make her pleasing in your sight, and firmly rooted in your strong foundation. Indwell her elected and appointed officers with the spirit of truth and wisdom. Bless our republic by your loving favor and reproof. We pray your security over our service men and women who stand ready and guard freedom’s children. Grant us grace, and peace, and victory in the hazardous trials ahead. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Will Platt
Mike 03/Raven 27
1969 - 1970
FAC EULOGY SCRIPTURESAmos 5:8 [Seek him] that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, The LORD [is] his name:
Psalms 18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
Nahum 1:3 The LORD [is] slow to anger, and great in power, the clouds [are] the dust of his feet.
Exodus 19:4 I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
Revelation 2:17 To him that overcometh will I give a white stone, and in the stone a new name written,
Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Psalms 104:32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
2 Corinthians 1:4 we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
A SERVANT SOLDIERS CALL
Isaiah 6:8 who will go for us? Then said I, Here [am] I; send me.
1 Chronicles 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people,
Judges 6:12 The LORD [is] with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
Ephesians 6:10 be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Romans 8:31 If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?
Psalms 18:39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle:
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Psalms 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident.
John 3:16 God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
ETERNAL LIFE
Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death:
1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 5:15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came,
1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces;
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
