Wow, May was such an amazing month, from Kansas to Illinois, to Washington DC to Missouri it was a fast time in the saddle and the Lord never ceases to amaze me.  Hold on to your seats and welcome aboard, we'll be flying at a heavenly altitude, cruising at something just shy of warp speed and encountering only slight turbulence. 

The month of May actually just took the relay from the month of April and kept right on going.  The WME conference just finished in Kansas City and the next morning it was off to Greensburg Kansas.  It was the one year anniversary of the deadly EF-5 tornado that destroyed 95% of the town. 

Events were planned through out the weekend and were to culminate with the high school graduation and President Bush giving the commencement speech.  After meeting with several people we had come to know over the last year we attended a community wide service in which I addressed the crowd of around 1,000  people.  It is absolutely humbling to do so at these events.  You realize the amount of trust that is shown as well as a love and bonding of people that suffered horrific tragedies and yet banded together to overcome the obstacles and step
out on the other side victorious.

This community exhibits a strong faith in God and as a result, a strong faith in that they will succeed in rebuilding their town in a better way that will be an example for everyone to see.  Already the building technology is some of the most advanced in construction techniques, insulation, safety, energy efficiency, and design that you will see anywhere.  So many companies are investing and volunteering some of the best advancements in the market place today. 

Our 9-11 project this year will be  in Greensburg and I will be coordinating our community wide memorial service that will remember those who died in the tragic events of September 11, 2001 as well as those who lost their life in the Greensburg tornado.  First Responder departments from around the area will join us.  Let me also mention here that WME sponsored our DVD “He's The Closest Thing To A Hero” as a tribute and appreciation to the entire Greensburg Fire Department.  These were presented at the community service.  Thanks and appreciation go out to the leadership of WME for their generosity and compassion. 

Another very memorable event took place Sunday,  May 4^th, which was the one year anniversary.  President Bush was invited to give the graduation commencement speech.  There was also strong rumor of an uninvited guest that has a church in Topeka that travels the country disrupting military funerals was to come to disrupt the Presidents arrival. 

There were those in town that said there was nothing to worry about, they had a few friends that would take care of problems and things would go just perfectly without a hitch.  I had no idea of what that could mean but I have to admit I was more than a little curious as to who these “friends” were and what would transpire. 

As the time drew near and residents began to line the streets in this village of about 1700 there was a rumble in the distance that seemed to grow louder and getting closer.  I had a hard time believing my eyes when the Patriot Guard, Kansas VFW riders and members from the Christian Motorcycle Association rolled into town on shiny motorcycles, each with a fresh American flag flying.  They systematically lined the main highway and streets designated for the parade route, dismounted and posted their “colors” every ten feet.  The only discussion was, did we have 1500 or 2000 bikers show up.  Talk about proud, you could see it on every face gathered there, from the five year old to the 80 year old grandfather holding his hand.   Needles to say there was no disruption for the President.

From Kansas the next stop was Washington DC for National Law Enforcement Week.  I had the distinct honor of being asked to speak at the first inaugural non denominational memorial service held at the National City Christian Church organized by Chaplain Greg Boyle.  This special week is to remember the officers and their families who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.  In 2007, 181 officers died in the line of duty.  Another 177 names were added to the memorial wall of officers that have died in the line of duty in years past that had not been recognized for what ever reason.  Forgotten no longer. 

There are many events trough the week of 11-17 and I only wish I had an entire issue for this topic alone.  However, here are the highlights.  Hundreds of motorcycles rolled into our nations capitol on Sunday the 11^th to begin the week.  On Monday, 1200 bicycles organized by the Police Unity Tour made their was in as well.  Tuesday morning was the memorial  spoken of earlier, and Tuesday evening, myself and other Chaplains and uniformed personnel escorted survivor families to their seats as 20,000 people attended the candle light vigil in which Attorney General Michael Mukasey gave the memorial address. 

The rest of the week is filled with meetings and addresses on the Capitol steps and offices.  Another guest I had the privilege to meet was Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters who rode and addressed the crowd during the Law Ride motorcycle rally.

My last, but certainly not least stop this month, was in Jefferson City Missouri to do an in- service training day for the Missouri Highway Patrol Chaplains and several command officers.  Topics were Chaplains and the faith based role in large scale disasters, Chaplains and the faith based role in small scale and small community disasters, and Standards, Ethics and Conduct of the clergy for today. 

Forty Chaplains and 10 command officers attended the event and afterward we met with the new cadet class prior to their graduation from the academy.  The second day was a great tour of the different departments withing the state government, the capitol and the gaming division.  I received fine hospitality and professionalism the entire time and am grateful for the friendships that I'm sure will last through the years. 

One last comment.  Let me encourage you if you haven't made contact with us in regard to our DVD to please do so.  We are getting rave reviews about this and it is a very moving tribute to firefighters, EMS personnel and first responders. 

Ninety percent of all fire departments in the country are volunteer and average only about 30-35 members.  That means to sponsor a department would only be $600-$700.  I realize some may be less, and bigger cities will be more.  If you are in a larger city, consider having several other churches or businesses go in on it with you.  This is such a fantastic opportunity to show your appreciation and can be a great way to introduce yourself, your church or your business to your local heroes. 

Let me share a story of one special lady.  I met Trisha Wolfgang's mom  Kim, last year at the law enforcement week.  That in itself is an incredible God story I'll save for another time.  Kim is class act in her own right, but listen to what Trisha is doing. 

Trisha is taking her fire science courses at a local Junior College in north central California in preparation to become a firefighter.  She will begin her EMT class this fall as well.  When Kim heard what we were doing with the DVD she was incredibly supportive and told Trisha.  They talked about it and ordered 50 to sell and give out to other firefighters in their area.  She received them just before Memorial Day weekend, by Monday my phone rang and it was Kim needing another 50. 

Trisha has decided to use this whole experience as a project for her studies and is going up and down the California coast telling the story of USECC and how this DVD came to pass, and how it is a tribute to firefighters and first responders.  Trisha is only 19.  She has already asked to come on our 9-11 outreach in Kansas, and I look forward to having her. 

If you are a little hesitant about how to do this for your local departments give me a call and I can assist in the process.  If you don't have a local department or want to be a super special blessing such as what WME was, and sponsor a department, call us.  With all the bad weather that's been going on I have several department I'd like to salute for their heroic actions.  There are some that have even tragically lost members due to the storms.  We would love to send these DVD's in your name.  Please, act now. 

It's truly exciting what God is doing, I'm sure we haven't seen it all yet.  Until next time I'll be ................

Responding to the call...........Blessings.........Chaplain Steve