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National Chaplain
Gwendolyn Gilliard, PNP
National Chaplain's Corner
Here we are well into the New Year of 2023, all praise and honor to the One and only deserving God! We certainly have had faced and continue to face challenges, concerns, decisions, changes and even some burdens both expected and unexpected, but we have also been, resilient because of our hope and faith in the One Who has brought us through it all and kept His promise to not ever leave us not forsake us as we trust in His power for strength to move forward, whereas nothing is too difficult for Him! This month, like every day, presents extra opportunities to reflect on the greatness of our Creator. As we observe Groundhog Day (2nd), and celebrate Valentine’s Day (14th),
Presidents’ Day (20th), Ash Wednesday (22nd), Black History Month, I encourage doing it with the hearts of the utmost degree of gratitude and reverence. Let’s reflect on their legacy and celebrate:
Abraham Lincoln, our sixteenth President, who strongly contributed to the Union during the American Civil War. He issued “the Emancipation Proclamation, officially Proclamation 95, which was also known as a presidential proclamation and executive order issued by the United States President…”
freeing all slaves. Birthdate on 12th.
George Washington, our first President, American General and Commander in Chief of this great nation, during the American Revolution. Certainly a strong military leader to be imitated, he is the creator (1782) of the Badge of Military Merit known today as the Purple Heart, America’s oldest
military honor, which is awarded to those United States Armed forces service members who are wounded or killed in defense of our nation while serving. Birthdate on 22nd (some say the 11th). Looking at where we’ve come from as a nation, as people, and to where we are as the distinguished organization that
we are today in celebrating our precious lives, memories, legacies, et cetera I decided to share a couple of other significant lives/events well noteworthy to mention:
First, how many couples do you know or heard of that have had an Earthly love story (aka relationship) of 73 years (met in 1949), married for 70 3/4 years (Apr 1952)? Most of you may know exactly who I am speaking of, yes? Our friends, Mr. & Mrs. Leroy & Darline Schuff. As you know, Dar’s wonderful husband/Patriot Lee transitioned to Heaven in December. Prior to that she wrote and submitted
an article to Our Wisconsin magazine (which was so amazing to read) a 73 years’ history of their lives together including the letters she kept from the time he was in boot camp. This, in my opinion, is one of those real life love stories blessed by the Lord that should be made into a Hallmark or Lifetime Movie which would encourage other married couples of their lifetime covenant. Dar shared that she still wears the necklace Lee gave to her for their anniversary with the engraving on the back: “Dar, I loved you then, I love you still. I always have And I always will. Lee” “Enduring love”-that’s eternally. As we know, Valentine’s Day, observed the 14th of February, is not a holiday but observed throughout America as (supposedly) the most loving and affectionate day of the year. Furthermore, members practice 1John 4:7,8 when we giving a helping hand in service, a kind word, give a card, a smile, even a pair of socks or undershirt, celebrate a birthday, just showing care and the like to our Veterans, neighbors or/and to each other pretty much every day anyway. Also, think of another time in life as the most significant love –the Eternal Love Day, the Eternal Life of Love, the Greatest Love that God has for made available to each one of us as found in John 3:16, 17. Unconditional love it is. I encourage you to believe it and receive it, it’s free.
Ash Wednesday is a Christian observance representing Lenten season celebrated after Mardi Gras seven weeks before Easter with six weeks of penance and fasting.
Lastly, I chose to reflect on Black History Month briefly of my story within our organization for a dual
purpose. I choose to let the pictures tell the story of which I don’t think has been published before and as I pay tribute to Past National Commander Jim Sims whom I served with from the Order 2009-2010. Having said that, I am so grateful for that time and those moments spent with Black History in the
making for Former President and Mrs. Barack Obama, Former Vice President Joe Biden was with PNC Sims and his bride (Ginny) present amongst many other veteran organizations and dignitaries present for breakfast at the White House on Veterans Day 2009. It was quite a humbling and exciting experience as
well as one of the most significant honors of my life. To PNC Sims, I salute, Semper Fi and pray he ‘Rest in Peace’ - Amen.
Please join in prayer:
Father God,
In reverence and humility to You, we
come before Your throne of grace and mercy with praise, honor and glory to You,
our amazing, magnificent one and only deserving God to be
worshipped. Thank You Lord for being our source, our refuge, our strength during
these days of many changes, challenges, confusion, anxieties, environmental
devastations, disrespect of life, greed, catastrophes on top of catastrophes
and all those things that Your Holy Word tells us about that we shall prepare
for through our fixing our eyes and ears upon You, trusting You and leaning not
to our own understanding but through our Savior. Have mercy upon us
Lord. We lift up unto You Lord the thousands who have been effected by the
recent earthquake in Turkey and others within and beyond our borders who have
the many needs and concerns to be met regardless to race, creed, color, or
culture during these humanitarian crisis. Protect those who are providing
assistance-keep them safe. Bless those who are mourning and we ask You to
strengthen them (us) and be their (our) rock them as they (we) continue to move
forward in this year of 2023. Thank You for Your power, Your sweet amazing
grace and mercy that endures forever. In Jesus Name.
“Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed
and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 (KJV)
“Beloved, let us love one another;
for love is from God everyone who loves has been born of God and knows
God.” 1John 4:7, 8
In His Love, Peace, Patriotism and
Prayer,
Gwendolyn
Numbers 6:24-26
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