David's Mighty Men Series

iii. These few names in the Bible remind us of the many rows of white crosses along the wind-swept hills of Normandy.

1. It reminds me of the cemeteries at Gettysburg, Bunker Hill, Pearl Harbor and other famous places of battle.

a. Swindoll reminds us all, “We’re free today because, in June 1944, during the three month battle of Normandy, nearly fifty-three thousand “nobodies” paid the ultimate price to defeat Nazi tyranny…Visitors to the patch of land near Colleville-sur Mer, France, frequently weep quietly because there the real heroes of the war are silently honored” (Page 8, 9).

iv. King David in out texts today is paying tribute and honor to his soldiers. He is doing a Memorial Day tribute to the unknown ones who need to be known by all of Israel.

1. In these passages - he is saying they are, “Nobodies who are the some bodies who deserve all the credit for our great nation.”

2. I say that today we too need to pay tribute to the Veterans: Because these men/women made this nation possible and these men’s and women’s sacrifices made this nation free!

a. We too need to remember them and honor their names and their memories.

b. They are the people of significance that need to be honored so that we do not forget that freedom is not free. It costs!

T.S. – King David honored his faithful band of brothers and we too need to do the same today for our nation’s veterans.

V. The reality is the no-names – the soldiers of history for America have made a lasting impact on this country and in all of our lives.

a. Their sacrifice and dedication have bestowed upon us the freedoms we have today.

i. We cannot take these freedoms for granted or we cease to value the lives that have been given for our personal freedoms today.

ii. We need to honor this country and God for the blessings given to us and show her and its Veterans proper respect.

b. I want to personally remember a no-name person who is a somebody to me today: Veterans Day is tomorrow, and I want to honor the veterans.

i. His name is Lawrence Joseph McCartney he is my Grandfather better known as “Bro” – he died a few years back but not before making a decision to surrender his heart to Jesus. Here is what he did for our country, for me, for my kids and for my grandkids today:

1. He served in the Navy for 5 years during World War 2 – he was in the battle of Midway on the USS Duffy Destroyer. He was stationed in Guam during World War 2. He was instrumental in capturing 6 Japanese sailors who provided the War effort with necessary intelligence.

2. He also served in the Air Force for 23 years:

a. My Grandfather did three terms in Vietnam with the Air Force.

b. His first term was with Bombers, his second term put him in charge of the service of a group of F-16 fighters in Vietnam.

c. My Grandfather was decorated by the Air Force for figuring out a major problem with one of their jet engines which had caused many casualties.

d. My Grandfather was the chief mechanic on Gary Powers U2 Spy plane which was shot down over Russia.

e. He retired out of the Air Force after serving the Navy and Air Force for 28 years.