While I was there, and whinnying as usual about the heat down here in Florida, a man came up to a group of us seeking relief in the shade. He handed me his card as he invited all of us to the event honoring First Responders. His name is Edward Ganster. He's the founder of OperationSafety91, as in Psalm 91. (See below for this Psalm)
While we were talking he saw the Chaplain patch and the cross on my vest. Yes, I wear a leather vest when I travel with the Nam Knights. He asked me what I do and when I told him, his eyes glistened. At first I wounded why an important person would be spending so much time talking to me. I'm the type that likes to sit at the back of the room feeling comfortable in obscurity. Then he made me an offer that almost made me cry. He wanted to know if I needed any books. Right away I thought about the homeless veterans at the Dom in Winter Park at the Veteran's clinic.
Ed's wife Mary called me the next day and we sent emails back and forth. Great people and very caring. Yesterday I was invited to their home to pick up all the books I wanted for the Dom. While we were sharing stories, they were telling me more about this event. They want more than anything to say thank you to the men and women we count on the most when we are in need.
Then came the honor of honors. I was asked to participate in this event so I'm doing a video for it. I don't know if I'll come close enough to expressing what I feel and what I believe in such a short form since I can go on forever about them, but I'll do my best.
Later there will be a post about what came to me when we were talking yesterday but for now, let's stick with this event. Please read the following and if you fit into the category of the men and women to be honored, please make sure to contact OperationSafety91 for this tribute to you.
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]
2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2091
Operation Safety 91 was founded to honor America's 1st Responders. Every year in September, on the day after Labor Day, Operation Safety 91 and its partners, holds its annual capstone event in Orlando which this year will feature a 6,000 flag salute for our 1st Responders. Operation Safety 91 proudly presents:
The Second Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders
http://www.operationsafety91.com/events.php
Our Mission
Our mission is twofold. First, to instill across America an appreciation and commitment to honor our current and retired 1st Responders: Firefighters & EMS Personnel, Police & Law Enforcement, and Military. Secondly, our mission is to provide free-of-charge through Unit chaplains, a pocket-size Psalm 91 Prayer Card - which has countless proven testimonies - to the 1st Responders and their spouses who request them.
Our Vision
Our vision is "Honoring and Protecting America's Protectors."
All Responder CHAPLAINS... We salute you! You are the emotional and spiritual strength behind these courageous Responders. They depend on you as a "shoulder to cry on", a counselor "sometime to talk to", a prayer-support. Your presence is more important to them than they may ever say. You are a "father", a "brother" who are SO important to them in their work.
Who are you Chaplains to the American public? You are seldom recognized by people in the neighborhood except where the disaster occurs. How many people realize that many of you are full-time Pastors, who offer your dedication to these special heroes?
Operation Safety 91 is a Community Service Initiative in partnership with active chaplains across America, beginning with Senior Chaplain Andrew Wade of Orlando Police Department, and Chaplain Lonnie Crawford of Orlando Fire Department. Chaplain Joshua Sauers of Ocoee/Winter Garden Florida Fire Rescue, and Chaplain Lyle Schmeiser of Chapter 16 of Central Florida Disabled American Veterans have also partnered with Operation Safety 91.
Your role in "Operation Safety 91" as intermediaries for the distribution of our free Psalm 91 Prayer Card to the Responders and their spouses is crucial to the success of OS91. As a Responder, you clearly understand the risk the Responders face every day. We need you as partners. Current chaplain groups with whom we are proudly associated are the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), the Federation of Fire Chaplains (FFC), and the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International (FCFI).
Chaplain...are you interested in joining thousands of other chaplains across America in our special work to help our 1st Responders?
Contact Us, please, so we may respond to share our vision, and invite your partnership.
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