THE UNTOLD STORY

It was early in the morning on the 4th of July when I found myself making a few dozen strawberry and blueberry cupcakes. Now, most of you would think “ Of course she’s making cupcakes on the 4th of July!” But this was NOT planned. And, as those who know me, it was God who put it on my heart to bake these cupcakes for veterans and to write their story. Really? And where exactly am I going? Still not sure of what I was doing, I finished the cupcakes, got patriotically dressed, pushed the button for the stars to blink on my red, white, and blue headband, and got in the car. And then God showed me where to go. Less than a mile away was the American Legion building. With cupcakes in hand, stars blinking, they welcomed me in and led me to the dessert table. They could not have been any nicer, as if I was a part of all of them. I told the volunteer in this picture I was on an assignment from God to write their story…someones story. Without even blinking as if there is a very strange woman here, she led me to the commander. I shared my reason for being there and he led me to the American Legion historian. And then he led me to Bob, an 83 year old Purple Heart recipient . Finally, I was going to get the story that God wanted me to write. For those in the military or have been, you know what happened. Bob, as graciously as he could, told me that he doesn’t talk about what happened to him in the war. Those are kept in a mental vault never to be opened again. I was so humbled. It was at that moment I realized why everyone kept passing me over to someone else. No one was going to share their story. Quietly, I sat there wondering why God brought me there. And then a younger couple sat down ( when I say “younger” I mean my age!). The veteran had been a helicopter pilot in special ops. He couldn’t share his missions but instead shared how he got through them all….God. A lot of the vets experienced PTSD at different levels, but he said he was one of the “blessed” ones. He relied on God for every mission, every fear, every sense of loneliness for his family, every loss of life, and finally, every sense of not belonging when he got back to civilization. That was why these veterans were here at the American Legion on the 4th of July. It was a “ club “ that not everyone could belong to but a place where they could just “ Be” and that did not include sharing their war stories. God’s purpose for me was to write the “ untold story “ where HE was there for each and every one of them…just like HE is for you. Some of us have stories that cannot be shared but God knows them. You belong to Him and HE loves you. But, just like the American Legion , we all need a community where we can just “Be”, whether it’s AA, domestic abuse, grief support, depression, PTSD, or any other issues. The untold story is about God and that He was there, is there, and will be there, for those veterans and for you. Rely on Him, on “your” community, and you will find that going forward brings HOPE. Thank you to all the veterans who let me write your “ untold story”…..