"Beyond Tribute" and a salute to Lt. Col. Jay C. Hess
On this upcoming Memorial Day it will be easy to post a flag outside our homes and then just enjoy the BBQ. But there are very helpful things we can do, ranging from just a little effort to a lot.
The web page on "Citizen Support" by the Community Relations section of the U.S. Department of Defense lists a variety of strong suggestions, such as donations or volunteer work at homes for disabled vets, gift certificates, care packages, and many other possibilities.
One easy step to take would be to log onto the web pages of "Beyond Tribute," which is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of helping businesses turn a percentage of their Memorial Day profits towards wounded veteran's and their families. In a recent article entitled "Tribute is Not Enough," former General Wesley Clark endorsed the organization.
I urge readers to click the red "sign the pledge" on the "Beyond Tribute " page in order to urge businesses to begin participation.
A good web page for getting into the spirit of supporting our veterans is found at "Veteran Tributes".
In a previous post I paid tribute to Colonel Don C. Wood, a LDS member who was lost in Vietnam while fighting with a F-105 jet.
On this pre-Memorial day I wish to pay tribute to another LDS F-105 jet fighter pilot: Lt. Colonel Jay C. Hess. His F-105 was shot down over Vietnam in August 24, 1967, and he was held as a POW in captivity for over 5.5 years. He was released on March 14, 1973. (For further information, see the Church News article, "Lessons still linger for former Vietnam POW" about Brother Hess). Lt. Colonel Jay C. Hess was awarded three Silver Stars; the Legion of Merit; three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts (see: Veteran's Tributes page on "NAM-POW" medals).
To read what it was like to be an F-105 fighter jet pilot in Vietnam, read the following book: 100 Missions North: A Fighter Pilot's Story of the Vietnam War By Ken Bell, Potomac Books Inc., 2003. This book indicates that there was a 50% death rate of F-105 pilots in the early stages of the Vietnam war.
I love this story told by President Thomas S. Monson about Brother Hess:
Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 84–87.
In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, Church member Jay Hess, an airman, was shot down over North Vietnam. For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi eventually allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 25 words. What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation—not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having come from him and also wanting to give them valuable counsel, Brother Hess wrote—and I quote: “These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.”
What 25 words would you write to your loved ones that summarized your life philosophy?
Actually, the letter was more than 25 words. Here is more of the content:
"Lessons still linger for former Vietnam POW"
by Greg Hill, Church News
Jan. 10, 2009
After more than two years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi, Vietnam, Jay C. Hess was permitted to write a short letter home. Following is the content of that letter dated Dec. 13, 1969:
"Above all I seek for eternal life with all of you. These are important: Temple marriage, mission, college. Press on. I had a slight flesh wound and last summer some sickness. All is well now. Set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year."
Here is my less than 25 word philosophy to my family:
Faux's 24 Words: Be happy; work hard; exercise every day ; be educated and be thinkers; go to Church; gain strong testimonies; study scriptures; and love one another.
HAVE A HAPPY AND MEMORABLE MEMORIAL DAY!!
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3 comments:
I had a life-changing encounter with Bro. Hess more than 30 years ago -- or maybe it wasn't so much life-changing as it was opening my eyes to a recognition of my blessings and getting me started in the right direction from the beginning. I owe him a lot.
Thanks, S., for another timely and significant post.
Here's my 25 word message:
read scriptures daily, real prayer, church, help others, find and use talents, kindness, share the light often, repent every day, make and keep covenants, remember.
Ardis:
Thank you so much for linking your essay. I read it and it was just wonderful. But, I did have a hard time imagining you as a hypo-verbal 15-year old.
Michaela: Those are highly inspired words.
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