ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL
by Rev. Don Rivers

No, Freedom Isn’t Free
Author Unknown

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He’d stand out in a crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers’ tears?
How many pilots’ planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many died in foxholes?
No, freedom isn’t free
I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps meant “Amen,”
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of the fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn’t free.

   Freedom Isn’t Free is a poem written to recall the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the giving of their lives. Their willingness to give secures to this day our freedom; freedom to do what we enjoy, racing.

   I was thinking the other day what would this country look like if we weren’t free? Would there even be racing, as we know it? On any given weekend I can choose where I go to watch a race. You can choose where to race. If you don’t like going to a certain track you can choose another. We have the freedom of choice. That is not something to take lightly.

   Stop and think of all the choices we can make in our life and then think of some of the other nations in the world who don’t have the same option. The difference is freedom. The founders of our country decided to organize it on the foundation of God and freedom of choice. We have fought for over 200 years to maintain that, not only for us but also for other nations and peoples of the world.

   God also gives us the freedom to choose. He makes available for us a life of abundance and freedom. We can choose if we are going to accept that life. Jesus said…

 John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

   Paul adds in Galatians…

 Galatians 5:1, It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

   Jesus came and gave His life as a sacrifice so that we could know the abundant and free life that God has offered us. Not unlike those who have fought for our country’s freedom so that we can enjoy an abundant and free life. For us to experience freedom it cost someone something.

   Think of a race team. Some are funded well and some are run on a shoestring. It doesn’t matter; to be able to race someone pays. Someone’s hard work earns the money necessary to cover the cost of preparing the car and team to race. We have to opportunity to race because someone else paid the price. The situation is the same whether it is our hard work or someone else’s hard work, to race someone pays. Freedom isn’t free either.

   For us to have freedom as a country many men and women paid with their very own lives. They made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others. They gave their lives. Likewise Jesus gave His life so that we might have life.

 John 3:16-17, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

   Those lives that were given for us secured our freedom. Jesus Christ gave His life to save us from death and destruction. Let me ask a question, do you enjoy your freedom as an American? If you do, take the time to pay your respect to those who have made it possible. We shouldn’t look past the sacrifice made for our sake.

   Let me ask another, do you want to the abundant and free life that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior? Do you want the freedom from condemnation? Jesus gave His life to give you that opportunity, accept it and free yourself from the burden of sin.

   Freedom isn’t free. It cost someone, something. Be thankful there are those who are willing to pay the price for our freedom. Honor those who gave everything for us.
 

   THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

     SOMETHING IN THE AIR - It seem to always happen this time of year, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, no wait, I mean screaming, running mouth, swollen eyes. The beginning of the race season has shown itself, new rides, new faces, new cars, all trying to jockey for position. Drivers and teams trying to sort things out, find there place in the pecking order. Sometimes the result can be ugly. Sometimes it reflects poorly on our sport.

   They say politics makes strange bedfellows but racing isn’t very far behind. In the quest to win we see teams come together that we wouldn’t have thought would. We see drivers act and drive in a way that is out of character. We see a lot of strange things.

   Have no fear this will settle down into another fine racing season. As the weeks pass and things get going, cooler heads will prevail. Let’s hope there is a car or two left to put on a good show.

   IOWA GOES TO CHASE - Another driver has stepped out of his father’s shadow and put his name on the victory list. Chase Elliot won the K&N East West Showdown at Iowa Speedway over the weekend and I am sure Bill couldn’t be more proud.

   Having been able to build a good relationship with Chase and Bill it is always rewarding to see them succeed. I remember walking through the Hall of Fame and there was a father and his son, reliving the glory days of the sport, just enjoying their time together, stopping for the occasional autograph and photo. It made me proud to be a part of a sport that is passed down from generation to generation.

   This is only the beginning for Elliot and following right behind is a group of next generation drivers that will contend right along with the new guys, LaJoie, Pressley, Blaney, McRenolds, Little, Kennedy, the future is bright for our sport.

   VMRS GETS A CHANCE TO SHINE IN THE SUN - With one of the ten best days of the year in place the VMRS collected the biggest modified car count in recent memory. 35 cars showed up to contend for the prize at Thompson Speedway last Sunday. The decision was made to start them all.

   The debate continues over time trials or heats but this goes down as one for the heat races. Unlike earlier efforts at other tracks the heat races at Thompson offered some exciting action. Maybe it was the composition of drivers that was on hand? The plus minus system worked out to TC’s favor. He didn’t win his heat race but passed 8 cars in it and that put him on the pole for the feature.

   I like this format, 75 laps and let the run, wide open from the drop of the green. I think that is where the Modifieds shine. Wouldn’t a WOO format would be neat to see with a Modified event, time trials to set the heat races, heat races to transfer into the feature, a dash to set the top eight, consi racing to fill the field and a 30 lap feature. Throw in $10,000 to win and I think we would have a winner. Maybe that is the answer?

   Rowan Pennink crossed the line first for the second time this year at Thompson, this time he wouldn’t be denied and took home the checkered flag. The time he spent here running in a Sunoco Modified helped him figure this place out and he has shown he is the man to beat when you race Modifieds at Thompson.

   Although the filed started strong a restart mishap took out several of the competitors. This led to only 16 of the starting 35 to finish the event. That being said, I think it was an encouraging day for Modified Racing, lets hope the trend continues.

   MEMORIAL DAY WMT AT STAFFORD - As has been the custom the WMT tour will kick off the holiday weekend with a Friday night tilt at Stafford. We will be there to take in the action. Make your plans now to join us.

   Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at http://www.rwjm.com/store. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. Remember that God loves you, we love you and

Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
 

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Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

   May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
 

CHECKERED CHEERS

***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***

May 23
STEVE AND PATTY SMUDGE- The Easton, MA retired Mini Modified team owner and wife have their 41st anniversary.

May 26
LLOYD & LINDA AGOR- From Brewster, NY, this Stafford WAARS Modified 2005 champion and wife have their 19th anniversary.

May 27
WALTER & TRUDY CHARETTE- The Linwood,MA proprietor of Son Carpentry/ Mike Stefanik and Dale Jarrett fan and wife/ Reggie Ruggiero/Ernie Irvan fan have their 16th anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

May 23
WALLY DALLENBACH, JR- NNS driver and TV commentator.
CHARLES ELMS III- Bear Ridge, VT Speedway owner and dirt Modified driver.
STEVE CHOWANSKY- Stafford Speedway WAAS SK Modified team owner.
BOB BARKER- "Mad Dog," owner of the Legends 8NY driven by Paul Rochelle III.
DALE NICKEL- This Thompson Speedway photographer is Joan's brother-in-law and photographer Scott's brother.
LISA JO WORTH- South Tom's River, NJ Nextel Cup fan and wife of Don.

May 24
RICKY CRAVEN- The Newburgh, ME NASCAR driver has turned his eforts to broadcasting.
TERRY FISHER- Sandy, OR NASCAR West driver.
JOHN SPORS- Boston, NY NASCAR KNPSE/ Holland Speedway driver.
DALE NELSON- Wife of Cliff, supporter of many local racing teams in CT.

May 25
MIKE MAIETTA- Beech Ridge Speedway LM driver, and occasional on the NASCAR KNPSE Series.
TIM DEROIN- Massachusetts based Modified Series driver and TV filim-maker.
CINDY BURDICK- Danielson, CT wife of Stafford announcing staff member Harold.

May 26
STACY COMPTON- NNS driver.
RONALD COOPER- Statham, VA NNS team owner.
GEORGE BRUNNHOELZL- Lindenhurst, NY chassis builder.
LISA SANSEVERINO- A daughter of Hillsborough, NC photographer Ed and wife Linda.

May 27
GREG GASTELU- Jackson, NJ Wall Township Speedway driver of the famous No. 69 NAPA ProStock.
RON MOON- Cumberland, ME LM driver.
MARK GARMAN- "The Shark" is a Sprint writer from Laureldale, PA and a member of the Grandview Speedway staff.
DR. DICK BERGGREN- TV Race Commentator and short track fan.

May 28
DON FORTE- Terrebone, Quebec LM driver.
WAYNE CARROLL, SR.- Dad of Massachusetts ProStock driver Wayne, Jr.

May 29
KEN SCHRADER- Fenton, MO NSC driver.
JIMMY MEANS- NSC/NNS/NASCAR West independent driver/owner.
AL UNSER, SR.- Retired Indy Car great, Little Al's dad.
LARRY BARNETT- Ledyard, CT Limited late model champion at Thompson Speedway.
RITA TRUDEAU- Wife of retired Chaplin, CT Modified driver Joey.
RICH SYLVESTRI- Retired proprietor of Sylvestri's Auto Care in Canterbury, CT formerly referred to as the Northern World Center of Speed.
RITA ST. JOHN- The mother of Jewett City (CT) Service Proprietor Henry.

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Source: Rev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: May 25, 2012