|
| | Military families of fallen heroes
see empty seats at their Memorial Day BBQ's. Reach out to them. Pray. And thank God for our blood-bought freedom in the USA.
Here's a dose of reality that will prompt your patriotic heart to further appreciate their sacrifice: U.S. Army Specialist Jordan C. Schumann loved his country with all his heart. When asked about
his favorite holiday, he'd readily respond with "the 4th of July! Jordan was so proud to serve his country. On July 5, 2011, he was stationed in Afghanistan. On that day, Jordan was driving
out to aid and assist another squad. Tragically, his truck hit a massive improvised explosive device: At only 24 years old,
he died on July 5 -one day after his favorite holiday. And, at the time of his death, his wife was expecting their first child.
Jordan's precious mom, Linda Schumann, said it best: "Memorial
Day, for me, is the day to go to Arlington and stand and look at my son's tombstone and know that everybody there was willing
to give their life for me." Indeed, Memorial Day offers
each of us an opportunity to appreciate the sacrifice and reach out to military families. It is a time when we remember these
brave men and women who willingly died for freedom. They died so that we may live in peace and safety. Another moving true story is that of Karen Zook, another Gold Star mom. Her son
was Ian Zook, a Marine who bravely died for our country. Ian served in Iraq. One day, he was in the lead Humvee on its way
to rescue wounded soldiers. Suddenly, he was ambushed. And he was killed by three anti-tank mines buried in the road. They
detonated directly underneath him. It was horrific. Like Linda
Schumann, Karen accurately described the true meaning of Memorial Day: "It is not barbecues, it is not hot dogs, it is
not a family get-together... It is a solemn holiday where you honor those who laid down their lives for our nation. I am very
proud of my son. To me, he's my hero."
To that, we add: He's our hero, too. Every single man and woman who has
given the ultimate sacrifice should be everyone's hero/heroine. From
the War of Independence to the present day, over 1.1 million Americans have died in war. Think about it: All those men and
women were dads, moms, sons, daughters, sisters and/or brothers. Each left behind heartbroken families. It is a heavy realization that each one selflessly fought and died for us. They
did not die in vain. They died so that freedom can ring. We must echo that to all of our loved ones -including kids, teens,
etc.
As Christian millennials on a mission, we desire to change the tide of apathy to a wave of appreciation and
outreach full of God's love for veterans and military families. Please join us as we pray and continue to do this throughout
the year. Indeed, may this Memorial Day cause us to remember
the selflessness, the grit, and the courage of our current servicemen and women and veterans. Please read the below true stories
of heroes who willingly gave their lives to save their comrades and defend freedom. Share these stories with your family and
friends.
Such true stories really teach and motivate others to do the right thing. Again, please share. In closing, may we all slowly and deeply think about the words of Christ: "Greater
love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). God bless you,
Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting
Sisters and Founders of Unite the USA
|
Stacie and Carrie On the Radio |  Stacie and Carrie will be on radio shows to talk about Operation Honor Heroes!
1. Hear the Stacie and Carrie on The David Webb Show
on Sirus XM Patriot Monday, May 28 at 10:05 A.M. Central |
 Operation Honor Heroes |
Operation Honor Heroes is a national effort to give tribute where tribute is due. Our outreach called Operation Honor Heroes is associated
with Unite the USA. It has a two-fold mission: 1. To honor and thank our veterans and their
families
2. To educate America's children on the work and sacrifices our veterans have done for us
HOW TO PARTICIPATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
We would appreciate the opportunity to honor your loved ones who have served. We will post a picture and accompanying information
on our web site and social media. Thank you so much!
1. E-mail a picture of your loved one who served
to info@unitetheusa.org.
2. Include your loved one's name, military branch, rank, and years of service.
3. Let us know if you would like
other key information shared as well.
5
WAYS TO HONOR HEROES
1. Let us help you honor the heroes in your life. If you have a loved one
who is a veteran or who is currently in the military, send Stacie and Carrie his or her picture, name, military branch, rank
to info@unitetheusa.org. Unite the USA will post the information online as a way to honor and thank them.
2. Be sure to set
aside time to thank our heroes. Thank
them in person, on the phone, in a card, or through an e-mail.
3. During the summer months, many veterans and servicemen
and women march in local parades. A good time to reach
out and thank them is after the parade. Watch for their military distinctions on their jackets and hats. Just earnestly thank them. They will appreciate your appreciation.
4. Don't forget
our hospitalized heroes or elderly veterans in nursing homes. Send a colorful card, send a gift, or stop by and visit.
Note: In God We Still Trust and Unite the USAmake great gift ideas! :)
5. Invite a veteran to dinner, send a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or order/deliver
a meal for them. Take him or a her a gift. Just do something to show that you care and that you are grateful for
their service.
5 WAYS TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT VETERANS 1.
For starters, begin with the basics. Explain what a veteran is and what that means. Children's book on the subject
can be helpful in the teaching process. Click here for children's book options that are about veterans and patriotism. Visit your local library for more ideas. 2. Tell your kids about friends or family members who have served our country. Show them pictures
to make it more real and meaningful.
3. Introduce your kids to veterans. If you have a
friend or relative who served, make sure your child has the opportunity to meet him/her.
4.
Attend a parade together. Often veterans are honored in parades. Afterwards is a great time to meet and thank them.
5. With your child, write a thank you card or color a picture to give to a veteran. It
means so much to veterans to be remembered -especially by children...They are the future.
|
The True Meaning of Memorial Day | Gold
Star Moms Karen Zook and Linda Schumann share about their sons and the true meaning
of Memorial Day.
|
Memorial Day: Remembering our fallen heroes and their families and friends |
Featured Quote | 
"On Memorial Day, our nation honors those who not only served,
but who gave the full measure of valor -their very lives- for this great nation. It is important for Americans to understand
that these men and women gave everything serving this country and defending a Constitution that guarantees freedom for all
people inside these United States."
Lt. Gen. (Ret.)
William G. "Jerry" Boykin |
This Month's Bible Verse | "Greater love has no one than this,
that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 |
|
| In Memory
of Heroes |  Isaac C. Kidd
WWII
(March 26, 1884 - December 7, 1941)On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked the United Stated at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd rushed to his flag ship, the USS Arizona. As a dedicated commanding officer, he refused to abandon
ship while his men were in danger. He remained faithful to his duties and showed tremendous leadership until the bridge of
the ship was hit by an enemy bomb; killing him instantly. Rear Admiral Kidd was the first Navy flag officer to die in combat.
The only trace of Rear Admiral Kidd found by rescuers was his Naval Academy ring that was fused to a bulkhead on the Arizona's
bridge. 
John Basilone
WWII
(November 4, 1916 - February 19, 1945)Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was among the Marines at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. When the Marines' advance was delayed by Japanese fire from a blockhouse, Basilone led an
attack to abolish the enemy position. Basilone led the Marines forward near the Motoyama Number One airfield. While he went
to get reinforcements, he ordered the Marines to hold the ground "come hell or high water". As Basilone ran forward
with a new group of Marines, a mortar exploded in their midst --killing him instantly.
John James Powers
WWII
(July 3, 1912 - May 8, 1942)
Lt. John James Powers was a Naval aviator in the Battle of the Coral Sear. His goal was to make sure he
sank as many enemy ships as possible. In order to do that, Lt. Powers would dive within feet of the enemy before releasing
his payload. He was fully aware that flying that low was suicide, but he had deemed winning this battle to be more important
than his own life. The last time he was seen, he had just sunk a Japanese carrier when his plane was shot down and killed
him.
 Edward "Butch" O'Hare
WWII
(March 13, 1914 - November 26, 1943)On February 20, 1942, nine Japanese bombers were on their way
to destroy the American aircraft carrier Lexington, but one man stood in the way: Butch O'Hare. He had .50 caliber guns on
his aircraft (F4F Wildcat) but only had enough ammunition to last about 34 seconds of firing. If he missed, his aircraft would
be destroyed. O'Hare single-handedly shot down five enemy bombers and disabled a sixth. As
a result, he saved his ship. It was one of the most daring actions in combat aviation history. O'Hare continued to serve his
country until November 1943 when he was killed in action. The O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois is named in
his honor.
 John R. Fox
WWII
(May 18, 1915 - December 26, 1944)
First Lieutenant John Fox was a member of the famed Buffalo Soldiers. In December 1944, a German battalion attacked
the Allied position in a small village in Northern Italy. Fox bravely volunteered to stay behind to direct artillery. The
Germans continued to advance until they were directly on top of Fox's position. Fox radioed his men to fire. The men objected
because they knew Fox would be killed. Fox knew that he would die, but he responded with two words: "Fire it!" John
Fox gave his life so his fellow soldiers could live.
 The 5 Sullivan Brothers
WWII
1. George Sullivan, 27, Gunner's Mate Second Class
2. Francis "Frank"
Sullivan, 25, Coxswain
3. Joseph "Joe" Sullivan, 23, Seaman Second Class
4. Madison "Matt"
Sullivan, 22, Seaman Second Class
5. Albert "Al" Sullivan, 19, Seaman Second Class The Sullivan brothers were natives of Waterloo, Iowa. They all enlisted
on January 3, 1942 with the condition that they serve together. (At the time the Navy had a policy of separating siblings,
but the policy was not strictly enforced.) The Sullivan brothers' motto was, "We stick together." Tragically, all five brothers were killed when
their ship the USS Juneau (CL-52) was sunk by a Japanese submarine. The Juneau fought in several naval engagements during
the months-long Battle of Guadalcanal. However, on November 13, 1942 the carrier was hit by a torpedo and had to withdraw.
As it was leaving the Solomon Islands' area later that day, the Juneau was struck again. This time, it was hit from a torpedo
by Japanese submarine I-26. The Juneau quickly sank. Rescue efforts were delayed due the Japanese continued presence in the
area. Eight days later ten survivors were retrieved from the water. The survivors reported that Frank, Joe, and Matt Sullivan
were killed instantly. Al drowned the following day and George lived for four or five days. The death of the five Sullivan brothers was so horrible it forced
the U.S. War Department to adopt "The Sole Survivor Policy" so it would never happen again. The searing heartache
that the Sullivan family suffered is truly unimaginable. The Navy named two destroyers The Sullivans to honor the brothers: The Sullivans (DDG-68) and The Sullivans
(DD-537). They were the first U.S. navy ships to be named after more than one person. 
Joe R. Baldonado
Korean War
(August
28, 1930 - November 25, 1950)
Corporal Joe R. Baldonado
was in North Korea when his unit came under heavy attack at 4:00 A.M., two days after Thanksgiving. Within two hours,
his platoon had used up most of their ammunition and they were in imminent danger of being overrun.Baldonado willingly risked his own life and placed his machine gun in an
exposed position. His plan worked and caused the enemy to fall back. The Communists realized that he was one stubborn
machine gunner and that he was the cause of why they were losing momentum. So they concentrated all their firepower on Baldonado.
Nevertheless, he wouldn't stop! He continued firing even as grenades exploded all around him. The enemy made repeated attempts
to storm his position, but they discovered that each attempt caused many casualties thanks to Baldonado. The enemy finally
withdrew, but not before a grenade landed by Baldonado which killed him instantly. During the Korean War, Baldonado and other brave servicemen like him helped slow the enemy's advance. By early
1951, the battle lines were in the general area of what is today the demilitarized zone.
Leslie H. Sabo Jr.
Vietnam War
(February 22, 1948-May 10, 1970)Army Specialist Leslie H. Sabo Jr. near the village of Se San
in eastern Cambodia. On May 10, 1970 his unit was ambushed by North Vietnamese forces. Sabo was a rifleman. Sabo
charged up from the back, grabbed an enemy grenade and tossed it away. He used his body to shield a fellow soldier. Disregarding his own injuries, he crawled straight
toward an enemy bunker, even as the bullets hit the ground all around him. Then, he grabbed a grenade and he pulled the pin.
Sabo held the grenade until the last possible moment because he could stop the deadly bunker and save lives -except his own.
He knew it would take his own life but that it would save his comrades and that meant more to him.
Captain Stephen R. Phillis
Operation Desert Storm
May 17, 1960 - February 15, 1991
On February 15, 1991, Captain Stephen R. Phillis
and his wingman Robert James Sweet were sent on a mission into Iraq to bomb the enemy. They went 80 miles further than any
other A-10 had gone before. After completing their mission, Phillis and Sweet were flying back to the Saudi border when Sweet's
plane was hit by enemy fire. One of the plane's engines was damaged and his plane became difficult to control. Sweet knew
he needed to eject: He radioed his plan to Phillis and then ejected the plane. In response, Phillis turned his plane back
to try to determine his wingman's exact location. (That way, a search could be conducted with greater precision and speed.)
As he was doing so, Phillis was hit by intense enemy fire and had no time to eject. His plane crashed. God bless the memory
of this brave captain.
Michael Monsoor
Operation Iraqi Freedom
(April 5, 1981-September 29, 2006)Navy SEAL Mike Monsoor and his two teammates climbed to rooftop
positions during a firefight in Ramadi, a Sunni insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad. Suddenly, an insurgent grenade bounced
off Monsoor's chest. It landed on the roof. Monsoor looked at it. He had two choices: escape and live yet watch his two comrades die, or die in their place.
We'll let President Bush's speech reveal what happened as he quoted one of the survivors: "Mikey looked death in the face that day and said, 'You
cannot take my brothers. I will go in there instead.' In that terrible moment, he had two options-to save himself, or to save
his friends. For Mike, this was no choice at all. He threw himself onto the grenade and absorbed the blast with his body."
He chose to stay. They lived.
He died. He died for his comrades, but -ultimately- he died for his country.
May God bless the families of these heroes. |
| We give tribute to our military, past and present:
The American Revolution 1775-1783
The Indian Wars
1775-1890
Shay's Rebellion
1786-1787
The Whiskey Rebellion 1794
Quasi-War With France 1798-1800
Fries's
Rebellion
1799
The Barbary Wars
1800-1815
The War of 1812
1812-1815
Mexican-American War
1846-1848
U.S. Slave Rebellions 1800-1865
"Bleeding Kansas"
1855-1860
Brown's Raid on Harper's
Ferry - 1859
United States Civil War 1861-1865
U.S. Intervention in Hawaiian Revolution -1893
The Spanish-American
War - 1898
U.S. Intervention in Samoan Civil War
1898-1899
U.S.-Philippine War
1899-1902
Boxer
Rebellion - 1900
The Moro Wars
1901-1913
U.S. Intervention in Panamanian Revolution 1903
The Banana Wars
1909-1933
U.S.
Occupation of Vera Cruz - 1914
Pershing's Raid Into Mexico - 1916-1917
World War I - 1914-1918
Allied Intervention
in Russian Civil War
1919-1921 World War II -
1941-1945
The Cold War - 1945-1991
The
Korean War
1950-1953
Vietnam War - 1956-1975
U.S. Intervention in Lebanon - 1958
Dominican Intervention
1965
Iranian Hostage Rescue 1980 (April 25)
U.S. Libya Conflict
1981, 1986
U.S. Intervention in Lebanon
- 1982-1984
U.S. Invasion of Grenada 1983
"Operation Earnest Will" 1987-1988
U.S. Invasion of Panama
1989
Second Persian Gulf War "Operation Desert Storm" 1991
"No-Fly Zone" War
1991-2003
U.S.
Intervention in Somalia - 1992-1994
NATO Intervention in Bosnia (Operation
Deliberate Force) Summary - 1994-1995
U.S. Occupation of Haiti 1994
U.S. Embassy bombings and strikes on Afghanistan and Sudan (The bin Laden War) - August,
1998
"Desert Fox" Campaign (part of U.S./Iraq Conflict) December,
1998
Kosovo War - 1999
Attack
on the USS Cole October 12, 2000
Attack on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon September 11, 2001
Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom)
October 7, 2001-Present
"Operation Iraqi Freedom" March 19, 2003-2011 |
Order Now | 
Unite the USA: Discover the ABCs of Patriotism is a new book by Stacie Ruth
and Carrie Beth Stoelting. It's a book that empowers patriots to make a big difference in the land we love. With
100+ ways to make a positive difference in America, Unite the USA is a must-have tool for patriots. Unite
the USA will inspire and educate Americans to defend faith and freedom. (Important Note: All proceeds go to
fund the mission of UnitetheUSA.org.) Order it here today! |
In God We Still Trust
an inspiring album dedicated to God and veterans
by Stacie and Carrie Stoelting |
Per request from veterans who love patriotic and inspiring music sung by Stacie and Carrie, In God We Still Trust was recorded. From the National Anthem to "God Bless America" you will be inspired and uplifted about our God-given
freedoms. All proceeds go to Unite the USA. Help promote faith and freedom in America. Your support is important and appreciated.
Buy or download a copy today.God bless you as you celebrate the red, white, and blue! |
| In God We Still Trust
Video | Our country needs to turn
to Jesus. Listen to "In God We Still Trust" for inspiration to keep "fighting the good fight". For
hope and encouragement, listen to Stacie Ruth and Carrie Beth sing "In God We Still Trust".
|
| Share and Sign Up | Be sure to share this edition with your friends. Sign up for Unite the USA's free monthy e-mail here!
|
| Booking Info |
Celebrate the true spirit of America with Carrie Beth and Stacie Ruth. Book Stacie and Carrie
for concert or conference! E-mail info@unitetheusa.org for more information. |
|
|
|
