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IN HONOR OF MEMORIAL DAY: WILLIAM HENRY SOMERS - A YOUNG WWI SOLDIER'S STORY

William Henry Somers By Angela Somers-Wittman My grandfather entered the Army at the young age of 23 years. He had been born in Tuckerman, Arkansas in 1894 and spent his childhood on the family farm in Stringtown, Butler County, Missouri. He was the oldest child of Henry Francis and Cotna Lisbeth (Cole) Somers. One can only imagine the feelings of excitement mixed with loneliness for family and loved ones he felt as he left his small hometown for military service in Europe. But Grandfather was already a man, one who had matured at a young age when his father was killed in a work accident. He knew how to shoot, hunt for food and possessed a good amount of common sense. He was used to rough conditions and hard work from the years spent on the family farm. Little did he know when he joined the Army and was sent to the frontline of the conflict in Europe that those skills would prove to be valuable and help save his life. After being deployed to France with the US Armed For

Removal of Confederate Flags and Monuments: Straining at Gnats?

By Angela Wittman Image from Wikipedia "Our Heroes and Our Flags 1896" by Southern Lithograph Co., New York  Regular readers of this blog will know that I've been researching my father's family heritage and periodically post my findings at the Somers Family Heritage blog. What you might not know is I discovered my 4th, 3rd and possibly 2nd Great Grandfathers were slave holders. As one who has firmly and consistently denounced any form of racism this information rocked me to the core. In fact, I was so dismayed at the revelation, I almost stopped researching my family tree because I wasn't prepared for the historical truth of my ancestry. You see, I was always taught that my grandfather hid his Native American heritage due to the persecution of the Cherokee. Grandpa was a "half-breed" and looked down upon by others for something he had no control over - his race. It never occurred to me he might have been the grandson of a slave holder. So, after confidi

In Honor of Men Who Lead

By Angela Wittman I received the most touching letter last year concerning the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial commonly known as "The Wall." This story comes straight from the heart of one of my favorite leading men. I am truly grateful that I have been given the privilege to know this man who has beautifully expressed the unique bond of brotherhood shared by men who have risked their lives and spilled their blood during war for our freedom. Due to the recent casualties of the Iraq War, I feel compelled to share this story with you in honor of all our fighting men and in recognition of Memorial Day. May the good LORD bless them all for the selflessness they have displayed.Please read this heartfelt account written by Bill Kuenkler of Granite City, Illinois, and then please join me as I give thanks to the LORD for blessing our nation with patriotic men who lead by example while displaying the same courage and honor as our forefathers. Friends, This was a day to remember for me.

Is this any way to treat a lady?

By Angela Wittman "If certain federal lawmakers have their way, your eighteen-year-old daughters will be registered for selective service and drafted for combat by the next war or U.N. "peacekeeping" operation. Should she find herself engaged in an overseas military exercise of any kind, you will be expected to accept as part of her duty, that if captured, she may be shot and gang raped. You will be told that this is the price of freedom which must be equally borne by men and women alike. If this future seems far-fetched, then you may be blind to one of the single greatest socio-cultural changes to occur in the history of West for more than 2,500 years." (The Church Must Oppose the Sin of Women at War, by Douglas W. Phillips, Esq./ Vision Forum Ministries) "To have women serving as soldiers on the battlefield is an abomination in the eyes of God and ought to be an offense to righteous men and women. It is an abandonment of the God-given order for society

'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.'

By Angela Wittman Dear Friends, [caption id="" align="alignright" width="148"] Saddam Hussein statue falling  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption] There has been much local and national debate about the war in Iraq. It seems we have seen and heard almost every opinion imaginable expressed. We have been bombarded with horrific scenes of bombing, shooting and burning while staying tuned to our television sets. Who can forget the scenes of a blinding sandstorm and the brave men in uniform? I even received a beautiful photo via e-mail of soldiers who had dug a shallow pool in the sand, lined with canvas and filled with water for the sacrament of baptism. May God bless our troops! I have chosen two explicitly Christian responses to the war in Iraq to share with you and, which I pray will give you another view point from which to look at the War. The first is written by Pastor Doug Holmes of Sovereign Grace Church in Coulter, Iowa, who is also an ex-marine. His