430 miles for fajitas?

     We drove to Ft. Worth, Texas last Monday to eat fajitas at Papasitas Cantina!  Actually and to be truthful there was a lot more involved than that....and as Paul Harvey would say "and now the rest of the story".
     We got a call on Friday from someone very special to us, Erin Rhode.  For those of you who don't know...she is the daughter of LT James Mitchell JR who was killed in Viet Nam in 1965.  (Jim was Ed's LT and killed from the same land mine that injured Ed.)  She told us that she and Scott would be in FT. Worth on Monday evening and wanted to know if we could make the trip south to visit with them.  There was no hesitation in answering that question...obviously we would go!  It has meant so much to both of us to have Erin and her family in our lives.  This year her three children were not with them as they all had their own activities elsewhere...so we also left our grand children home.  Over the years her children and our grand children have developed a great friendship and we are so happy about that!
     Erin and the two of us arrived early in the day and spent an afternoon "catching up".  Scott arrived at the hotel about 7:00 PM and we left for Papaistas Cantina; Scott's absolute favorite Mexican restaurant in this area.  We enjoyed a dinner of wonderful fajitas.  Scott says they are the worlds best!  Back at the hotel we visited for a long while before going to get some rest from the long day.
     We met for breakfast in the morning and visited some more before Scott had to leave for work...we wished him well saying "someone has to work!".  We were all a bit uncertain if this was the 3rd or 4th year we had been meeting here; but for sure it has become a yearly event for us and we so enjoy the time spent together.  It truly means so much for Ed to be a part of Erin's life.  For him it is an important way to honor the memory of LT. Mitchell. 

Connie Beesley

    It is so amazing how certain events are etched in our memories. Even the passage of time cannot diminish their impact on our lives.  One such event happened in my life on July 20th 1965.  I was in Vietnam where we were fighting a war our politicians would not let us win and our fellow Americans did not support, a very confusing time for a 19 year old farm boy. On that day I recall my platoon commander announcing the birth of his baby girl Erin. To me that baby girl was a symbol of hope in a chaotic world.  Her father James M Mitchell Jr.would be killed in action six weeks later.  She would never see him.  It would be many years later that I would be privileged to meet that little girl who was now grown and has a family of her own. Erin, You impacted my life those many years ago  and you Scott and the kids still inspire me today.  Thank you soooo very much for being in my life.

Semper Fi
Eddie R Beesley

Just Being There

     Sometimes people think that IF they are not doing something for a large group what they are doing is insignificant...I say that is not so!  Not to pat our our own backs, but to let you know that what we do one on one is often of the greatest value.   In our years in ministry it has been these times when we KNOW we have helped someone in their darkest moments that keeps us motivated.  Talking to someone who has been contemplating suicide but then walks away encouraged is more important than speaking to a crowded room in "general" terms.  Yes, Eddie does enjoy speaking in churches and to veteran and civic groups with his message of hope and encouragement...but sometimes we need to be there one on one; or as in our case most of the time...two on two....to listen, to encourage and to offer suggestions for hope and help.
     Just this past week we had one of those opportunities. We met for lunch with a couple who wanted and needed help and comfort for their veteran son.  I will not go into particulars...such things told in confidence need to be kept there.  Their son is now dying and they needed to know some things AND most of all that someone cared.  We plan on visiting with him when the parents set that up and "just being there".  Sometimes that is all one can do AND sometimes that is the best and biggest thing we can do.  I recall on one VA hospital visit that Eddie was asked to come into a veterans room.  The man was dying...soon.  He couldn't speak but as Eddie spoke to him and held his hand his eyes filled with tears.  Just knowing someone cared enough to take time out of their day to sit with him for a while meant so much to him and also to his family. 
     Each one of us can do these small but BIG things IF we will listen to where God leads us if we want to help and be there for others.  And since we have been unable to do a lot of traveling these past few years this is where we concentrate our efforts for now. We hope that we will soon have the necessary financing to be back on the road to our military hospitals...if not we will continue to what we can closer to home.  And remember to keep a smile on your face as that small gesture will brighten the day for those you come in contact with!

Connie Beesley