Presentation made to World War II veteran's family

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

Cross Point Church Pastor Tim Heyer introduced the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 Color Guard, who posted the colors.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Grant County Sheriff's Office Chaplain Danny Castillo gave the invocation.

He also said: "On behalf of all veterans, we appreciate what Cross Point Pastor Tim does for veterans."

U.S. Army Veteran Chris O'Dell talked about the organization Iron Sharpens Iron, which is a Christian ministry to bring veteran men together under God to have a better relationship with Jesus. "It was mentally and spiritually tough for Christ, so we want to bring the word of God to veterans. The organization brought real healing to me when I got back from war. I was a Christian but this group brought me back to a full understanding of Christianity"

He said the next speaker was one of the founders of Iron Sharpens Iron. "He served from 1984-1990, with the 82nd Airborne. He is a husband, father and a seriously hard-working man of God. I have a wife and two daughters and I'm going to be a grandfather. It's amazing what God has done in my life."

O'Dell introduced Ron Trappman, who thanked Cross Point for hosting the lunch for veterans. He quoted from the last paragraph of The United States Declaration of Independence, which states: "We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

"I have confidence in the Divine Providence," Trappman said. "The Declamation of Independence is for God and country. I always thought that order of the words was the most common order, putting God first. The beginning of the declaration states: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' This country was founded and would remain a solid republic, but only for a moral and religious people. We cannot separate freedom from God. Jesus, our Good Shepherd was a sergeant. He knew sacrifice and betrayal, but he was just like every other sergeant, a shepherd and guardian of his flock of soldiers. Privates are the sheep of the sergeant, our Good Shepherd. The shepherd will, as will the sergeant, lay down his life for his sheep, just as our Good Shepherd lay down his life for us, his sheep."

He then talked about a good sergeant, Roman R. Arellin. He already had received a Silver Star. What he did in battle that took his life brought him a second Silver Star, with oak clusters. "It was Italy 1944, when the reconnaissance patrol he was leading back to friendly lines, encountered a large German patrol. He charged the larger force and drew the fire to himself saving his men from becoming captives. The brave dash of the American and with his men pursuing the Germans caused them to retreat. They and we owe much to his sacrifice and the sacrifice of those who fought for our freedoms."

Trappman then introduced Julian Arellin, as the younger brother of Roman Arellin, and presented a framed folded flag to Julian in honor of his brother's sacrifice.

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