Dear Friends,
Recently we had the honor of meeting Congressional Medal of Honor awardee Captain Florent A. Groberg, U.S. Army (Ret.), who sustained serious injuries when he risked his life to protect the members of his patrol. Caught in an ambush on a bridge, Captain Groberg noticed a civilian running toward his platoon. As Groberg raced toward the man, he noticed an explosive vest under the man’s clothing. Groberg and his comrade Sergeant Andrew Mahoney pushed the attacker repeatedly until the man fell on his chest. The vest exploded throwing Captain Groberg 15-20 feet. Although four members of the platoon lost their lives, the death toll would have been much higher had it not been for the courageous actions of Groberg.
Capt. Groberg spent nearly three years recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and endured 33 surgeries. When he was informed that he would receive the Medal of Honor, he said, “This medal belongs to them. It’s my mission to tell everyone thank you for recognizing me, but this does not belong to me. It belongs to them. That’s how I’m coping with it mentally.”
As Bonnie and I spoke with Captain Groberg, we were impressed by his humility. When Bonnie told his Fiance, “I believe that Captain Groberg did what he did for me and for every American,” his fiancé quietly responded, “That’s the way he feels too.”
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NIV) Captain Groberg demonstrated his love for his platoon members when he was willing to sacrifice himself to save them. God demonstrated his love for us when he sent Jesus – “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.” John 3:16
Captain Groberg was an ordinary man who did an extraordinary thing. Every day we ordinary Christians have the opportunity to do something extraordinary: we can bring glory to God by sharing with others the Good News that Christ died for them, too.
The rest of the story … We met the Captain as we were boarding a Southwest Airlines flight from Cleveland to Washington, D.C. After we boarded the plane, Bonnie mentioned to the stewardess that Captain Groberg was on the flight. Instantly she raced to the front of the aircraft, grabbed the microphone, and announced, “We have a true American hero on board, let’s show our thanks to Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg.” The entire plane erupted with applause. We were proud to be part of such an outpouring of thanks.
Scripture for the Week: Romans 13:7 (NIV) “Give honor to whom honor is due.”
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 