An Honored Hero

This weekend I made the trek to Mayville, WI with friends Amy and Dan to honor not only a soldier, but a son, a brother, and a friend. A co-worker suggested I blog about the experience of this weekend, and I think that is a really good idea. Words can't possibly encapsulate everything felt and shared this weekend, but I will certainly give it a try.

I didn't quite know what to expect. I've been to plenty of funerals but not for anyone this age...and not for anyone that I really knew like I knew David. David and I were buddies in college. We were on Crosswalk together (which is Evangel's student ministries board). We both worked in the office, and I saw him on pretty much a daily basis. My friend Amy and I spent the majority of our time hacking into his Facebook, hiding his stuff, and just being flat out silly. But, he loved it, and he loved to do it right back. David almost functioned as our big brother, and boy did he get under our skin. However, at the end of the day, you couldn't help but love him.

The community was absolutely incredible. At almost every turn, there was a yellow ribbon honoring David. His name could be seen across many store fronts and signs. Not only was Mayville proud of their son, but the surrounding towns were as well. This community is a family, and they rallied behind the Johnsons in a way that I've never seen before. They carried the burden with them. They reminded me of what the body of Christ should really look like and how it should function. They were extensions of His hands and feet.

This weekend as we reminisced, we definitely felt nothing but love for our friend. We remembered all the times he frustrated us, but more importantly we remembered all the times he made us laugh. Thousands of people walked through that kid's visitation. Thousands. Way to go, David. Way to make an impact.

At his visitation, all the pictures of him just showed his zest and love for life. He looked like such a goober in the majority of his pictures, but that is the David we will remember and love. Also on display were all of the medals he was awarded. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and a few other medals. I'm so proud of him. What a huge honor. He was only over there a month, but the impact and leadership he left will go with his family for a lifetime.

There were lots of tears shed for a friend who left too soon. David's mom said that she may not understand, but she trusts in Him. While her son's "vessel was broken and smashed, he is now whole with God." It's words like these that remind me of the hope there is in Christ...the hope we have for eternity spent with Him. His family stood strong in the face of adversity and recounted the life of someone they all hold so dear. His sister Emily touched my heart the most as her broken heart was laid out before us. He definitely left a hole.

The services ended with us going to the Mayville Veteran's Memorial Park where David was presented with the 21 gun salute and a Black Hawk fly over. The American flag was also awarded to his mom. Amy and I joked that David always told us (and everyone he knew) that he was a big deal and the coolest person we knew. Lo and behold, he really was a big deal. He was a big deal because of how he lived his life for Christ. God used him to lead so many others back and to the Lord for the first time. David's mom shared testimonies of the light people had seen in his life. David was a big deal because he decided to let God be a big deal in and through him. I couldn't be more proud of my friend.

It's been almost a year since the last time I saw him, but I will carry the many memories into the future. He showed me what it means to live.

I love you, David Johnson. Thanks for showing us what it means to be like Christ. You'll always be a big deal to me.

Love you guys.

In Him,
Em