Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Veterans Prayer's In honor of Mr. James Noakes, my neighbor, friend and father of four children which I have grown up with on Moffett Road and who I still cherish as my friends. Particulary his first son Jim Noakes whom I have shared many memories since we both were very young boys growing up on Martin and Moffett Roads and going to Simon Kenton High School and Kenton Elementary and still today or with each other each week working our way through life. I have seen the Love Jim has for his father and how he tried to help make his remaing days to be peaceful. I traveled with him to Wilmore to pray and sing for his Dad's peaceful journey to Heaven. I wish Jim, Wayne, Jeff and Cindy who lived with her Dad her entire life our earnest prayers and support. He was a true friend and I am glad I had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with him, singing, playing and talking about the times we boys played ball in the field next to their house. Thank God Mrs. Noakes made all those great pies and cookies and did not kill us for breaking windows and sending ball sailing into the House were great neighbors verse is a tribute I wrote to our Veterans, one of which was my Metal of Honor Winner James Noakes. The Clouds Have Move On: As each day goes by, I see my duty like the clouds in the sky's are dark and gruesome and move Quickly by, but others stay and lingered while my brothers die. Those who make my decisions seem far from my eyes but I know that my Lord stands watching in the Sky. I just wait for the day when the clouds have move to another place so that I can still claim to be a part of the human race. Yes, I am in fear of losing my life while fighting for this cause but you see that is what I am all about, as I go hither and yon to and fro waiting for the word from home that all is well and my time has not come. Moving from shore to shore or hill to hill or working our way from town to town through peoples who know nothing but to be put down. I never know what to expect except the unexpected as the clouds go by, So in case, I am not here, to listen to this speech remember my face as part of the human race and know that I am with God were freedom abounds and all the clouds are gone and the sky is bright and many old friends I have found who fought before me for what you enjoy as a free human race so that you know that what I did was no disgrace. It was my duty you see, for I was a soldier, sailor, air core man, marine, nurse and one men and women who served, because that was my place. Now I am with God and I understand, so maintain your vigilance and be prepared. For God’s heaven too will soon be in your plan for the clouds of darkness fall on all men. Death will come as He has said so be prepared when He knocks on your door and let yourself be led for Christ will come again, so your life will never end. Then you too will come to this place where no clouds will be seen, just peace resting within God’s Grace. Now I must go, for you see another night will come and I must prepare a place and try to help my children in the human race. Say hello to veteran, and thank him for sure, he’s your neighbor, friend or person next door. John A. Stephenson Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Kentucky www.jstephenson.com 859-653-7000
