Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

21 steps: It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is
the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time
and, if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes,
twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be
between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the
rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on
their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only
400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their
lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.. Guards dress for duty
in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor
watch TV All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid
to rest in Arlington National Cemetery . A guard must memorize who they are
and where they are interred. Among the notables are:

President Taft,
Joe Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, the most
decorated soldier of WWII of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for
guard duty.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our
US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC
evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the
hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They
respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin,
marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding
the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be
afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,
24/7, since 1930.

The sacrifice that these men give to honor those who have sacrificed so much more is eye opening to me. Each and everyone of the men buried here and in every other national cemetery have sacrificed their LIVES so that we might enjoy the freedoms we have here on this earth. In the same way these men who commit to honoring these heroes give up many conveniences and entertainment. They spend two years building disciplines into their lives. And they NEVER back down. No matter the environment, the ridicule, or the "pleasures" they are missing out on. They give their all to fulfill their earthly calling. How much more the calling of our Heavenly father? Do I demonstrate even a fraction of this discipline in my daily walk with the Lord? What about my commitment to His charge, "Go ye into all the earth and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15)? Do I faithfully live my life as the, "Light of the World"? (Matthew 5:14)

These men do so much to honor those who have given us earthly freedom. How much more should I honor Him who has given me ETERNAL freedom?!?!?!?! (John 3:15&16) It is my prayer that I will share the Love of God with everyone and in every situation I come into with the same passion and dedication as these men.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside EVERY weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us RUN with ENDURANCE the RACE that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

:)

"That men may KNOW that Thou, Whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." Psalms 83:18

"The Rest of The Story"

This past Thursday 13 American Soldiers were killed and another 30
wounded at a horrific mass shooting at US Army installation, Ft Hood
Texas. As I watched in horror and then anger I recalled my two years
of final service in the Army as a Battalion Commander at Ft Hood,
2002-2004.

My wife and two daughters were stunned at the incident having lived on
the post in family housing.

A military installation, whether it is Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine,
or Coast Guard, is supposed to be a safe sanctuary for our Warriors
and their families. It is intended to provide a home whereby our “Band
of Brothers and Sisters” can find solace and bond beyond just the
foxhole but as family units.

A military installation is supposed to be a place where our Warriors
train for war, to serve and protect our Nation.

On Thursday, 5 November 2009 Ft Hood became a part of the battlefield
in the war against Islamic totalitarianism and state sponsored
terrorism.

There may be those who feel threatened by my words and would even
recommend they not be uttered. To those individuals I say step aside
because now is not the time for cowardice. Our Country has become so
paralyzed by political correctness that we have allowed a vile and
determined enemy to breach what should be the safest place in America,
an Army post.

We have become so politically correct that our media is more concerned
about the stress of the shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan. The
misplaced benevolence intending to portray him as a victim is
despicable. The fact that there are some who have now created an
entire new classification called; “pre-virtual vicarious Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)” is unconscionable.

This is not a “man caused disaster”. It is what it is, an Islamic
jihadist attack.

We have seen this before in 2003 when a SGT Hasan of the 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault) threw hand grenades and opened fire
into his Commanding Officer’s tent in Kuwait. We have seen the foiled
attempt of Albanian Muslims who sought to attack Ft Dix, NJ. Recently
we saw a young convert to Islam named Carlos Bledsoe travel to Yemen,
receive terrorist training, and return to gun down two US Soldiers at
a Little Rock, Arkansas Army recruiting station. We thwarted another
Islamic terrorist plot in North Carolina which had US Marine Corps
Base, Quantico as a target.

What have we done with all these prevalent trends? Nothing.

What we see are recalcitrant leaders who are refusing to confront the
issue, Islamic terrorist infiltration into America, and possibly
further into our Armed Services. Instead we have a multiculturalism
and diversity syndrome on steroids.

Major Hasan should have never been transferred to Ft Hood, matter of
fact he should have been Chaptered from the Army. His previous
statements, poor evaluation reports, and the fact that the FBI had him
under investigation for jihadist website posting should have been
proof positive.

However, what we have is a typical liberal approach to find a victim,
not the 13 and 30 Soldiers and Civilian, but rather the poor shooter.
A shooter who we are told was a great American, who loved the Army and
serving his Nation and the Council on American Islamic Relations
(CAIR) stating that his actions had nothing to do with religious
belief.

We know that Major Hasan deliberately planned this episode; he did
give away his possessions. He stood atop a table in the confined space
of the Soldier Readiness Center shouting “Allahu Akhbar”, same chant
as the 9-11 terrorists and those we fight against overseas in the Iraq
and Afghanistan theaters of operation.

No one in leadership seems willing to sound the alarm for the American
people; they are therefore complicit in any future attacks. Our
Congress should suspend the insidious action to vote on a preposterous
and unconstitutional healthcare bill and resolve the issue of
“protecting the American people”.

The recent incidents in Dearborn Michigan, Boston Massachusetts,
Dallas Texas, and Chicago Illinois should bear witness to the fact
that we have an Islamic terrorism issue in America. And don’t have
CAIR call me and try to issue a vanilla press statement; they are an
illegitimate terrorist associated organization which should be
disbanded.

We have Saudi Arabia funding close to 80% of the mosques in the United
States, one right here in South Florida, Pompano Beach. Are we
building churches and synagogues in Saudi Arabia? Are “Kaffirs” and
“Infidels” allowed travel to Mecca?

So much for peaceful coexistence.

Saudi Arabia is sponsoring radical Imams who enter into our prisons
and convert young men into a virulent Wahabbist ideology….one
resulting in four individuals wanting to destroy synagogues in New
York with plastic explosives. Thank God the explosives were dummy.
They are sponsoring textbooks which present Islamic centric
revisionist history in our schools.

We must recognize that there is an urgent need to separate the
theo-political radical Islamic ideology out of our American society.
We must begin to demand surveillance of suspected Imams and mosques
that are spreading hate and preaching the overthrow of our
Constitutional Republic……that speech is not protected under First
Amendment, it is sedition and if done by an American treason.

There should not be some 30 Islamic terrorist training camps in
America that has nothing to do with First Amendment, Freedom of
Religion. The Saudis are not our friends and any American political
figure who believes such is delusional.

When tolerance becomes a one way street it certainly leads to cultural
suicide. We are on that street. Liberals cannot be trusted to defend
our Republic, because their sympathies obviously lie with their
perceived victim, Major Nidal Malik Hasan.

I make no apologies for these words, and anyone angered by them,
please, go to Ft Hood and look into the eyes of the real victims. The
tragedy at Ft Hood Texas did not have to happen. Consider now the
feelings of those there and on every military installation in the
world. Consider the feelings of the Warriors deployed into combat
zones who now are concerned that their loved ones at home are in a
combat zone.

Ft Hood suffered an Islamic jihadist attack, stop the denial, and
realize a simple point.

The reality of your enemy must become your own.


Steadfast and Loyal,

Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Ret)

WHO are YOU?

"When, on my bed, I think of You, I meditate on You during the night watches." Psalm 63:6

It is a law of life--that our thoughts build our character.

If we meditate on the purity, the holiness, the goodness, the love, the righteousness, of Christ--these qualities will print themselves upon our own hearts.

Paul has given us an infallible direction for the best spiritual culture.
"Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable--
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--
think about such things!" Philippians 4:8

Thoughts from J. R. Miller The Lesson of Love, 1903

Does God ever take YOUR breath away?

As I was reading the last few pages of a great book last night I read these words, "Does God ever take YOUR breath away?" I thought to myself, Yes, He does, But I am so busy with "stuff" most of the time that I do not take the time to recognize His beauty. In the past two weeks God has taken my breath away through a series of spectacular and amazing sunrises and sunsets. Over the course of the past two weeks every day that it was not raining God's hand has been gently, yet powerfully proclaimed the wonder of Himself across the skies! I am reminded of the following song which so clearly proclaims the wonder and awe of our FATHER.

Every time this week I have not had my camera with me. You would think that after two times I would remember. Well, even this morning as I was walking out of my room I saw my camera, and I thought to myself, "Maybe I should grab that". I didn't. And this am there was an even more spectacular sunrise that I was not even able to capture on my phone. :(



Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

"All Thy works shall praise Thy NAME" I am constantly amazed by the works of our God. He is truly amazing and His power is a perfect reminder to me that my focus MUST stay on Him in EVERYTHING I do. EVERYTHING!

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 Not in my own strength but in HIS strength but through me allowing God to work in and through my heart and life. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13


Come People of the risen King,
Who delight to bring Him praise;
Come all and tune your hearts to sing
To the Morning Star of grace
From the shifting shadows of the earth
We will lift our eyes to Him,
Where steady arms of mercy reach
To gather children in.

Rejoice, Rejoice!
Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice;
O Church of Christ, rejoice!

Come, those whose joy is morning sun,
And those weeping through the night;
Come, those who tell of battles won,
And those struggling in the fight.
For His perfect love will never change,
And His mercies never cease,
But follow us through all our days
With the certain hope of peace.

Come, young and old from every land -
Men and women of the faith;
Come, those with full or empty hands -
Over all the world, His people sing
Shore to shore we hear them call
The truth that cries through every age:
"Our God is all in all"!

So Time Flies When YOU Are Having Fun???

So what would happen if I wasn't having fun?? Would I get more time to get the things done that I need to??? Well I wish it would work that way..... :)

So the past month and a half has been crazy busy... But hey. Life is great that way. It keeps me out of trouble. Over this past month I have had the honor and privilege of making many new friends as well as seeing many old ones. God did an amazing work in and through everyone that I interacted with. I was especially blessed to be able to work alongside several men and women that I consider to be "Irons" in my life that are sharpening me to become more like Christ.

Over the 4th of July all of my dad's family gathered near the Oklahoma border at our Uncles place. All of us guys were in the tent around back, and Julie. Over the long weekend we spent a lot of the time down at the creek, having water fights, eating, shooting fireworks, talking, and reading. :) It was a grand time.

I was at home working most of the month of July. It was great to just be home and not on the road for awhile.

Toward the end of July things started gearing up for the Dallas Children's Program during the IBLP seminars. Again this year I was the Team Leader and Story Teller, Elizabeth was the Song Leader and Teacher Trainer, and Michael was the materials man. Abigail Del Mul was our piano player and wisdom walk, Anna & John Del Mul helped with skits and cooking, and mom, Mrs. Del Mul, Joseph, and Victoria also helped with the cooking. God brought along an amazing team of teachers for this week. Each one of them brought something special to the team that no other could duplicate. God blessed us with 70 blessings for the week and it was a joy to work with each of them.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dallaschildrensprogram

God's hand was so evident in the team and in all the events in the weeks leading up to the seminar. First off God blessed us with a great source for purchasing polo's for all the teachers and getting them embroidered for a great deal. Then God worked things so that we were able to procure almost ALL of the craft supplies from the old stockpiles of the CI department. That was almost a $500 savings........ As we started gearing up for the week it looked like we would have just enough teachers. Then God brought along a few more. I was thinking great. Either God is preparing us for more children than we had originally planned. But that was not quite what God had in mind. He had other plans for a few of the teachers so we were back to not having enough teachers. But in the last week and even days God bought along just the perfect number of teachers we needed. This year we were blessed with having the children's program in a different building from last year. The new building worked so much better for all the teams to have their own sunday school room and a great large group room. We truly serve an awesome God who never failed to show Himself strong throughout the entire week. The absolute greatest blessing from the week came in the form of a little guy who accepted Christ as his Saviour!!!! Not only did he understand his need for a Saviour but he also knew the needs of the rest of the team. The next night after having accepted Christ he came back and wanted to talk to his team leader again. He had one request. He wanted to pray for the salvation of ALL the other kids on the team. Praise the Lord for His work in the heart of this little one and his teachers.

Another blessing of the Lord was the provision of a house for us to stay in while we were down there. The Bridges family was gone on vacation and to ministry training that week and allowed us to stay in their beautiful home. Having an entire home was so much nicer than being crammed into a hotel room. Two of our friends from near Atlanta were also staying with us while they were teaching so that made for many LATE nights. Praise God for His indescribable blessings.

On a fun note... One night after cooldown we dismissed all the teachers packed up and headed outside. 2 of the teachers parents were not yet back to pick them up. So we all hit the swings in the church playground along with the Del Mul's. We had so much fun swinging, laughing, swinging more, laughing more, and just having a great time. Well, teachers mom's showed up and mom and Mrs. Del Mul were STIIIIIIIIIIL talking. :) So we kept swinging and talking. I think I swung the hardest I have EVER swung. We had a competition seeing who could jump the farthest, highest, ect. The next morning we were all sore from having swung for nearly and HOUR and a HALF. It was amazing.

Sunday we went to church with the Del Mul's. Several of the teachers from the weak and cadets that I have worked with at various camps also attend there so I ended up knowing over half the church!!!!!!! The afternoon was spent hanging out at the Del Mul's house having a great time looking through the pictures from the week and watching the videos from the skits reliving the past week.

Sunday night we headed home and had a grand time on the drive back. There was a lot of fun as on every hour you had to switch seats to another row and to sitting beside a different person. Everyone but me that was... It is a rough life having to drive... lol :) It was even worse having Sarah and Becky Clarke coming back with us... :) Just kidding. That only made the drive more lively.

Monday I worked back at the office crazily trying to get things caught up from being gone for a week and get ahead so I could be gone another week. :) Thankfully I got everything accomplished that I needed to.

Tuesday dawned with Elizabeth, Michael, Sarah, Becky, and I on the road to KY for Lyndsae's wedding. Due to lots of LOOOONG slowdowns for construction we took a few scenic detours and had a blast taking BACK roads, a.k.a. everything down to dirt roads between corn fields. Amazingly enough we actually made up time! After a brief photo stop at the Arch in St. Louis. we continued up toward KY. When we were about an hour away Lyn called and said that Brystol, Tim, David, and Lizzy were at the mall in Evansville. So armed with the knowledge of what store they were in we stopped by the mall. Well, things didn't turn out quite as we planned. We found them and had a great time still.

The days prior to the wedding were busy ones preparing the church, ranch, cake, and every other aspect of the wedding. Each night the older ones who were staying at the house would gather and play a few games and have some fun. By Friday night we had nearly 50 people staying at the Ranch and it was a blast. I had a great time working with David, one of the irons in my life, and many others.

Friday morning brought a relaxing but much to short volleyball game then it was off the the rehearsal. I shot a few hundred pictures that afternoon and evening at the church. On the way to the rehearsal dinner I had the opportunity to ride with Lew and Melodie Sterrett. It was great to talk with them on the drive to the restaurant. The young people kinda stacked our table so it was a great time. Bryce had just arrived earlier that day so it was great to get to tlak with him some. That evening once we got back to the house all the young people stayed up playing many fun group games.

Saturday was a hive of activity getting ready for the wedding and everything else that had to happen that day. God brought in so many people to help get things ready that almost everything went so smoothly. Many Thanks goes to all the wonderful people serving this week(end). Ben Clarke and I had the privilege of being the photographers for the wedding. along with our sisters Elizabeth and Becky helping out also. Ben and I had a great time while shooting all the pics and even had some fun behind the bride and grooms back!!!! ;) When it was all said and done we had nearly 1700 pictures from just Friday and Saturday. After the wedding and all the clean up, and a humongous rain storm we had a civil war era ball in the family room. It was once again another LATE night. :)

Sunday brought about 4 FULL vehicles from the Reckner Ranch to church. The afternoon was relaxing but sad. because many goodbyes were said...... :( The wedding was a great time but I think even better than the wedding was all the great friendships that were strengthened. I had so many great friends there, The Reckner's, Clarkes, David, Lizzy, Matt, Josh, Anna, Ben, Seth, Bekah, Adrian, Bryce and Heather were back. And many, many, more that would take to long to list.

Pics on Facebook Pics on Picasa

Monday we headed back home and that is where I have been ever since. Working at the shop, working with our local ALERT Cadet unit, studying, and several other projects.

Praise be to God for His safety and lovingkindness.

For I know the plans I have for you.....

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope" Jerimiah 29:11

So today I finished work and was thinking.... Thinking of all the studying I was going to get done, workbook pages accomplished, a test finished, some photo editing completed, attend a reception for some missionary's from our church, and a host of other items.

Well, God had other plans.

After dinner we all headed out to the church. For the past 8 years or so we had grown up spending lots of time with the Roberts family whenever they were in the states on furlough. Mr. Roberts was a missionary with New Tribes Missions (NTM) in the Phillipines. Formerly a pilot he now maintained the fleet of airplanes NTM had there in the Philipines. Working with pilots like Matin Burnham and many others. Mrs. Roberts taught in the school for the other MK's on the compound and worked with the locals. While in the states many an afternoon was spent at the Roberts house or with their three children, Brian, Jon, and Amber, over at our house. The Roberts were servants to ALL. No matter if they were half way around the world or in Tulsa, OK they were constantly serving others. During the winter of 2001 my mom broke her "good" ankle. Having polio as a young child her left leg was already very weak and unstable by itself. So, when she broke her right leg she was for all practical purposes immobilized. Not long after breaking her leg it snowed a record snow for OK. Almost a FOOT of white powder lay on the ground. But with mom unable to drive we had to be content to play in the front yard. Mom meanwhile was bemoaning the fact that she was not able to take us to the large retention pond less than a mile away to sled on the BIG snow.

Just moments after pouring her heart out to the Lord there was a knock on the door. And there stood Mrs. Roberts, Amber, and Jon. Mrs Roberts announced that she was here to take us kids sleeding and to hurry and get dressed. What an answer to the desire of my mom's heart. We spent that eveining and several others racing down the slopes with the Roberts kids, making snow men, and many other fun things.

3 years later found Jon in the Army. He loved his country and was proud to be an AMERICAN. In 2005 Jon was deployed to Iraq. On a sweltering August day in 2005 he was driving a vehicle down a highway in rural Iraq. As he was drinvg down the road he was met by a semi driven by a local. The semi crossed the center line of the hignway and struck Jon's vehicle head on. This left Jon in critical condition fighting for his life. He suffered massive injuries including brain damage. He was flown to Germany and then on to the US for treatment. The Doctors said he would never walk or talk again. His parents were flown back to the US from the mission field and he spent the next 6months in the hospital. Today he can walk with assistance, use a few words, and interact via his "typer".

As I sat listening to Jon, his parents, and Amber share what God had done in their lives since that time I was reminded of Jerimiah 29:11. They had plans 3 years ago and this was not in what they thought they would be doing. I had plans even for tonight. But they were not God's. Jon is content with where God has him. His responses to questions posed to him, his love for his family, and most importantly God was so evident. As I sat there listening to them share I was once again struck with the Love they have for one another and their selfless sacrifices day in and day out to care for Jon. What a blessing it was to spend several hours with the Roberts last night. I came home totally refreshed in a great way.

Father I pray you will help me to seek You with all my heart and serve each person that you bring across my path whether it is conveniant or not, whether it fits my plans or not, whether I feel like it or not.

Stand Strong!

Will You?

I will glory in my Redeemer
Whose priceless blood has ransomed me
Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails
And hung Him on that judgment tree
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who crushed the power of sin and death
My only Savior before the Holy Judge
The Lamb Who is my righteousness
The Lamb Who is my righteousness

I will glory in my Redeemer
My life He bought, my love He owns
I have no longings for another
I’m satisfied in Him alone
I will glory in my Redeemer
His faithfulness my standing place
Though foes are mighty and rush upon me
My feet are firm, held by His grace
My feet are firm, held by His grace

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who carries me on eagle’s wings
He crowns my life with lovingkindness
His triumph song I’ll ever sing
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who waits for me at gates of gold
And when He calls me it will be paradise
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold

The Foundation of our States...

President Barak Obama recently said, "We do not consider ourselves a Christina nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideas and a set of values."

Do WHAT????

Alabama 1901, Preamble We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..
Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State o f Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the St ate of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble.. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..
Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We..the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution...
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ..
Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..
New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...
North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God,=2 0in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance....
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ...
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ..
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...
Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...

It seems to me we have MAJORLY forgotten our heritage and who has brought us to the point we are at. May we all seek HIS face.