Jeff Blaine, pastor of Sheridan Christian Church, told the story Monday of a man, Donald Ballard, who went to Vietnam, fell on a grenade, and lived to tell about it. Currently, there are only 64 people alive today who received a Congressional Medal of Honor.
Ballard was from Kansas City and joined the Navy at first, but became a medic. His job was to treat wounded people. In May 1968, Ballard and his unit were operating in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). He was already busy that day treating people because it was hot, and two people had already been evacuated.
All of a sudden, his unit became the victim of a massive ambush from the North Vietnamese. They cut their squad in half and it was so chaotic that both halves were firing on each other, thinking they were being fired on by the enemy. Ballard was doing his job, treating people. He and four men were bearing an injured Marine when a North Vietnamese soldier came out of nowhere and threw a grenade. Ballard shouted a warning and jumped on the grenade, planning to sacrifice himself so the other men could live. But as time passed, he realized that the grenade was a dud, so he went on treating wounded soldiers. For this, he received a Congressional Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor citation stated that Ballard’s heroic actions and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow Marines. The citation stated that his courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty represented the finest traditions of the US Naval Service.
Ballard later was wounded and received a Purple Heart. He later served in the National Guard. Blaine said that Jesus took the spiritual grenade for us and challenged people to accept his gift of mercy.
Alex Rowen on guitar along with Denise, Abigail, and Gabriella Rowen led the people in singing patriotic hymns. Debbie Thummel played “Taps.”
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