Well, in the past few days, our families have said goodbye to two incredible individuals. Please allow me the opportunity to share something about them. These men were not simply fathers, husbands, brothers, and friends. They were examples, role models, standards, living illustrations for the rest of us. Their love of God, family, and community were the things that drove them. With over 120 years of marriage combined, their devotion and love endured throughout their lives. The underlying character that guided them was one of sacrifice. They knew that to give of themselves was the greatest gift they had. Each of them strived to help others, to teach others, and to support others.

They were driven by the guiding principles which our generations are struggling with. Their generation saw these principles as unwavering. They weren’t things to pick and choose, but things to hold dear and cherish. I am not singling out our youth, I’m encouraging them to look to this generation and learn from their legacy. I think it is possible that the next generations are searching for these very principles which if found can guide them to a stronger more secure future. I saw in these men the things that can turn around a trend that has us spiraling out of control. I saw in these men the ideals and traits that can save the next generation just as it did theirs. They struggled, scrapped, worked, fought, and loved to save their families, country and so much more.

I hope to honor these two men as I live on. These aren’t the only men who possess these characteristics, but they are two who have displayed them with honor and integrity. Serving country, raising families, supporting their church are all attributes which guided them. Please consider this… never did “self” enter their equation. The generation they represent is one we can learn much from. Hope drives us to look for ways that our next generations will find similar characteristics as desirable and worthy of re-visiting.

Thank you for allowing me to use this venue to honor them. They were fantastic husbands, fathers, brothers and friends. But more, they were living examples for how to live a life for God, family and community. Thank you for that example, Joseph L. Hendricks, Jr. and William J. Evans, Jr. God’s speed. If you have members of this generation still living, cherish them. But if you can, spend some time with them, inquire of them, learn from them. They have much to share, worthy of our attention.