National chaplain: ‘God is calling you to be the one’

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then said I, ‘Here am I; send me.’”

-       Isaiah 6:8

An Old Testament prophet’s response to God’s call to service in a troubled time was referenced by National Chaplain Frank Carr during Sunday’s Patriotic Memorial Service at the 105th American Legion National Convention in New Orleans.

And as the service flowed – buoyed by passionate gospel music, wreath placings for fallen heroes and the lighting of a candle for POW/MIAs by 2024 American Legion Boys Nation President Morgan Johnson – Isaiah’s commitment was connected to a more current American Legion message.

“God is calling you to be the one today, to go for Him, because there are veterans out there that are on the edge of life today, going through many troubles in their life,” Rev. Carr told thousands who gathered for the service at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. “You are the one that can pull them back from that edge. Will you go and serve for God, what God has asked us to do?”

And while The American Legion’s national Be the One mission inspires Legionnaires to prevent veteran suicide, one at a time, the message can apply more broadly to the organization’s other missions. “There’s a boy, or there’s a girl out there, that need a mentor, a young group that need a coach, or just someone to drive the bus. Will you be the one to go for God?”

He said other American Legion posts or civic organizations may need an individual member’s assistance. “Go,” Rev. Carr said. “God has a reason for sending you there. You might not see it now, but there’s a blessing for you if you go.”

Those asked to step forward – whether it’s suicide prevention or volunteering to cut the grass at a neighboring post – need to answer the call even if they don’t see the “why. You might not know why. You are there at the beginning. But I’m here to tell you God is going to do a slingshot move in your life, like no other move you’ve ever had in your life. God is pulling you back like a slingshot today to shoot you into your destiny.”

He said “the need is greater than ever today, for us to go. He is asking every day, ‘Who can I send? Who will go for us?’ Will you be the one to say, ‘Here I am, Lord. I will be the one. Send me.’”

The memorial service involved the entire American Legion Family. American Legion Auxiliary National Chaplain Brister Thomas of Hawaii offered a prayer that drew from the overall message of the morning: “As we pray in the spirit of Isaiah’s vision, we stand as one Legion Family, declaring with humble hearts, ‘Here I am; send me.’ We aspire to be the ones to answer the call. And as we lift our voices to say, ‘Send me,’ we honor the lives of those who served and protected our nation. Their courage and sacrifice are why we are free today.”

American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer and National Adjutant Rodney Rolland presented a wreath for those who made the ultimate sacrifice, followed by American Legion Auxiliary National President Lisa Williamson and National Secretary Kathy Daudistel, who did the same. Sons of The American Legion National Commander Donald “J.R.” Hall joined SAL National Adjutant Anthony Wright in presenting the third memorial wreath.

Joyful & the Spirit of New Orleans Chorus performed a rendition of “Amazing Grace” that drew bursts of applause from the crowd, as did the closing number, “When the Saints Go Marching In.”