We wish you could meet Jack.
Jack enlisted in the military after high school and was sent
overseas to serve in the Middle East. Upon his return, Jack settled in Terre
Haute to complete his nursing degree. He initially came to Ryves Youth Center (a
program center for Catholic Charities in Terre Haute) as a volunteer through
the Indiana State University’s Martin Luther King Day, and that one day of
service soon turned into an on-going relationship. It was clear that Jack had
spent time in the military – he was quiet but seemed to enjoy our young
preschoolers, and they him. Jack came to see the preschool kids several times
each week and even interned at Ryves during his senior year.
Not long after his graduation, Jack returned to active duty
and was stationed at a hospital in San Antonio, Texas. But, the children at
Ryves remain firmly planted in Jack’s heart. We have been blessed to receive
letters from Jack, and we’d like to share a brief excerpt from one of those
letters:
“Since I don’t have any children of my own, I guess I ended
up sort of adopting the children [at Ryves] into my own heart…Often, even
though I was trying to help them and teach them something, I felt as if it was they
who were teaching me.”
Today, we celebrate not only our nation’s birth and freedom,
but men like Jack. Jack is an excellent role model for the children at Ryves – living
by his Christian values and displaying the character that our children need to
grow up into a positive adult.
Men like Jack are the reason we celebrate this county as the
land of the free and the home of the brave. We thank you, Jack, for not only
your service to our country but also for living a life that truly displays love
for others in a meaningful way.
May you have a Happy 4th of July!
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