Monday, July 4, 2016



In God We Trust

Definition of capitulate:
  • to stop fighting an enemy or opponent
  • to admit that an enemy or opponent has won
  • to stop trying to fight or resist something
  • to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing
  • to negotiate
  • to surrender often after negotiation of terms
  • to cease resisting

Do you know the story behind our National Anthem? Setting: the War of 1812. The British had defeated Washington and had their next goal set on Baltimore. 4500 British Troops on the ground approached Baltimore as the British Navy launched a ferocious 25 hour bombing of Ft. McHenry.

But there was a way out given by the British! It was an ultimatum: Capitulate and lay down the colors of the Flag you love or Ft. McHenry will be removed from the face of the earth. The shelling would stop immediately upon the lowering of the Flag; that would be the sign of surrender.

There were hundreds of ships in the British Naval Fleet. It was an impossible situation and there was no hope for victory but trust in God! And that’s exactly the path the Americans chose. Hour after hour the Flag on Ft. McHenry’s rampart withstood direct hits. How could that Flag still be standing? All night American prisoners of war were in the bottom of the ship praying…praying specifically that the Flag would remain flying. At dawn it was clear that the Flag, although in shreds but at the top of a tilted Flagpole, was still standing! While suffering repetitious direct hits all night long, when the Flagpole would start to fall, the brave Patriots, knowing full well that all the British guns were pointed directly at the Flag, held it up themselves…with their bodies…until they died. Their bodies were removed and others took their place. What held that Flagpole at that unusual angle were Patriots’ bodies.

George Washington said: “The thing that sets the American Christian apart from all other people in the world is he will die on his feet before he will live on his knees!”

Today, in 2016, we Americans must Take A Stand! The Stand is NONCAPITULATION! This country was founded upon GOD! The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! There is no other God but Him. The Mayflower Compact states:

IN The Name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honor of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. In WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth and of Scotland, the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620


So much for the separation of Church and State!

In the second half of 2015 to this day, Law Enforcement and other Responders are leading the way in Taking A Stand of NONCAPITULATION to the political correctness, to the demands of the ACLU, the FFRF, and other organizations, as well as to those atheists who want to steal the very Christian Patriotic Foundations of this country out from under us. Sheriff after Sheriff, Police Chief after Police Chief, Constable after Constable, and even Mayor after Mayor throughout the U.S. are identifying themselves as true Patriots and Taking A Stand for God and our National Motto by putting “In God We Trust” on their Department and/or city vehicles.


Operation Safety 91 is supporting Law Enforcement and these other Responders and Officials as they boldly and bravely lead the way in this ever growing “In God We Trust” Movement. OS91 has made a 3” x 5” “In God We Trust” thin blue line, car window decal and we ask you to Take A Stand for God and our National Motto with us! Put this decal on your vehicle window, resisting the opposition, not negotiating, not capitulating! Together we need to fight this battle against godlessness until this country again belongs to God! 

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

6th Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders


500 attend OS91's 6th Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders

Operation Safety 91's 6th Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders was held on February 28, 2014 at the beautiful Rosen Centre on International Drive in Orlando, Florida. This free deluxe Luncheon as always honored all Responder disciplines but this year we had special recognition of the Military. This perfectly coincided with the 20th Anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu, which was led by Army Ranger Ground Commander COL Danny McKnight, OS91's National Spokesperson. FOX News covered the Event. 
theRealSolidersBehindBlackHawkDown5
theRealSolidersBehindBlackHawkDown5
https://vimeo.com/91441184


Presentation of Flag to COL Danny McKnight
To honor the memory of the 17 men he lost during battle, COL McKnight read their names as a Flag was folded in solemn ceremony and then presented to him. Keynote speaker was Major (Ret.) Jeff Struecker who, during the chaotic Battle of Mogadishu on October 3 and 4, 1993, showed himself to be a stalwart warrior and courageous leader. He led a 3 vehicle convoy through the dangerous enemy filled streets to rescue and evacuate a seriously wounded Ranger who had fallen 40 feet while fast roping from a Black Hawk Helicopter during the insertion of forces, depicted in the famous Movie, "Black Hawk Down".  He also participated in the 1989 invasion of Panama and in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. Jeff is now a Pastor of a Church and an author. View this short teaser which will give you a taste of what these heroes went through in the Battle of Mogadishu. Return to Mogadishu

                                             
During the Memorial, the wonderful Rosie O'Grady Bagpipers, 10 in all, filled the Ballroom with a powerful rendition of Amazing Grace. 



This year for the very first time OS91 invited specially selected local JROTC and Police and Fire Explorers to the Event, along with Students from Tangelo Park, to expose them to true Heroes, and to the noble Responder professions and our local Responder Heroes.                           
 Our Emcee was Tony Mainolfi, 
Chief Meteorologist of WESH 2 News

Keynote Speaker MAJ Jeff Struecker, U.S. Army (Ret.)
of "Black Hawk Down" with COL Danny McKnight


Lieutenant Colonel Catherine Marie Jacobs-Black, U.S. Army
with Mary
A three year dream came true for Mary at this 6th Annual Tribute. Lieutenant Colonel Catherine Marie Jacobs Black came to Orlando specifically to give her Psalm 91 testimonies. 

Music before and during the Event provided by 
By Your Side Ministries
Another dream come true was the music for the 6th Annual Tribute, so generously donated by Dave Gillum and Rebecca Martin with several singers and tech personnel of "By Your Side Ministries". The Event culminated with A Salute to the Armed Forces" from Homeland. Amazing!
Viera High School Honor Guard 
An outstanding and solemn Ceremony of the Missing Warrior Table was presented by Viera High School Honor Guard followed later in the Tribute by the Presentation of the Colors by Orlando Naval Reserve Color Guard. 

Orlando Naval Reserve Color Guard

 Longwood Police and three of their Explorers


Marines from Orlando Reserve Center

All Responders present were treated to a deluxe luncheon through the partnership of many businesses, organizations, churches, schools, and individuals. OS91 particularly thanks our Gold Sponsors: Rosen Hotels and COL Danny McKnight. Also our heartfelt gratitude goes to the following who generously supported the Event by sponsoring a Table:

Baldwin Fairchild
Bichler, Kelley, Oliver & Longo, PLLC
Billy Donovan
Christ Family Church
Florida East Coast Industries
Gary and Nancy Ayers
High Point Christian Center
New Hope Christian Academy
Orlando Police Department
SeaWorld
Star & Shield Group
St. James Christian Academy

Thursday, March 27, 2014

OS91 attends Funeral of Windermere Police Officer Robert German

Windermere PD on stage at Officer German's Funeral

OS91 joined thousands who attended the Funeral Service of Windermere Police Officer Robert "Robbie" German this morning at Northland Church in Longwood, FL. Thirty-one year old Officer Robbie, now a local hero, was killed in the line of duty on March 22. His Chief, his father, and his friends paid tribute to this outstanding young man during the Service. Outside the Church, people lined the streets with signs and we even saw 2 billboards honoring this fine young man. Thank you Officer German for your courageous service. "Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jn 15:13.



Monday, March 24, 2014

OS91 welcomes Honor Flight home to Orlando

Clermont Fire Department joins OS91 to greet Honor Flight

Clermont Police Department joins OS91 to greet Honor Flight

Operation Safety 91 was so honored to partner with Clermont Fire and Police representatives on Saturday night to welcome COL Danny and Linda McKnight accompanying an Honor Flight back home to Orlando International Airport. We were among a nice turnout of patriotic Central Floridians who came out specially to honor these heroes of World War II. To say that these Veterans, both men and women, were touched is an understatement. When they appeared at the end of the walkway, a Police Escort took the lead with flashing lights, and applause broke out from all sides. Our very own COL Danny and Linda McKnight took the lead. each escorting a Veteran in a wheelchair, entering the Lobby of the Terminal A in triumph. A runner up in American Idol, delayed flight after flight that day, took out his guitar and sang to the heroes. It surely was one inspiring evening! 
Linda McKnight posing with her Veteran

Our dear COL McKnight serving as partner to this Vet

Saturday, February 8, 2014

OS91 invited to WGFD Centennial Celebration

 WGFD 100th Anniversary Dinner in Tanner Hall 

OS91 was honored and thanks Fire Chief John Williamson and Deputy Chief Matt McGrew for inviting us to Winter Garden Fire Department's Centennial Celebration tonight here in Tanner Hall. What a wonderful dinner! And such a great family time with all our family of Winter Garden Firefighters! Thank you so much for including OS91 in your celebration!

Former Chiefs and Elena Martinez, widow of former WG
Firefighter Omar Martinez, receive special commemorative badge

Chief Williamson with WG Firefighters

Father and son with the same Firefighter calling

Thursday, January 16, 2014

A Letter From An Iraq Vet Who Found The Answer to Suicide!

Dear Peggy Joyce and Mary,

Below is a letter to our Military Prayer Group written by a 22 year old Iraq vet. He is now in Army Reserves, he leads our prayer group weekly, and he is, frankly, an amazing young man.  When the 3 moms (including myself) started this group, we prayed for a military man to come forward and take the lead. Of course, our thought was that an experienced, older gentleman would step up.  But God had a younger man in mind and after just a few weeks, we handed him the prayer 
lead... God Bless you both for your sincere and wonderful help in reaching others that you'll only meet in heaven. The letter below is long, but worth the read.

Sincerely,

Andrea Lanning
Calvary Chapel Boise, Idaho

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 
January 10, 2014 
Dear Friends, This is a letter of reminder and encouragement, and I tell my military testimony on the next pages. But first, I was reminded the other night, while we were praying, of the raw power of prayer. We were reading the Psalm 91 book like we do every Monday night during the Military Prayer Group and God used chapter 17 to open my eyes (Pgs 104-108). Chapter 17 is about prayer and, as you all know, prayer is the foundation and heart of this Military Prayer Ministry. We all know that God wants us to pray to Him and to come together in prayer for our own lives and the lives of others, but how sincerely do we really believe this?
I want to focus this letter on the importance of prayer, what it means and having a healthy prayer life. What we Christians seem to lack often times is prayer. Maybe you pray before meals and bed (as long as you're not too tired, of course), and during designated prayer times. That is good, don't get me wrong. I often ask myself, "But why don't I pray without ceasing?" There really is no excuse. Our prayers don't have to be in a certain format for God to delight in them nor do they need to be a certain length. He just wants us to pray to Him often. And trust me, the more you pray the more you grow. My father recently told me that he has been praying to God and "things seem to be falling into place." This is coming from the man who called himself the antichrist to his children and has had a very rough life. But when he finally decides to pray to God everything starts to work out for the first time. This is no coincidence. God tells us to pray for a reason. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing" (1Thes 5:16, 17)
There are many places in the Bible that tell us to always pray and to come together to pray for one another. However, I do not see this happening on a larger scale. Chapter 17 in the Psalm 91 book reminds us of a nationwide call for prayer by the President of the United States, Roosevelt, in 1942. Imagine a nation in prayer, what a beautiful site! Here in 2014 we are lucky to see churches come together to spend lengthy times in prayer at all. There seems to be a decline in prayer going on. So I would like to remind everyone of the importance of prayer. The Lord says that whoever asks shall receive and the only way that I know how to ask God for something is through prayer. People need prayer. This is why we have formed this group to pray for the military specifically. However, we must pray always for anyone and everyone that needs it. These prayer requests that come in daily are real people in need of real prayers. That is why we pray over them and for them.
It says in Revelation chapter seven that our prayers are in a golden bowl and are like incense to the Lord. He likes our prayers and He answers them. He wants you to spend some intimate time with Him, one on one and as a group. So pray with us daily in your own home or wherever you are; we need to join together in prayer for our military, for each other, and the daily battles we face. Moreover this is an encouragement to all of you! The prayers that have been said are working and moving mountains in people's lives. We see the direct result of your prayers for these military soldiers and families every day. So I encourage you to continue in prayer and to rejoice in the fact that God actually listens to us. There is a reason He is often called the Father. He wants what is best for us and like any good parent He wants us to ask for it properly. So God wants to give us comfort, peace, and the desires of our hearts. And He already has it for us, we need only ask. Moreover, He wants us to help others. That includes prayer for other people; sometimes all we can do is pray. We can be Christians all our lives and yet never tap into a real prayer life the way God intends us to. "Lord, teach us how to pray." (Lk 11; 1)
I would like to share my personal experience with prayer while I was in Iraq in 2010. I hope this will shine some light on the vitality of prayer that I have found in my own life.
In Iraq I was fortunate enough to have a team leader, an Army Sgt E5 that led a very spiritual life; he was 36 years old and was my first real Christian teacher. He would discuss the Bible with me and we would pray often. He taught me how to be bold as a Christian and not worry about the other soldiers that were trashing on us about our faith because they were the ones missing out.
We landed in Iraq for an 11 month deployment doing route clearance (finding IEDs). I was 19 years old and not ready for this. We started a small prayer circle before every mission which consisted of a few of us believers. We didn't care about what religion we were; we just knew we needed prayer and protection from above. We prayed together every night, and every night mortars fell down around our base like clockwork for 11 months. Yet our company never lost a soldier to mortars. Over time, the prayer group had grown significantly. One night before a mission we prayed for protection and sharp eyes. Immediately after we finished our prayer we heard the mortar alarm and a mortar landed just 10 feet from one member of our prayer group and about 30 feet from everyone else. It did not explode as it spun on the asphalt like a child's toy top.
Our teams were not without danger. We were hit with IEDs and yet not one soldier in our company fell victim to one of them. My truck drove past a nasty EFP (explosively fired projectile) that was meant to rip through our vehicle with molten copper at 10,000 feet per second triggered with a motion heat sensor. Miraculously, it did not go off - it had been buried a little too deep. As we investigated it, we accidentally disconnected it - just as we moved the dirt off the motion detector. During my time in Iraq, no soldier in our company was shot during contact with the enemy and no one was killed in action.
I could not deny what the power of constant prayer, every day, every night, and every moment on the battlefield had done for us. It was plain as day and many other soldiers saw it as well and joined our prayer group before missions. When we finally got back to the US we rejoiced and then we each went home to our families, to our lives, and I stopped praying - and started drinking. Many of us turned to the bottle when we got home. It was here, in the US, that the deaths started. Close friends that had given their lives to Christ, we lost to suicide. It was New Years Eve 2011 when I tried to commit suicide for the first time but failed. I could not do it; something was keeping me from doing what I wanted so badly. It was God. However, it wasn't after that failure that I saw my need for God. In fact the next New Years Eve 2012 I tried to commit suicide once more and failed. But it wasn't after that either.
It was at M---'s funeral here in Boise. I remember standing in the cold January snow looking sharp and brilliant in my dress uniform, though I felt a great emptiness inside. I felt like my uniform was dirty with his blood. I was one of the soldiers to fire off three shots during the 21 gun salute to our fallen brother. I think it was the cold of the rifle I held in that moment or the smell of gunpowder combined with the sorrowful tears of his family that reached into my soul. I was reminded of how God had saved us in Iraq when we prayed every day and when we got home the prayers ceased, and the deaths began. When my first buddy, Carr, had committed suicide it didn't sink in; it took the second funeral of one of my fellow soldiers, M---, to remind me of the power of God. I felt so guilty and somewhat responsible because I had done nothing to help them. I had no idea they were struggling so badly but I knew I should have known.  Since coming home in 2010, five of the guys in my company have killed themselves.
It was after M---'s funeral in 2013 that I decided to do something about the hurting soldiers and the only way I knew to do that was to pray. I decided to celebrate the life that God has given me and use it for good. I straightened myself up, turned back to God, let Him fill me with the Holy Spirit once more and started really fighting for my life. Jesus is my commander now. Since I came back to the Lord my life has changed in more ways than I could have imagined. This last New Years Eve of 2013 I spent with my wife, Candis, who is now pregnant with our twin babies. We are attending Ministry Discipleship School at Calvary Chapel Boise, I am the prayer leader at the weekly Military Prayer Group, and I have a job but need a better one. (I'm currently praying about that.) 
This is why the military ministry is so very close to my heart. This life is not easy, and we all need help to get through it. Jesus is the only way to be truly healed and set free. So join us in prayer for those in need and come to us for prayer if you need it, because we all do. The week of fasting and prayer that our church does is coming up and I encourage you all to participate and take the next step in prayer: To pray without ceasing. So let us continue in prayer and please join us if you can on Monday nights at Calvary. It is such a powerful thing to come together and pray to our God. We are all at war right now with the enemy but God has given us the weapons we need to face our enemies with courage and strength: Prayer, His Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. Join me in battle, "if our God is with us then who can stand against?" "Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand"... "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit..." Ephesians 6:13,18 
J. L., Army Reserves

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

OS91 attends Clergy Appreciation Breakfast

OS91 was invited to the Clergy Appreciation Breakfast this morning at the Altamonte Hilton Hotel in Altamonte Springs, FL. This wonderful Event cosponsored by Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Homes and Vitas Hospice Care was well attended by local Pastors/Chaplains. The Chaplains literally took hundreds and hundreds of Psalm 91 cards and books for their Responders! Thank you to Chaplain Mike Vidal of Orlando Police Department connecting us to Sally Kopke of Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Homes who extended an invitation to us  and who welcomed us with open arms!!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

OS91 attends Orange County Sheriffs Office Open House

OCSO Sheriff Jerry Demings with Ed

OS91 is located in Orange County, in sunny Florida and has had a wonderful relationship with our Sheriff Jerry Demings and Orange County Sheriffs Office for several years now. Sheriff Demings has honored us with his presence at the last four Annual Tribute Events with over 40 invitees from this very large Department. Today OS91 attended OCSO's Annual Open House here at OSCO headquarters in Orlando.   

OSCO Equine Division
We joined the crowd of attendees on this beautiful day here in Orlando, visiting as many Departments displayed on property as we could before our scheduled tour inside the Building. 

OCSO Armored Tank
OCSO is a Flagship Sheriffs Department; #1 in the U.S. thanks to the efforts of many, but especially our current Sheriff Demings and past Sheriff Kevin Beary, now a member of the Board of Directors of OS91.

OCSO Emergency Response Team
This Deputy warmly greeted us, having attended an Annual Tribute Event. When I offered him a Psalm 91 card he said, "I'm happy to have another one!"

OCSO Aviation Division
It was such a thrill to meet the Aviation Commander and get my picture at one of their helicopters! 

OCSO Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice
OCSO is a former Montgomery Ward Building. Ed and I got a grand tour. I was particularly touched at this display honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

 Sheriffs of Orange County through the years

OCSO Deputies currently serving overseas
Orange County Deputies currently serving Overseas are honored fittingly on this wall.

This F6B helps save the lives of our Responders
It was fascinating to watch a demo of the robotic camera which can replace man in entering danger zones.

Orange County Fire Rescue attended Open House
So today Ed and I got to do what we are so blessed to do: spend time with Responders, building relationships and spreading the Psalm 91 message. Thank you to all the brave men and women Deputies of Orange County Sheriffs Office and all our Responders for your service!


Thursday, October 3, 2013

OS91 at Citizens Night Out

Mary as Tower Truck Engineer

What fun! Citizens Night Out in Winter Garden the evening of Thursday, October 1st, OS91 joined the crowd at Fowlers Grove. Lots of Firefighters, Police, Law Enforcement, and SWAT. 

Friend of OS91, 
Apopka Police Chief Robert Manley
Of course we were able to give out many Psalm 91 cards to the Responders present...those who did not already have them. Above, Spopka Police Chief Robert Manley was so happy to receive "Your Shield and Buckler", a book on Psalm 91 by Officer Jorge Diaz.

Caesar, WGPD K9
Mary, pictured above, decided to forgo her usual hug when posing with Caesar, WGPD's attack dog!
"Dunk-A-Cop"
Lots of fun things to do interacting with our local Responders, like "Dunk-A-Cop". Also so much to see. SWAT, of course, is so close to our heart. We made sure they all got Psalm 91 cards. We appreciate our local Responders so much! 

Thursday, September 5, 2013

OS91 thanks CH Andrew Wade for 5 years of service

OPD Sr. Chaplain Andrew Wade with Ed and Mary

It was a time of saying Thank You to Orlando Police Department's Sr. Chaplain Andrew Wade for over 5 years of service to Operation Safety 91 today. This very special man has been with us since our inception and he is the very first person we went to visit before OS91 was even official. We three look back so fondly on that day, April 13, 2008,  when we met with CH Wade in his Office at Orlando Police Department. Upon hearing what we were about, said, "I'm totally on board!" His support, loyalty, and sacrifice for OS91 has been outstanding and unwavering. CH Wade, besides being our Founding Chaplain, was our very first Board Member. To show our appreciation, we presented CH Wade with a beautiful statue of Jesus embracing a Police Officer. 

Surprise!!!