RIP - The Rev. Hal Marchman... Shalom and Amen

I just read on several websites that the Reverend, Hal Marchman has passed away.

In 1959, shortly after becoming the Pastor of a Baptist congregation in the Daytona Beach area, Rev. Hal Marchman was asked by his friend to say the invocation (opening prayer) at an upcoming event that the friend was hosting. The friend was Bill France Sr., founding member and President of NASCAR; The event was the 500-mile stock car race at the newly built Daytona International Speedway, an event now known as the innaugural Daytona 500.

Marchman said the prayer that day and continued saying the opening prayer at each year's Daytona 500 for 45 more years. Marchman retired from his role at the track after the 2004 Daytona 500. He had been fighting dementia and memory loss for several years, but a sudden bout of illness ended his life, according to his daughter Anne Marchman-Jones.

On a personal note: when I started watching NASCAR, we began the tradition of standing up for the prayer at the beginning of each race, even though we were watching at home. Over time, there have been many men that have said many prayers before the start of the many races I've seen. The only one who stands out to me is Rev. Hal Marchman. I feel honored to have been in attendance for his final time saying the invocation.

Memorably, he closed every Daytona 500 invocation with a word of peace for those in the Jewish community. Why, I'm not sure. Regardless, I feel that it is only fitting to close the blog the same way...

God, I ask that you would be with the family of Hal Marchman. I ask that you grant them peace and comfort in this time of grief. I thank you for Hal's life and for all the work you did through him. May his life story ever be a testimony to your glory. In Jesus' name I pray...
SHALOM AND AMEN


Rest in Peace
The Reverend - Hal Marchman
1919-2009

A Tiny Tribute to a Great Fictional American (24 Spoilers, CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!)

Out of respect for those of you who may read my blog and happen to be a fan of 24, this post will contain spoilers on last nights episode. If you do not want to know anything about what happened then PLEASE DO NOT CONTINUE....
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At 8:11 PM (24-Time), the clock ran silent for Bill Buchanan.

Since season 4 Bill has been serving his country on screen and his death on the show is a huge loss for Jack, the fictional USA, and the fanbase.

R.I.P. Bill Buchanan.

Season 4, Episode 15 - Season 7, Episode 13

9/11: Today We Remember and We Shall Never Forget

Seven years ago today our nation and her citizens were attacked by radical Muslim terrorists in New York City, Washington D.C. and Somerset County, PA.

Nearly 3000 people were killed and over 6200 people were injured. I pray that God will comfort those who still grieve the loss of their loved ones.

Everything happens for a reason, and I know that while we may never see it in this lifetime, God has and will be glorified in light of and through the tragic events of that day.

May God bless the victims who survived, the families of the victims who did not, and may God continue to bless America.

In all things to God be the glory.


**Edit**
My 9/11 Story:

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I got up and went to school as I had the day before. It was the early days of my senior year at Word of Life Christian Academy. A little bit after 9:30 AM, as I sat at my desk, I noticed my teacher and several of my classmates acting sorta weird. These classmates were relatives of my teacher. They had looks of worry and fear on their faces. I took it upon myself to ask the teacher what was going on. She told me that everything was fine and to go back to my desk. I knew that she was feeding me a line of shit (no offense Mrs. Cadzow, I still love ya!).

After another 15 minutes passed I got up and told the teacher that I wanted to see my Mom, who was working in the kitchen to prepare lunches. On my way out, a different teacher stopped me crying and asked me if I was coming to the principal's office to pray. I asked her what was going on. She told me that people were ramming jets into buildings and that they had hit the World Trade Center towers. At the time, I wasn't even sure what the WTC towers looked like. She also said that the Pentagon had been hit and the White House could be next. We went to the principal's office where every staff member (all 10 of them) was huddled around the radio waiting for the newest CBS News Alert. After that we all paused and and prayed for God's protection and grace.

My Mom and I left at about 10:30 AM to go home and be with my Dad and Ms. Sandy (a lady who lived with us at the time). The rest of the day was spent in shock, horror, sadness, disbelief, and towards the end, being pissed off as I sat and watched these events unfold.

Last October, I had the pleasure of visiting the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum. While looking at many items of historical significance, I noticed an old-looking, rusty piece of steel on a stand in a corner. I wasn't really interested in it at first, but my brother says "Hey, what is that?" as he points to the object. I walked over and only after reading the tag under it did I realize that I was looking at a piece of I-beam from one of the WTC towers. I was in awe and somewhat reverent of this piece of national history and horror that was my generations "Day of Infamy." I leave you today with a photo of that very piece of American history.

The Benoit Family Tragedy (UPDATED 6/27)

Yesterday afternoon, Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their only child together Daniel were found dead in their Georgia home. Cause of death has yet to be determined although their is no one outside of the home being suspected.

Before the grizzly details of this tragic tale come out later today and in the coming weeks, I want to make it known that I love and cherish the memory of Chris Benoit. What happened at the horrid end could put Chris in a bad light, and there is nothing right about murder under any circumstances, but I will remember the Chris Benoit who entertained me for ten plus years and the person who showed more intensity in the ring and respect for the "sport" outside the ring more than almost anyone else ever. He was a true champion in the wrestling business. He earned everything he ever got.

I have been up for over twenty four hours and have been very upset about this whole story, but I will update this blog entry later with some memories of the Chris Benoit his fans loved and cheered for along with some of the hard theological truths God is teaching me throughout this most saddening event.

Till then, pray for Chris Benoit's family, including his two children from a previous marriage and also pray for any family Nancy had. God Bless The Benoit Family...

Pray for the best,
H (9:37 AM, 6/26/07)


It is now about 1:30 AM (6/27) and the details I am reading of the Benoit family deaths are even more sick and twisted than I could have imagined. Until another day or two has passed I am holding off on blogging about the tragic side of this story. I am changing the title of this blog and making a new post to celebrate the career of Chris Benoit. Once I am ready to discuss my feelings on the real life tragedy I will delete this post and replace it with a new one.

Continue to pray for Chris and Nancy's respective families as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.

(1:54, 6/27/07)

Remembering "The Golden Boy"

Remembering:

"The Golden Boy"
Arnold Skaaland
January 21, 1925 - March 13, 2007

As a wrestler, Arnold Skaaland was fearless, taking on much larger men, and always giving them a fight. In 1967, he and Spiros Arion won the old WWE United States Tag Team Championship.

Another generation of fans remember Skaaland as a manager, regularly accompanying Bruno Sammartino to the ring during both of his WWE Championship runs. He also performed the same task for Bob Backlund during his reign as champion.

Skaaland was a legend in all facets of sports-entertainment, and in 1994, he became a member of the first full class inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

"The Golden Boy" Arnold Skaaland, WWE Hall of Famer and a member of the WWE family for over 50 years, passed away March 13, 2007. He was 82.

"Bad News" and the "Big Cat"

The year 2007 is not yet three months old and the wrestling world has lost four of it's past stars in the past 2 months and 12 days; Two of those in the last seven....

Bad News Brown (Allen J. Coage)
October 22, 1943 - March 6, 2007

Bad News Brown was a WWE superstar in the mid-to-late 80s. His tough no-nonsense attitude made him a tough competitor in the squared-circle for guys like Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and Roddy Piper. Although he never had much success as far as titles go, he certainly left his mark on the industry. He was one of the more memorable African American wrestlers in the WWE at the time. Bad News passed away last Tuesday morning as a result of a heart attack. He was 63.


"The Big Cat" Ernie Ladd
November 28, 1938 - March 10, 2007

Ernie Ladd played professional football from 1961 till 1968 for such teams as the San Diego Chargers, the Houston Oilers, and the Kansas City Chiefs. Ladd has been honored for his grid-iron accomplishments by being inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the San Diego Hall of Champions.

Ladd became "The Big Cat" when he started his journey into the realm of professional wrestling in the early 1960s. In a career that lasted nearly twenty-five years, Ladd faced some of the wrestling world's greatest champions. A list of his opponents would include Lou Thesz, Bruno Sammartino, Gene Kiniski, Andre the Giant, Dusty Rhodes, The Sheik, and Dick the Bruiser. Ladd hung up the boots in 1984 when knee injuries forced him into retirement.

Despite never winning a major World Heavyweight Title, Ernie Ladd held at least 18 championships in various wrestling promotions all over North America. This can be viewed as quite an accomplishment for a man of color in the racial environment of the 1960s and 1970s. Ladd was without a doubt a pioneer for African Americans in the world of professional wrestling.

In 1994 and 1995, "The Big Cat" was honored for his in ring accomplishments when he was inducted into the World Championship Wrestling Hall of Fame and the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame respectively. He was the first person to be inducted into both prestigious Halls.

Since 2004, Ladd had battled cancer-first in his colon, then late in his stomach and bones. On March 10, 2007, Ernie Ladd passed away due to his long bout with cancer. He was 68.