Memorial service salutes “proven character”

American Legion National Chaplain Daniel “Mark” Antal of North Dakota reached into the Old Testament Sunday for a lesson on the unique camaraderie that takes shape among warriors. Then he turned to his left and pointed to paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division’s All-American Chorus. Along the way, he connected them to members of the American Legion Family, applying on one term to all of them: “proven character.”

At the Patriotic Memorial Service of the 104th American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., thousands heard the soldiers sing, the chaplain reflect on the bond between future King of Israel David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel and the American Legion Family’s commitment to care for one another.

To illustrate his point, Antal referenced the Legion’s Be the One initiative to reach out to veterans in an effort to reduce the suicide rate among those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“One of the best things that I have seen happen in The American Legion is the Be the One program,” Antal told the crowd. “Lives are being changed because of you, because of you reaching out to be the one. We must continue to stand with our fellow Legionnaires. We must continue to reach out to all veterans and to their families. We have what it takes to bring people back to remembrance of what life is really all about.”

The 82nd Airborne Chorus delighted attendees with a cappella renditions of “Proud to Be an American” and “An Honor to Serve.” During the service, American Legion National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola stepped to the podium and announced to the crowd: “Meet the newest members of The American Legion!” The crowd roared with approval.

In his scriptural reference, Antal told of David’s courage and faith when he stood up to defeat Goliath. “First of all, we see proven character. David – a young shepherd boy – was in charge of his family’s flocks. We know the story of David, as he comes to the battlefront, and David hears the voice of a 9-foot man … here was Goliath. David, out of all the men of Israel, said, ‘I’m going to go, and I’m going to face this giant… David was a tremendous warrior, of proven character.”

Jonathan and David, rivals to become king of Israel, formed a bond built on mutual respect and a promise to protect one another’s families regardless of the outcome.  “Their hearts were knit together, the Bible tells us,” Antal said. “There was brotherhood. Jonathan gave David a new set of clothes, clothes that were worthy of a prince, and he gave him his weapons. He gave him respect.”

Their promise and integrity are mirrored in the spirit of The American Legion Family, Antal explained. “We are gathered with men and women of proven character. You’ve already proven it by faithful service not only in the military but as spouses who have stood by and watched your family leave. There is proven character.”

And that kind of character is oblivious to rank or royal lineage, he suggested. “We are encouraged to be people who show respect for each other. One of the things I so love about The American Legion is that we do not wear our rank. We do not call each other by rank but as fellow comrades, as fellow Legionnaires, as brothers and sisters, and we stand together. We stand united. We need one another, and respect is given.”

And, he said, it’s about the kind of promise David kept to Jonathan after Jonathan’s death in battle. “Today, as Legionnaires, we keep our promises to fellow veterans. In 1919, we gathered because we didn’t want to lose what we had brought together on the battlefield … and what our families needed to see. We are keeping those promises.

“The same God who worked in the lives of Jonathan and David is the same God that works in you.”