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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2021CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Join us for a community celebration of our freedoms.
F R E E D O M I S N ’T F R E E P O I N T M A N M I N I S T R I E S2 3
Our Constitution holds clear that “freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” is a right of all of our American citizens. However, the defense of this right has come at a steep price. The Freedom Isn’t Free event celebrates and recognizes the commitment, dedication and sacrifices made by the millions of men and women who have selflessly answered the call to protect and defend our way of life.
Freedom Isn’t Free is a free community event for the entire Tri-state area. Let’s come together as a community to recharge our pride in our veterans and celebrate our freedoms.
This is a unique opportunity to meet a Medal of Honor recipient, only 69 of which are alive today. Every person, young and old, should hear SFC Sammy L. Davis speak to understand what it means to be willing to give your life for others and to dedicate your life to serving others.
Major Jeff Struecker, whose heroism and faith are featured in the book and film Black Hawk Down, will be the keynote speaker during the VIP brunch. This servant leader will describe how his faith, training and leadership have served him in life or death situations over 21 years in the Army as well as during his time as a pastor at his church in Columbus, GA.
In order to emphasize our veterans’ sacrifice, there will be 1,700 flags flying on the Crossroads, Evansville Christian School, and Epworth UMC campuses starting on Friday afternoon, October 29th.
*Programs listed in the agenda in red are free to the public. For information on purchasing a table for the VIP brunch, email Dan Oates at [email protected].
Speak with these servant leaders and purchase
personally autographed copies of their books:
SFC SAMMY L. DAVIS
You Don’t Lose ‘Til You Quit TryingEndless Love and Second Chances
MAJOR JEFF STRUECKER
The Road to UnafraidFallen AngelCertain JeopardyBlaze of Glory
RESOURCE FAIR WITH LOCAL VETERAN SUPPORT GROUPS
VIP BRUNCH*
MEET AND GREET KEYNOTE SPEAKER: MAJ. JEFF STRUECKER
BREAK
MAIN PROGRAM WITH SFC SAMMY L. DAVIS AND FREEDOM CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA
SPEAKER BOOK SALES AND RESOURCE FAIR CONTINUES
9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
10:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
point man ministries will be celebrating our freedoms
and honoring the service of our veterans with the
Freedom Isn’t Free celebration.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30TH | CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN CHURCH
FREEDOM ISN’T FREE PROGRAM AGENDA
F R E E D O M I S N ’T F R E E P O I N T M A N M I N I S T R I E S4 5
V I P B R U N C H | K E Y N O T E S P E A K E R MAJOR JEFF STRUECKER
Major Jeff Struecker enlisted in the Army in September 1987 at the age of 18 as Infantryman and retired as a Chaplain with over 22 years of active federal service. Struecker served 13 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment in positions ranging from Private to Platoon Sergeant. While serving in this unit, he competed in and won the David L. Grange Best Ranger Competition in 1996. He taught ROTC at the University of Louisville and was recognized in 1998 as the U.S. Army ROTC Noncommissioned Officer of the year.
In the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, Struecker was a 24-year-old Sergeant and squad leader assigned to Task Force Ranger as a part of the 75th Ranger Regiment. As immortalized in the book and film Black Hawk Down, he led a three-vehicle convoy under intense fire and returned wounded Private First Class Todd Blackburn to base. In the film, Struecker is portrayed by Brian Van Holt.
After his enlisted service ended in April 2000, Struecker went on to graduate from seminary and became commissioned as a Chaplain and served multiple tours in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. Struecker’s final military assignment was Chaplain with the Regimental Special Troops Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Struecker retired from active military service in January 2011. Immediately following his retirement from the military, Struecker joined the staff of Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia and became its lead pastor in April 2014. In July 2019, he founded the 2 Cities Church. He holds a Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He also has several other earned and honorary degrees.
His long list of awards include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutists Wings, Military Freefall Master Parachutist Wings, Ranger Tab, several foreign jump wings and the Combat Action Badge. Struecker was twice awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor in combat, which is the fourth highest military decoration for valor. He was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal five times for combat action and once for non-combat performance. In 2017, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.
He is an award-winning author with five books in print. He and his wife, Dawn, have five children and three grandchildren.
“What men need to realize is the opposite side of fear is not courage. The opposite side of fear is faith.”—jeff struecker
F R E E D O M I S N ’T F R E E P O I N T M A N M I N I S T R I E S6 7
M A I N S P E A K E R SFC SAMMY L. DAVIS
The life of Sergeant First Class (SFC) Sammy L. Davis symbolizes heroism, leadership, and commitment to the principles of protecting the freedoms that all Americans cherish. The guiding principles of SFC Davis’ life are outlined in his book, You Don’t Lose ‘Til You Quit Trying, which were ingrained in him as a young boy. These principles, plus his determination, allowed him to triumph over overwhelming adversity during his involvement in the Vietnam War.
SFC Davis has ties to the Midwest. He first lived in Poseyville, IN and then in West Salem, IL until middle school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in Indianapolis in 1965.
SFC Davis served in the U.S. Army from 1965 - 1984. On November 19, 1968, President Johnson awarded SFC Davis the Nation’s highest military honor for his selfless heroism while facing overwhelming enemy forces during the Vietnam War.
A year earlier, then Private First Class Davis was in the Mekong Delta on November 18 when his artillery unit of about 40 soldiers was overrun by 1,500 enemy troops. He fired on the advancing enemy with his M-16, M-60 machine gun, and a howitzer, which had been hit by enemy guns and set on fire. With a bullet in his leg, shrapnel wounds, and a fractured back, SFC Davis used an air mattress to make three trips to rescue wounded soldiers from across the canal that separated the enemy. SFC Davis refused medical attention and kept fighting until the fight was over. The entire battle lasted six hours.
SFC Sammy Davis is an excellent example of a servant leader who loves America and his fellow veterans. He has repeatedly demonstrated the sheer determination to overcome the hopeless obstacles in his life. Helping Vietnam veterans with Agent Orange became his passion after it almost killed him. He led the fight to get impacted veterans treatment. He lobbied and testified before Congress and was instrumental in getting the Agent Orange Act passed in 1991. Over 300,000 Vietnam veterans have died from the effects of Agent Orange diseases, and that is five times more than were lost in combat.
His notable military decorations include the Medal of Honor, which is the highest and most prestigious military decoration, awarded by the president for gallantry in action against U.S. enemies. He was also awarded the Silver Star, the third-highest military decoration for valor in combat, and a Purple Heart for combat injuries.
“Sergeant Davis’ extraordinary heroism, at the risk of his life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.”
—president lyndon b. johnson
MEETING ADDRESS Crossroads Christian Church
10800 Lincoln Ave.Newburgh, IN
Thank you to our generous anonymous donors.
TITLE SPONSOR CATERING DONATED BY
Point Man is a safe refuge for veterans and their families.
point man of newburgh would like to thank the
following sponsors for making this event possible:
