Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Day 1 - Not Your Typical "Knight"




John Paul Matthews and Maria Williams met Mr. Knight for the first time on their flight to San Francisco


Ever since we got accepted to go on this trip to the Philippines, we’ve wondered who our veteran would be. Though we created expectations in our minds, we really had no idea what to expect. We have been more fortunate than other students because we met our veteran before departing from Dallas. From the “get-go” we were blown away by Mr. Ed Knight’s magnetic personality. He greeted us with a vibrant smile and wave that only close friends exchange. Immediately a friendship was struck, and within the few hours we’ve known him, we already feel like we’re in the presence of an old friend.

On our first flight we had a chance to discuss Mr. Knight's adventurous family, exciting life, and bold service to our country. When he told us about his life, his words inspired our imagination as we sat, anticipating his every word. His stories seemed so surreal. Without hesitation, he depicted the brutalities of war that he experienced.  As a medic, he had a first hand account of the cruelty of his enemy and the tragedy of the war. All these tales have furthered our appreciation and sense of indebtedness to this man’s life.

Our trip has just started and we already know so much about him! We look forward to the rest of the time we will have with our “Knight.”

John Paul Mathews and Maria Williams

6 comments:

  1. Thank you for letting us in on your incredible trip via this blog! My father, Ed Knight feels so honored and grateful to be part of this trip. We love him and look forward to hearing more.

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  2. Pam,
    Your father is such a great addition to this trip! He is a wonderful man and a great encouragement me. I was taking his picture on the bus today when we got to talking. I ending up sitting in the isle for almost an hour listen to him talk about his experience in the war, his life after the war, and his love for the Lord. Great, great man! I know you much be so proud of him!

    Jonathan Wahl
    Trip Photographer

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  3. Thank you to all for allowing my son to go and participate in this historic moment. The knowledge and appreciation he will gain from experiencing "history" from these WWII vets will change his life,as well as have an impact on the lives of all who are there sharing this moment. Thank you to Pam for sharing her father with my son, and others. I can already tell this man has a wonderful, vibrant heart! I am so excited to read more as those of us at home experience this "through the eyes of others". And finally, I want to thank Mr. Ed Knight...it is a privilege and honor, sir, to "meet" you through the words and descriptions from my son and others. Thank you so much for your service to our country, and thank you again at this time for your willingness to go back and teach others.
    Dianna Mathews, mother of John Mathews

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  4. WHAT A GREAT BLOG !!!! THE FAMILY OF LAWRENCE NELSON (ONE OF THE WWII VETS ON THE TRIP) IS ENJOYING READING AND SEEING WHAT IS HAPPENING DAILY.. ALTHOUGH WE MISS HIM, WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR HIM TO BE THERE WITH ALL OF YOU. GIVE HIM OUR LOVE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HIM SOON. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR GIVING THESE MEN SUCH A JOURNEY. WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR SAFE TRAVELS...THE NELSON FAMILY

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  5. Thank you for posting such wonderful pictures and commentaries. We follow them daily. We especially like to see "Jorgy" because he is ours and we love him.

    Ruth and Mariruth

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  6. Frances Nichols RogersApril 12, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    So thrilled to find this! Wayne Carringer is from my hometown, and greatly respected by everyone. What a wonderful experience, not only for all of you who went, but for those of us who are allowed to follow this blog! Thanks so much!

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