Honoring Fallen Heroes

Matt Axelson was a smiling, sandy-haired native of California. In 2000, he entered the Army and became a Navy SEAL.

Then 9/11 happened.

In the sweltering summer heat of Afghanistan in 2005, Axelson’s team was told to capture a senior member of the Taliban. Unfortunately, the team was betrayed by locals sympathetic to the Taliban, and the SEALs found themselves surrounded by upwards of 100 enemy fighters.

During a fierce firefight, Axelson was hit in the head and chest, but continued fighting until the end. He died, along with two of his team. Matt’s last words were, “Tell Cindy I love her.”

He was thinking of his wife. Of his family. He was there in a tough place, far from the green, green grass of home.

Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The price for living in a wonderful country is high. It’s very, very high.

No matter our politics—because none of that really matters when we stop and think about heroes like Matt—we can honor them. We appreciate our heroes more than we can say.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we thank you that one day you will wipe all tears from our eyes and death will be no more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

How can we pray for you today? Members of Team Kerusso meet on a regular basis to pray, and we would be honored to pray for you. Visit Kerusso.com/pray to submit a request. 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Matt Axelson was a smiling, sandy-haired native of
California.
In 2000, he entered the Armyand became a Navy SEAL.
Then 9-11 happened.
In the sweltering summer heatof Afghanistan in 2005,
axelson's team was told tocapture a senior member of the
Taliban.
Unfortunately, the team wasbetrayed by locals sympathetic

(00:21):
to the Taliban and the SEALsfound themselves surrounded by
upwards of 100 enemy fighters.
Unfortunately, the team wasbetrayed by locals sympathetic
to the Taliban, and the SEALsfound themselves surrounded by
upwards of 100 enemy fighters.
During a fierce firefight,axelson was hit in the head and
chest but continued fightingtill the end.
He died along with two of histeam, and Matt's last words were
Tell Cindy I love her.

(00:43):
He was thinking of his wife, ofhis family.
He was there in a tough place,far from the green green grass
of home.
Joshua 1.9 reminds us have I notcommanded you Be strong and
courageous, do not be afraid, donot be discouraged, for the
Lord, your God, will be with youwherever you go.

(01:06):
The price for living in awonderful country is high, no
matter our politics, becausenone of that really matters.
When we stop and think aboutheroes like Matt, we can honor
them.
We appreciate our heroes morethan we can say.
Let's pray.

(01:27):
Lord, we thank you for thenation that you have blessed us
with.
We thank you for the men andwomen who have made living here
possible.
We thank you that one day youwill wipe every tear from our

(01:47):
eyes and that death will be nomore.
In Jesus' name, amen.
How can we pray for you today?
Members of Team Caruso meet ona regular basis to pray and we
would be honored to pray for you.
Basis to pray and we would behonored to pray for you.

(02:09):
Visit carusocom slash pray tosubmit a request.
That's carusocom slash pray.