He threw himself on the grenade for me . A story of transformations for Memorial Day ... But a special play for you today!

I tell stories. That's what I do. And today I want to tell you some stories about Memorial Day, and being on the radio, and how old time towns celebrated Memorial Day many years ago. And then I want to tell you about my friend Brennan... He is the one that the title of the program is all about.

So please take about 15 minutes to be inspired, and perhaps challenged, and perhaps be thankful for those who are not here, but because they're not, you are here!

Then please take some time to tell me your Memorial Day memory and perhaps your transformation story.

And now here is what Stosh has to say about the show!

“He Threw Himself on the Grenade for Me” — A Memorial Day Story of Transformation This is Stan, and I want to welcome you to a story that’s more than a Memorial Day message. It’s about memory and meaning, about service and sacrifice, but above all—it’s about transformation. From Bike Parades to Battlefields I remember when Memorial Day fell on May 31st, not just on the Monday that made for a three-day weekend. It was a sacred day, a break in the normal rhythm of life. In my small town, we’d decorate our bikes with crepe paper and flags and trail behind the veterans as they marched through Main Street. The parade ended at the cemetery, where taps echoed through the air and spent shells from the 21-gun salute became childhood souvenirs. It was a holiday, yes—but one wrapped in reverence. The Day I Entered the World of Radio Another Memorial Day stands out for me. It was during the time I made a dramatic career pivot—from teaching to broadcasting. I was still juggling both, working full-time at school and studying broadcasting by night. We were told there’d be no class that holiday Monday, and we all sighed with relief. But then our instructor dropped a little truth bomb on us: “Enjoy it. It’s the last holiday you’ll ever have off. Radio doesn’t stop.” And he was right. From that day on, I worked holidays. No more time off. Why? Because someone had to be there—on air, in voice, speaking truth, remembering, reminding. That’s what transformation demanded of me: to step into a new calling and stay present, even on days of rest. Brennan Manning and the Weight of Sacrifice But the story that defines Memorial Day for me isn’t mine. It belongs to Brennan Manning. You may know him as the compelling speaker and author who shared deeply about grace, addiction, and faith. I had the privilege of picking him up once for a speaking engagement at our church. As we drove, he quietly mentioned that “Brennan” wasn’t his real name. He shared the story behind it. During the Korean War, a grenade landed in the trench where he and a few others were huddled. A friend of his—without hesitation—threw himself on the grenade. It killed him but saved Brennan and the others. Brennan told me, “He didn’t just die for his country. He died for me.” Think about that. “No greater love has anyone than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That act transformed Brennan. But it also burdened him. He carried guilt. He wrestled with the question, *How do I live a life worthy of that sacrifice?* That guilt led him into addiction, then into recovery—and ultimately into mi