Webster’s Dictionary defines “serve” as:  To work for; to labor in behalf of; to act in the public service, as a solider, seaman, etc.; to obey and worship.

Jack Ernest of Richmond has served, continues to serve, and will serve his country, God, and his family. Because of his service, he is being inducted into The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2012.  The ceremony will take place Nov. 8 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH.

Ernest enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July 1965 and volunteered for a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a combat Marine, and was wounded in a night attack during hand-to-hand combat.  He served as a fire team leader, squad leader and radio man in the field.  For some reason unbeknownst to Ernest at the time, he was one of two men chosen from a field of 1,200 to attend Vietnamese Language School in Okinawa, Japan. 

“Getting out of Vietnam and going to another country, even for a month, meant I would live another month,” he stated.  “I jumped at the chance.”

The training was intense, a month of classroom training, eight-hours a day, five days a week to become fluent in Vietnamese. 

Ernest returned to his original unit, was promoted to corporal and transferred to S2 Intelligence, where he was the chief scout for the battalion. Speaking Vietnamese enabled him to be able to monitor the prisoners of war his battalion was in charge of.

Sitting aboard the “Freedom Bird” at the end of his tour, Ernest reflected on that moment, “You were still not safe until the plane reached a certain altitude where the Vietnamese rockets could not strike it.” 

He headed back to the “world” on Oct. 31, 1967, and from his window seat, with his head resting on the glass, he vowed, “I will never return to this country as long as I live.” 

He returned to the United States, fulfilling his military service as a sergeant in 1969.  He met his future wife, Patsy in Fredericksburg, VA, and they married in 1968.  He began working at Weirton Steel and planned to live the American dream. 

However, his American Dream was wracked with alcohol, drugs, and conflict.   He remembers speaking with a representative from the Veteran’s Administration who was helping veterans with workers rights issues at the steel mill.  It was around that time became a father.

In 1976, on the brink of divorce, Ernest found his salvation.

“My dad was saved and found God later in life,” explained Ernest.  “He was after me to go to a revival with him.  I finally went basically just to get him off my back.” 

What he found at the revival, was a John Wayne-type “man’s man” spreading the word of God, telling his story, which was identical to the life Ernest was living. 

“God had a hand in this,” he said.  “I accepted Him into my life and became a different person.  I stopped the drugs and alcohol.”

Throughout this time, Ernest was attending West Virginia Northern University studying criminal justice.  He switched his major and began studying Theology.  He became a nondemoninational evangelist and missionary minister. 

He began working with veterans, offering counseling services, helping them transition back and deal with family issues.  He served as chaplain of the Steubenville AmVets and helped with funerals.  Soon Ernest spent time traveling across the United States speaking at functions and churches.  He founded Welcome Home Ministries, Inc. in 1988.

In 1989, while working on a speech regarding “healing a nation,” he noticed a letter with a return address of Christian Vets With A Mission from California.  He was being invited to be part of a 10-man team of veterans to return to Vietnam, to bring peace and reconciliation to the people of the country. During the trip, the veterans would join Morley Safer and “60 Minutes” visiting orphanages, hospitals, etc. and show the communist government, the United States was not going to cause them harm.

“It scared me. We would be the first veterans to go back in since we withdrew in 1975,” Ernest explained. “I immediately thought of excuses why I couldn’t go.  Even though 22 years had elapsed, I didn’t want to face the trauma and horrors of that place.”

Ernest found himself, once again in a window seat, head resting on the glass, this time descending into Vietnam. Once the group arrived at their hotel, Ernest excused himself to go outside. 

“I needed some time to gather my thoughts,” he said. While sitting on the curb outside, he saw two boys between the ages of 10-12 talking about him.  Suddenly, he realized he could understand them.  He was still fluent in Vietnamese. 

This trip led Ernest to Vietnam on humanitarian visits 44 more times. With his own ministry and Patsy, they visited hospitals, orphanages, clinics, brought medical supplies, cooking, and clothing.  They worked with leprosy villages in the mountains and underground with Christians, bringing Bibles, and literature. 

“We continued to go back because we had faith in God,” said Ernest.  “The last time we were there was in 2005.” Patsy visited Vietnam 19 times. The couple also visited the Philippines, Thailand, and Korea but Vietnam was always their priority.  “We had some unbelievable experiences there,” the couple said.

Ernest changed the name of Welcome Home Ministries to We Believe Ministries, Inc. and he continues his work as an advocate for the Lord and with veterans of all eras. Ernest is a member of AmVets 275 of Steubenville and was named “Veteran of the Year” for 2007-2008 in Jefferson County.

The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was created by former Governor George V. Voinovich in 1992 to honor veterans who have honorably served their country through military service and who have continued to serve and inspire their fellow man with their deeds and accomplishments throughout their lifetime.

When the AmVets first mentioned submitting Ernest’s name, “I thought of all the other vet’s who have served and all those who fought and didn’t come back,” he stated.  “It is a great honor.”

Ernest will continue to live his life through Christ, continuing his service to the public, trying to live the best he can to God’s word. 

He continues advocating for veterans and will be speaking at Quantico Marine Base and at the Marine Corps Ball in Weirton. 

 “What is the cost of freedom?” asked Ernest.  “You can’t put a price on it or define it.  These men and women loved their rights and freedom so much, they were willing to lay down their life for it.” 

On that note, Ernest urges everyone to thank a veteran when you see them.  “If they are wearing a hat or something that identifies them as a veteran, they are saying, ‘I served my country. I’m proud’, “ stated Ernest. 

Most months, Jack and Patsy travel several hundred, if not a thousand miles doing outreach to communities and veterans. 

“I love my life,” said Ernest.  “My calling is to serve, a blessing.  We all have something to give.”

Source: freepressstandard