Veo Gray, 4th Infantry Div.

After graduating High School in 1946, as a non-believer at the age of 17, I attended my father's pick of higher education at the University of Arkansas to study business. I was totally turned off by my college experience after one semester and couldn't find purpose to my life. So, I decided to return home and work at my dad's scrap iron yard. Over a year later, and still without meaning in my life, I at least figured out that I needed independence coupled with something tough, new and exciting. So, I quit work one day without telling anyone and I joined the 4th Infantry Division.

After I completed basic training at Ft. Ord, California as a raw recruit, I became the company drummer, a Platoon Sergeant, a Water Safety Instructor, a Mail Clerk, and then the Prisoner Chase Officer. After serving my enlisted time of 2 years, I was honorably discharged "at the convenience of the government" and while I did indeed fulfill my desire for things tough, new and exciting ... I had a growing eagerness for some female companionship.

So, I headed back home to Arkansas and I invited my friend Sheila, from Canada, to be a houseguest of my family. BIG MISTAKE! She came and stayed, and stayed and stayed. So when she announced that she not only intended to further extend her stay, but that she also had marriage in mind - I bolted.

I left home (and Sheila) and met with several buddies who were in the Air National Guard and about to leave for training at Kelly Field in San Antonio. As cowardly as it was to run away (I really had no other plans), I told Sheila: "my country needs me and I HAVE TO GO!" I thought this was the perfect answer and surely she would go back home by then ... just invest 2 weeks in the Air National Guard and then resign, since it was a volunteer organization and one could get out about as easily as one could get in. SECOND BIG MISTAKE!

I joined my buddies, was issued a uniform and then was sent off to camp. Wouldn't you know it, before the two required weeks were completed, our outfit, the 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing, was activated by the Pentagon to be sent to the Korean War - and there was no way of getting out of any of it then!

My orders were to report to Langley Field, Virginia in October 1950 for overseas training. My army rank was restored and upon testing at Langley, I was given the highest enlisted man rating of Master Sergeant of the Air Installations Squadron. This time around, I performed duties of 1st Sergeant, and Drill Instructor. I began to feel that military life might become a permanent field of endeavor.

We flew to Japan and received orientation and a one-month combat training at Itazuke Air Force Base. They asked for volunteers to go first and get it over with ... that seemed very macho and adventuresome, so I volunteered. We landed in a rice paddy in our C-47 at K-8 near Kunsan, Korea. We were to be replacements for guys who had been there the previous 6 months. The war was going on 100 or so miles north of us, but we had shots fired in our direction now and again.

After 6 months, we were transferred to K-2, the base near Taegu, Korea where we lived in metal Quonset huts. Rarely was God ever mentioned in our hut other than in cursing. I regret that I was not a born-again witness to testify to the grace and love of God. On Christmas Eve, we started singing carols and drinking beer. It didn't seem to occur to anyone that what we were doing was an irreverent way to honor Jesus. When we turned out the lights at midnight, I felt so convicted and homesick that I cried silently until I went to sleep.

Some guys drank almost everything alcoholic they could get their hands on. The more alcohol they consumed, the more they talked about home, family, wives or girl friends. John Bradshaw, also from Little Rock, became my best friend and my Christian role model. He was a married man who never drank, smoked, gambled or cursed. Instead, he would go off someplace quiet and read his Bible every night. That made quite an impression on me. I saw in John a man who lived the kind of life that embodied all the finest traits that I would like to develop. He was a Godly example that I have remembered all my life.

After serving my time in the Air Force, I was honorably discharged "at the convenience of the government," and while I did flee the clutches of Sheila, reentered the US at age 23 with unacceptable language and boorish manners, but with an idea from John of how a Christian should act.

In a few weeks, my mom encouraged me to attend a tent revival sponsored by First Baptist Church where she attended regularly. I told her that I didn't need God or anybody else. I was lost, hurt, angry, self-centered and I thought self-sufficient. It would take a miracle to change my base, miserable and sinful life. I sure wasn't looking for a miracle, but it came anyway, Praise God.

I arrived at the revival a little late and stood outside the tent. When the very meaningful message was over, the preacher asked that those who were not Christian to lift a hand. For the first time, I realized that included me. I was reluctant to do so, but being outside in the dark, who would ever know that I admitted that? Would you believe that my mother's Sunday School teacher was out there and she had been watching me the entire time? She witnessed to me that night.

I think it was "Ladies Night" the next time I went to church with my mother. According to the guest minister, God had impressed him to change his "nice ladies message to preach to some unsaved person." I was impressed with him, the man singing and playing the trumpet and with the message of salvation to anyone who believed in Jesus Christ. It seemed meant just for me. I responded by publicly going forward during the invitation to trust Him with my whole heart. I sure had not planned to do it, but after thinking about it for weeks, there was no doubt that all my mistakes, hurts, shame, failures and guilt were somehow gone forever.

How could God do that for me? And I could hardly believe that it was free for the asking. However, salvation is not cheap. It cost God His only Son. I only had to ask His forgiveness and trust in what Jesus did for me on the cross. "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe." The congregation rejoiced with my public decision. A mid-nineteenth century hymn states it so well: 'That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has shed His own blood for my soul. My sin, not in part, but the whole is nailed to the Cross and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, O my soul! It is well, it is well with my soul." I began a 1800 about-face that night.

I got a job at the Melody Shop, which was the best hangout in town where I got to sell records and record players, while listening to music all day. Also at this time our church Minister of Music, John Walker, asked me to sing in the adult choir. That was a laugh! I had never tried to sing anywhere ... in school or church. He pointed out that there was a shortage of men and he would help me learn. I remember him saying, "Would you just come, fill a seat and try?"

I did. He had me sit next to his best bass singer and I tried to "go up" and "go down" when he did. I was sort of getting the hang of it after a few weeks of rehearsals. Would you believe, it wasn't long before I was elected vice-president of the choir. It was the only thing I had ever been elected to in my life and I finally belonged somewhere.

A little later, I was asked to be a part of a male quartet. Then in a few more weeks, John wanted me to lead the music in church on Sunday while he was on vacation. I was completely overwhelmed. I couldn't possibly do that! But with God's help I did and I loved it. There were about 1,200 people in the congregation and about 50 in the choir. I was so nervous I thought I would die on the spot. Despite my knees literally knocking together, once it was over the experience was enjoyable.

About this time, the associate pastor asked, “Veo, what do you think is God’s will for your life”? I had no idea what he was talking about, “God’s what”?, I replied. “God has a plan for your life and you must pray about that and ask Him to show you what it is.” Wow, I was going to work at the Melody Shop every day, going to choir on Wednesdays, church twice on Sunday and singing with the youth group at jail services - what more could God want from me?

I began praying and asking God to show me His will for my life. Soon thoughts of going back to college were coming regularly. The overwhelming and continuing impression was that I should go to college and study church music. Baylor University in Waco, Texas was the place for me. My veteran's benefits helped with expenses while I began the difficult task of understanding and studying English Composition, Poetry, U.S. History, European History, Old Testament, New Testament. I had no idea that a music major had to study all the above plus Music Theory, Applied Voice, Applied Piano, Music Appreciation, Conducting, Music History, Composition and Hymnology, to name a few. I was also assigned practice hall time almost every day and went many nights.

The second quarter brought an invitation to become a member of the Baylor Religious Hour Choir, where life-long friendships were formed. Then came a call from the music committee from my home church in Little Rock with an invitation to serve as music and youth director for the summer. I could hardly believe it. Almost every waking hour and every ounce of my energy went into that job. I was in charge of the adult choir, youth choir, ensembles, youth programs, retreats, revival music and after-church fellowships. With very little experience on my part, a loving and appreciative choir and congregation made it work far better than I could imagine. The Lord and His people at my home church were so good to me.

I was worn out when I arrived back a Baylor but ready to go on and get my Bachelor of Music Degree, then on to my Master of Church Music Degree and for all that God had in store for me in becoming a full and lifetime servant of His ministry. How truly blessed I am that God provided the wonderful influences of thousands of friends and teachers along the way, but especially the two Johns in my life ... Praise God!

Follow Up:
Through these many years, I have become more and more aware and thankful for the influence and witness of the two Johns in my life. About 12 years after leaving the military, I searched to reunite with John B. I found him in Little Rock and took him to play a round of golf. I was able to share with him what a fine Christian influence he had been in my life and thanked him for living a life pleasing to God and for all of us military boys to see. I'm so glad God impressed upon me to do this as he died about a year later. I still keep up with John Wand we correspond often ... still sharing our love for church music together.