The Bible reminds us to give honor where honor is due, and today I had the privilege of participating in a mural dedication honoring two of Shreveport’s finest heroes.
It’s a story our community knows well. Caddo Magnet High School alumni and Navy SEALs, Jonas Kelsall and Rob Reeves, lost their lives in the line of duty in August 2011, in the Extortion 17 helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Today, we unveiled a mural dedicated to these two patriots, with the most fitting motto, 𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪 𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘦 — “not for self, but for country” — inscribed at the bottom.
I had a chance to visit with Rob’s father, Jim, before the presentation and listen to stories about his beloved son. Jonas and Rob were teammates and faithful friends who ultimately gave their lives so the rest of us can enjoy the blessings of liberty.
May God bless the legacies of Jonas and Rob, and may this mural remind future generations that freedom is never free.