In this episode of Veterans Church, the hosts interview Lieutenant Colonel Don Coots, a retired 30-year veteran of the Missouri National Guard. He shares powerful stories from his military service and discusses how his faith guided him through deployments, specifically during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• Service and Advocacy: Colonel Coots served from 1976 to 2006, primarily in the Engineer Corps 03:32 Opens in a new window . He currently works with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an organization that helps ensure veterans have jobs to return to after their service 05:05 Opens in a new window .

• Humanitarian Work in Iraq: He recounts how his unit refurbished 28 schools in Baghdad 14:59 Opens in a new window . A particularly moving story involves a community in Missouri donating 2,500 pairs of shoes for Iraqi children after hearing they were walking barefoot on hot pavement 12:11 Opens in a new window .

• The Power of Prayer: The Colonel shares a harrowing experience where his vehicle was hit by an 18-wheeler at 30 mph on one of the few mornings his team forgot to pray before a mission 21:45 Opens in a new window . He credits his wife’s prayers back home for the fact that all four soldiers in the vehicle survived without serious injury 24:13 Opens in a new window .

• Faith in the Field: During his deployment from 2003 to 2004, his team helped build several chapels and saw over 300 people come to faith through their services in Baghdad 19:11 Opens in a new window .

• Message to Veterans: He encourages retirees to continue their service through mentorship and community involvement, noting that the oath to protect and defend doesn't have a "quit clause" 27:17 Opens in a new window .

Colonel Coots also offers a heartfelt tribute to Vietnam Veterans, praising their resilience and their commitment to ensuring future generations of warriors are treated with the respect they

Key Highlights from the Interview