Jonathan is gone but not forgotten!
About Jonathan & Michael
Lance Cpl. Jonathan Etterling, age 22, gave his life to help keep our nation
free.  He was killed in Iraq along with other brave soldiers when their
helicopter when down.  He loved school, sports and his church.  It was Jon's
dream and goal to one day become a soldier in the Marines and serve his country.
 After his military training and going through boot camp, he came home to visit his
family, friends and loved ones before going to Iraq.  
A lot of prayers went up to heaven for Jonathan for his safe return home, but like
so many of our brave men and women serving our country, it wasn't meant to be.  
God had other plans and needed him at home.  It was a sad day when his mom
and dad had to say their final goodbye to Jonathan, but yet it was a joyful feeling
to know he was in the hands of a loving and caring God.  It was a great loss for
us but it was heaven's gain.
Pastor Roger Lavender of the Free Will Baptist Church, his long time pastor had
this to said, "When Jonathan's helicopter went down, he went up."  
Though Jonathan is gone from our sight he will live on in the hearts and minds of
those who knew and loved him, and through the work of Veterans Helping
Veterans & Others.  Homeless, needy veterans and others will receive help with
the same caring, compassionate  and loving spirit that inspired and caused
Jonathan to lay down his life for God and country.
John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his
friends.
Michael is gone but not forgotten!
He was a young man that any parent would want as
their son.   He loved church and he loved to talk about
the Lord.  Michael wasn't one to just talk, but he put
his heartfelt words into action, and he proved it even
during his last few days with us here on earth.

Three days before Michael went to be with the Lord at age 16, he did what
he loved to do, bring some excitement, joy and pleasure to his family,
friends and loved ones.  He loved his school, community and country.  
Like his dad, he would have served in the armed forces if he had lived.  He
loved to help people and minister to all who knew him and didn't know him.
Friday night was a big game for his school and he was a star player.  
Though he became ill, he begged his mother to let him play.  The team and
his school were counting on him.  Though he was ill that night, he played
his heart out and they won the game.
On Sunday morning he woke up not feeling any better, but he was
determined to attend Sunday School and Church where he loved to learn,
worship, and talk about the goodness of God.  Plans were to take him to
the doctor if he didn't feel any better Monday morning.
On Monday morning Michael had become worse and he had a high fever.  
His mother didn't bother with calling the doctor, she put him in the car and
rushed to the hospital, but before they arrived Michael passed away in the
car.
Michael, like Jonathan, was a good young man and one to be honored for
his good works, compassion and love for God and country.   Homeless,
needy veterans and others will receive help with the same caring, compassionate
 and loving spirit that inspired and caused Jonathan to lay down his life for God
and country.   
Veterans Helping Veterans & Others is privileged and honored to have been able to name our food pantry, thrift store and other programs
we have after them.  Jonathan and Michael may be gone from our sight for a time, but the light of the Lord that shined in their hearts and
faces will shine on as V.H.V.O. reaches out to our veterans, their families and others in need and can't help themselves.  There are
guardian angels watching over us, we like to think that God has called Jonathan and Michael home to be our guardian angels.  Thousands of
needy people have been helped in memory and in honor of them and thousands more will be helped if everyone will listen to their heart and
have the love, compassion and concern for others as they did.  We salute you Jonathan and Michael on a job well done.  
You were what life was all about!











Jonathan & Michael were both good examples for our youth.  They both excelled in school with good grades.  They were both on the honor
roll. They both loved sports, involvement in the community and their church.  Boy Scouts are always told that they are to leave a place
where they've  been better than it was when they got there.  These two young men did just that.  Our community and nation are a better
place after having them with us.  God knew what He was doing when He loaned Jonathan & Michael to us for a short time.

They brought all who knew them and knew of them a lot of joy, excitement, charity and love.  They set an example for us all and they
showed us the meaning of faith.  The word quit was not in their vocabulary and they proved it to the end.

Though Jonathan & Michael are gone from our sight and touch, the love, compassion and charity they had for others will live on through
their school, church, family, friends and you as homeless, needy veterans and others are cared for through Veterans Helping Veterans &
Others.  The donations &
gift offerings you give in their memory will make a difference in the lives of many throughout the month and years to come.  Their pictures
will be on display for all to see in the hallway of "Jonathan Etterling & Michael Orban Memorial Food Pantry".
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