My Friend Henry Kratz

Today, a great American was put to rest at the DFW National Cemetery. Henry Kratz, a man I was honored to know for many years and call friend left this life for a new life with His Savior Jesus Christ--oh how I envy Henry! I can say that, because I know first hand the life in Christ Henry lived.

Along with a long and faithful service to the United Postal Service, Henry Kratz also served his nation honorably in the United States Army. While I was not able to be at the service where military honors would have been bestowed, let me share a few thoughts I have about such honors.

When taps were played, it is right that they should do so. However, that solemn sound simply cannot fully memorialize a life lived honorably and faithfully beyond Henry's military service. The sound of taps cannot fully honor a man who loved his wife dearly and was a dutiful husband every day of their marraige!

When the 21 gun salute was drawn, it is right that they should do so. However, that moment of tribute to a fallen soldier, cannot fully honor a man who loved his children deeply everyday and did not retire from his fatherly duties simply because his children grew up. Henry Kratz' tour of duty as a father was happily volunteered and extended up until his last breath. And beyond his last breath on this earth, his legacy of compassion, kindness, firmness, his moral example, and his simply always being there for his children will live on for generations.

When the flag was passed on to Henry's family for his service with distinction, it is right that they should do so. However, as powerful as a symbol as that flag is, it pales in comparison to the service with honor and distinction that has left a blessed legacy that his grandchildren and great grandchildren will be left with and have always.

Lastly, many of us who knew Henry, were not able to know him when he served in the Army. What we saw was honor, integrity, generosity, real agape love, a strong faith in the Lord, and truly--the ability to simply be a good and kind friend! Abraham Lincoln said of a man who has friends: "The better part of one's life consists of his friendships." Whatever honorable traits Henry lived out in his military service--clearly grew and expanded in the following many years of his life. Especially the quality of friendship. All of us who counted him as friend, have lost greatly this week. And yet, we have gained so much from the years we were blessed to know such a good man.

In a time of our country, when good men are hard to find when it comes to leading their families and working hard to do what is right day in and day out--we surely lost a good one this week in Henry Kratz.

So how do we honor such a man? No eloquent words we can say today can do justice to such a good man. Indeed, the way we can honor a man like Henry Kratz--is to simply live life how he lived. We can honor such a man by being better spouses. We can honor such a man by being better parents. We can honor such a man by being good friends and neighbors to all who know us. We can honor such a man by living daily to be more like Christ. As we reflect and appreciate the kind of man Henry was, let us heed these words from President John F. Kennedy:

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

In conclusion, let me say that to my knowledge, Henry Kratz was not a businessman per say. I never knew him to be of a strong entrepreneural spirit or a big investor etc. He worked most of his life for the public and the latter part of his life almost entirely for his family. But one thing is for certain--Henry was a great investor in people. That is where he put value.

"Goodness is the only investment that never fails" (Henry David Thoreau). There is no doubt, Henry's investment in goodness and in people--has reaped great wealth for generations to come!

Thank you Henry for all the years. Thank You Lord for men like Henry Kratz! We will not forget.