When we send our loved ones to war, many of us left behind try to find ways to support members of the armed forces who are in harm’s way. Sometimes, those ideas can snowball to become something larger than anyone could have expected.

Lovin’ Our Troops is author Mary Bass Gray’s story of how one ordinary woman—a military wife and the mother of two soldiers and a diplomat—surrendered herself to answer to God’s call to support the troops. Travel with Gray on her personal journey as the driving force of what began as a local effort but became a nationwide effort of spiritual support and encouragement for our deployed military. Lovin’ Our Troops provides a glimpse into the dedicated service and sacrifices the armed forces give to America and the world. Gray provides frontline accounts about how much her “bandana ministry” came to mean to military chaplains and to tens of thousands of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lovin’ Our Troops offers a great reminder how God can bring together strangers to touch the hearts and minds of hundreds of others all across the country in pursuit of a common good. It spreads a message to all who read it to live a life of inspiration in service to God, country, and family.

When we send our loved ones to war, many of us left behind try to find ways to support members of the armed forces who are in harm’s way. Sometimes, those ideas can snowball to become something larger than anyone could have expected.

Lovin’ Our Troops is author Mary Bass Gray’s story of how one ordinary woman—a military wife and the mother of two soldiers and a diplomat—surrendered herself to answer to God’s call to support the troops. Travel with Gray on her personal journey as the driving force of what began as a local effort but became a nationwide effort of spiritual support and encouragement for our deployed military. Lovin’ Our Troops provides a glimpse into the dedicated service and sacrifices the armed forces give to America and the world. Gray provides frontline accounts about how much her “bandana ministry” came to mean to military chaplains and to tens of thousands of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lovin’ Our Troops offers a great reminder how God can bring together strangers to touch the hearts and minds of hundreds of others all across the country in pursuit of a common good. It spreads a message to all who read it to live a life of inspiration in service to God, country, and family.

When we send our loved ones to war, many of us left behind try to find ways to support members of the armed forces who are in harm’s way. Sometimes, those ideas can snowball to become something larger than anyone could have expected.

Lovin’ Our Troops is author Mary Bass Gray’s story of how one ordinary woman—a military wife and the mother of two soldiers and a diplomat—surrendered herself to answer to God’s call to support the troops. Travel with Gray on her personal journey as the driving force of what began as a local effort but became a nationwide effort of spiritual support and encouragement for our deployed military. Lovin’ Our Troops provides a glimpse into the dedicated service and sacrifices the armed forces give to America and the world. Gray provides frontline accounts about how much her “bandana ministry” came to mean to military chaplains and to tens of thousands of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lovin’ Our Troops offers a great reminder how God can bring together strangers to touch the hearts and minds of hundreds of others all across the country in pursuit of a common good. It spreads a message to all who read it to live a life of inspiration in service to God, country, and family.

“Shall we attempt to save the mother or the unborn child?” That was the question facing the frightened parents and two doctors called to help with the complicated home birth in rural southern Louisiana. By the grace of God, both mother and child—Minton Oliver Newman—survived. The sturdy red oak tree sheltering the humble little house became for Minton a symbol of God’s presence and strength, serving as both comfort and inspiration throughout his life.

Eighty years later, Minton has completed this autobiography, moving from memories of his hardworking parents to his most cherished legacy: his large, loving family. Along the way, he recalls his rise from farm boy to college graduate, a thirty-year career in the air force plus fifteen more as an educator, and finally a busy and fulfilling retirement. A lifelong Christian, Minton is quick to credit God with his personal and professional success.

Photos and details bring Minton’s story to life, evoking a sense of place and time, events and loved ones. Yet this is more than a collection of facts or a list of one man’s accomplishments. Minton is not afraid to engage in serious reflection or to be honest about his feelings, such as the pain of losing his wife of fifty-three years and an adult son four years later, and the joy of discovering love again. It is this very humanness, and his love for family and God, that make this memoir such a treasure.

“Shall we attempt to save the mother or the unborn child?” That was the question facing the frightened parents and two doctors called to help with the complicated home birth in rural southern Louisiana. By the grace of God, both mother and child—Minton Oliver Newman—survived. The sturdy red oak tree sheltering the humble little house became for Minton a symbol of God’s presence and strength, serving as both comfort and inspiration throughout his life.

Eighty years later, Minton has completed this autobiography, moving from memories of his hardworking parents to his most cherished legacy: his large, loving family. Along the way, he recalls his rise from farm boy to college graduate, a thirty-year career in the air force plus fifteen more as an educator, and finally a busy and fulfilling retirement. A lifelong Christian, Minton is quick to credit God with his personal and professional success.

Photos and details bring Minton’s story to life, evoking a sense of place and time, events and loved ones. Yet this is more than a collection of facts or a list of one man’s accomplishments. Minton is not afraid to engage in serious reflection or to be honest about his feelings, such as the pain of losing his wife of fifty-three years and an adult son four years later, and the joy of discovering love again. It is this very humanness, and his love for family and God, that make this memoir such a treasure.

“Shall we attempt to save the mother or the unborn child?” That was the question facing the frightened parents and two doctors called to help with the complicated home birth in rural southern Louisiana. By the grace of God, both mother and child—Minton Oliver Newman—survived. The sturdy red oak tree sheltering the humble little house became for Minton a symbol of God’s presence and strength, serving as both comfort and inspiration throughout his life.

Eighty years later, Minton has completed this autobiography, moving from memories of his hardworking parents to his most cherished legacy: his large, loving family. Along the way, he recalls his rise from farm boy to college graduate, a thirty-year career in the air force plus fifteen more as an educator, and finally a busy and fulfilling retirement. A lifelong Christian, Minton is quick to credit God with his personal and professional success.

Photos and details bring Minton’s story to life, evoking a sense of place and time, events and loved ones. Yet this is more than a collection of facts or a list of one man’s accomplishments. Minton is not afraid to engage in serious reflection or to be honest about his feelings, such as the pain of losing his wife of fifty-three years and an adult son four years later, and the joy of discovering love again. It is this very humanness, and his love for family and God, that make this memoir such a treasure.