COM 2 COM 3 - Unsung Heroes!

 Joe Noland continues his virtual conversation with Comm Jim Knaggs

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ne of the questions Commissioner Jim Knaggs planned to ask me (but didn’t have time to) in the isalvos.com interview was, “Who are your heroes?” I answered it, in part, under question #2.  (See http://therubicon.org/2010/04/comm-2-comm-2-no-boundaries-yes/).  

Now let me take this opportunity to expand upon that answer, in addition to those three divisional commanders and one territorial commander previously mentioned. First and foremost would be a corps officer, the then Lt. Ed Henderson, who influenced the direction of my life more than any one person ever; one who modeled for me risk-taking and adaptive, aggressive evangelism big time. In fact, that influence is documented in the film, “Altars in the Street,” available over at www.joenoland.com - the “Creations” page. I also honor he and his wife, Eleanor, in several of my other books. 

Since that time, spanning almost 50 years of officership, there are countless other Corps Officers who have been added to my ‘Hero List.” They are too numerous and there is not enough space to mention all here, most of them Corps Officers to the very end, never having their names listed in the much sought after “Staff” section of the Dispo, or “Officers on Active Service” section in the Year Book. 

I think of Major’s John and Mary Rocheleau, slugging it out year after year, Christmas after Christmas right up until retirement. When I was Territorial Youth and Candidates Secretary, we averaged 60 + cadets per session over five years, John and Mary holding the record for those coming in from their corps. It was a sight to behold, and all because of their Christ-mentoring spirit, grass roots style. These are two of my heroes! 
Then there’s Brigadier and Mrs. John Bawden, spending three quarters of their officership career in two corps appointments (Imagine that!): Great Falls, Montana and Albuquerque, New Mexico, she proudly wearing five silver stars, one for each child. And now their son and daughter-in-law, Majors Ron and Marilyn Bawden, retiring as Corps Officers out of Glendale, Arizona, she sporting two silver stars representing each child. They are four of my heroes! 

Most recently, Major’s Tom and Sylvia Petersen, retiring out of Reno, Nevada, where Doris and I had the privilege of conducting their Retirement Service. They gladly, without reservation, accepted some of the most difficult corps appointments in the Western Territory - Compton, Boise and Reno, among others - never slowing down one iota. And now they volunteer happily, full time, no compensation, no complaining, whatever the C.O. asks of them, in the Spokane Corps. Definitely two of my heroes! 

And the list goes on. Unfortunately, in our system, “Corps Officer” resides on the bottom rung of the hierarchical scale, sometimes even viewed and treated as second-class citizens. Were it not for them, where would we be? They represent the life-blood of this Army! (Along with their Soldiery) Most of them UNSUNG! - The best kind of hero. 

This is how I would have answered the question had there been enough time. 

Writer: Commissioner Joe Noland’s ministry can be summed up in three words: chaos, creativity and controversy - three elements implicit in any successful innovative endeavor. Cecil B. DeMille, renowned producer of Biblical epics, once wrote, “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.” Joe’s mantra reads, “Creativity is my drug of choice.”  Access Joe Noland’s complete bio, among other things, by clicking into his website.

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