ProclaimLiberty.us

- by David Hall, Belladier 

(Sung to the tune of “My Grandfather’s Clock”)

Corporal Frank Buckles’ bell

Stood out off the porch

Mounted up in the yard on a pole

It stood taller by half

Than the soldier himself

But it weighed not a pennyweight more

It was ringing on the morn

Of the day that he was born

By his father

With gusto and pride

And it is ringing again

At one hundred and ten

As the last doughboy has died

At one hundred and ten

The bell has sounded again

That Frank Buckles has passed to Heaven’s side.

“David, you have a duty to live. I have a duty to live. There are so many people we need to outlive.”

-Corporal Frank Buckles

February 1, 1901 - February 27, 2011

Corporal Frank Buckles died after completing all of his duties to his country at 110 years and 26 days.  I had the distinct privilege to become part of this wonderful American soldier’s life after he called me up one July morning in 2007. The call went something like this:

David: Good morning! This is David Hall. How may I help you?

Frank: Hello, this is Frank Buckles. I’m a WWI veteran. It is a fine thing you are doing with the Liberty Bell, sir. I-

David: (interrupting) Thank you.

Frank: I would like to stand with you. Well, I need to go. Thank you for what you are doing for our troops. (Click.)

I googled Frank Buckles and there he was - WWI army corporal, one of four Americans still living. I excitely went to the kitchen to tell my wife, Phyllis, the news. I had talked with an American icon.

Later that day, Phyllis received another phone call:

Susan: Hello, my name is Susan Flannigan. Did you receive a phone call from this number earlier today?

Phyllis: Yes, yes, from a Frank Buckles. He talked with my husband.

Susan: I’m Frank’s daughter. Did he promise you anything?

And so began a friendship that has endured to bless our lives.

Frank had a duty to live.

                                                                                                                                                             January 5, 2008

Dear Mr. Buckles,
It was a privilege to be with you September 22-23rd, 2007 with the nation’s only travelling Liberty Bell and the Patriot Guard Riders.  You greatly encouraged your countrymen by ringing the Liberty Bell and riding a motorcycle with the Patriot Guard.  Several riders told me they will never forget you giving everyone a thumbs up, a salute, and a smile as we rode from the VA Hospital out to your home.
It was an unforgettable afternoon as we gathered in your front yard.  The 300 Patriot Guard Riders’ normal missions are to escort soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines from the airplanes to their final resting places. But on this day there was no escort. There you were, Corporal Frank Woodruff Buckles, a motorcycle messenger rider from WW1, first of our kind and at age 106 still sharing with us the thrill of a ride.  Sir, you were Frank with us, representing the last of your generation out on your own front porch sharing with us  General Pershing memories and other memorable words that needed to be passed on. You passed the baton of freedom to us as it was passed to you.  You told us that we have a duty to live and you have set before us a fine example. Thank you, sir, for that honor.  We will not drop the baton. We will do our duty and give honor and bear witness to the next generation for each sacrifice on the altar of freedom.  The price of freedom has always been high.
Sir, when you reach eternity and you catch up to your men– tell them about us and about the baton pass.  Tell them about the warriors you met who are coming along behind them, running the race and keeping the faith. Tell them we will join them in heaven when our duties are complete.
This was a wonderful honor to meet you and your daughter Suzanna and family. Phyllis and I looked forward to this occasion since my second cousin Diane Kent your friend and caregiver called me and told me you would like to see those Patriot Guard Riders and the Belladier of the Liberty Bell that tolls in honor of our soldiers.  When Diane was in Texas with us she participated with the Patriot Guard Motorcycle Riders in honoring our troops by standing in the line and helping to set up the Bell to ring the ancient toll given heroes for over five centuries.  After your time is complete, it would be a privilege to toll in honor for you and the generation of warriors you represent.  No one ever forgets the sound of Liberty.  It is the heartbeat of America.  General Pershing said the Liberty bell represents the values Americans fight to defend; Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
After you called me I received a packet in the mail from you with pictures and your story of your service to our country in WWI, driving a motorcycle and an ambulance at the young age of 16.  I went to my library and found two copies of a book I had bought at a Military Wounded Warriors fundraiser two years before,”America’s Youngest Warriors, volume 2.  “I looked up your story and called the author, Ray Johnson, in Arizona and he told me more about you.
A few days later at the Veteran’s Cemeteries in Dallas and Ft. Hood, Texas, following soldier’s funerals, the Texas Patriot Guard Riders and the Liberty Bell stopped to refuel and refresh before disbanding to our homes.  I told the men and women (mostly former veterans of Vietnam, Korea and the Gulf) about WWI Veteran Frank Buckles who defended freedom on a motorcycle in France in 1917.
The patriots fell silent as I told them that you, a young soldier at the old age of 106, knew of what we were doing and wished to ring the Liberty Bell in solidarity with us.
‘Wing Man’ E.R. Stroud said, “What are we waiting for? Let’s ride.”
‘Cap’, Rick Cole, central Texas ride captain and Gulf War veteran said, “Do you realize what an honor this is to have the opportunity to link up with this man who represents the men who protected and handed down freedom to us to protect and pass on?”
‘Double D”, David David, our Texas State Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders told me this was a priority mission and the Guard would escort the Bell for the trip to West Virginia to meet Frank Buckles.
The West Virginia Patriot Guard made it happen and every state Patriot Guard along the way handed “The Nations Only Traveling Liberty and Law Memorial “   forward to 371 Gap View Farm Lane. The Pennsylvania Highway Patrol insisted upon the giving of honor by providing escort and security during our entire time in Pennsylvania.  For four days the Liberty Bell Display was honored to be placed with the “Original Liberty Bell of 1753”, on the brick sidewalk just outside the door where visitors enter to see the Liberty Bell.  Over 4,000 visitors were allowed to pose for pictures, to ring, touch and hear the sounds of liberty exactly as was heard for over 92 years in Philadelphia before it was irreparably broken in 1846. The ABC News stations covered the entire journey of the Liberty Bell to your home.
When you invited the “Traveling Liberty Bell” to come you extended your hand to thank 180,000 Patriot Guard  motorcycle riders ,who are mostly veterans  like you, who participate in the concluding honors for our military, police and firemen. Thank you sir for a solid hand off.

Sincerely,

David E. Hall, The Belladier

On Wednesday we experienced our first Earthquake in Quito.  Quito sits in the valley surrounded by 5 volcanoes.  Ecuador itself has 78 volcanoes some active most asleep.  By earthquake standards a small hiccup we were told, but all the patients at the cancer center talked about it the day after it occurred. Then on Thursday afternoon we had thunder, lightening and a hail storm. For a few minutes the ground was covered with half an inch of ice. The weather changes almost as often as in Texas.

This city of over 2 million pulses with loud noises, traffic everywhere, people walking to and fro, and as their buildings creep out of the valley up each side of the mountain like the fingers of your hand; we watch, we listen each day and discover a new layer of Quito that was hidden to our eyes the day before. The masses do not look like us. They are small of stature, very black hair, some dressed very nice, others with tattered worn out clothes all busy trying to live in this huge mega city as it is called.  Small babies strapped to a mother’s back with a yard of material sometimes cry as the mother sits on the sidewalk selling fruit, toddlers roam the medians between the busy streets playing with a paper cup or small plastic spoon while mother sells her wares in the middle of the street, indigenous tribal men and women in native clothing sell or beg on every corner, while others walk briskly by on their way to work or school. We look; we see their eyes are hopeful of existing and doing the same thing the next day. Our hearts break at some of these scenes we see daily here in Quito.  Our eyes opened again to the masses of this lost world.  All of those missionary stories you hear at home take to heart, and never forget the lost are here and waiting to be rescued from life’s chains of sin. These past 3 weeks David and I have seen them, have talked with them, and hear their cry.  Never could we have imagined last month that life’s journey would bring us to this city thousands of miles from home; now that we are here, and we pray for the healing of David, we cannot be selfish and forget what we see today.  God sees tomorrow. He is there.  May we be found faithful to do his will no matter where or what situation we find ourselves in, even through this personal fire we are walking in today the lost of Quito never leave our hearts. ?
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After 3 ½ weeks in Quito we continue with Our Lord beside us and yes sometimes carrying us confident in His healing power.  David is feeling better but tired. He has no pain.  The doctor added more healing therapies again this week. David’s immune system is responding well to all the treatments.  The intensity of treatments continues.  This week he received a full blood workup, the results should be back on Tuesday.  On Monday David will have a second 3-D sonogram.  This will give a maker of progress by comparing it with the first one given 5 days after we arrived at the center.  The doctor will also compare the results with David’s original CAT scan of January 4.  We are grateful for the quality of care David receives.  David is encouraged each day after his treatments.  He still does not like the food, but it seems none of the patients are thrilled with it either.   Every few hours David is eating something and consuming more pills, supplements or nasty tasting drops.  Yes, I have tasted the drops and he is right.  Next week we change the hours of treatment to a longer daily schedule. The doctor always has a smile on his face when he speaks of “killing this cancer” like a warrior winning the battle.   He is a man of great faith. He tells you he is only one of God’s tools in getting rid of this disease.  God heals; he just assists the best way he knows how.  Every day new patients come to the center and some leave.  While receiving treatments David has great opportunity to talk to each patient and make a new friend.  Because each has some kind of cancer there is an immediate bond between them.  David is able to share the love of his Savior freely.  All receiving these treatments have been told by a doctor how long they have to live, most have tried the conventional medical therapies, and they did not work. They now reach out beyond the realm of one kind of medicine and desire to live. To try to live they leave their families, home, friends and come to this place of hope.  Hope not only in the doctor or these treatments, but hope in miracles.  They each need one. So we thank our Lord that if we must go through this battle —while we do so may those we meet see Christ in our lives.  We are changed here, so are they.  God is the God of Miracles, and they all are hoping and leaning on His arm whether they admit it or not.

At 10 am this morning we received a call from the hotel desk saying that we had a visitor.  David went down stairs to see who in the world would know us here.  When he reached the lobby a local pastor of one of the evangelical churches in Quito wanted to speak with him.  The pastor spoke no English and David speaks no Spanish so the bell boy became the interpreter for the next few minutes.  The pastor had just returned from being in America where David had met him at a Pastors conference the first of January.  Now home from his travels he wanted David to come speak at his church.  The arrangements are now being made and next week David will speak at this church.  It does not matter how your body feels nor where in the world you are God knows and brings these wonderful Christian brothers into your life.  The pastor has prayed for David since their meeting in January.  Even the bell boy in the lobby became a tool used by God to minister to David today.  Never are we out of His care.

Your prayers our weapons against this disease we battle.  For those who remember us in your prayers we thank you from the depths of our hearts.  Our strength comes daily from those intercessions to God.  We know without a doubt God hears your petitions.  We are blessed.

As Dietrich Bonheoffer’s mother told her first son as he was going off to WWI “son there is only space between you and me when we pray”.   We know exactly what she meant.  God is in the space between home and here.  He is with us and he is with all of you. He hears each of us.

Our children are keeping us informed as to what is going on at home.  We speak with one of them every day.  The Liberty Bell is going to its appointed duties. And most of my grandchildren think I should eat every strange fruit here, and yes I need to eat the Ecuadorian favorite food “cuy”—Guinea Pig. I am keeping my options open.  David cannot try the “cuy” for he cannot eat meat.  Another little known fact about Quito; there is neither heat nor air conditioning in any building in the city.  The mornings and evenings this time of year which is winter are cool, if the sun comes out during the day a nice 65’-70’, but a bit cold at night about 40’-45’. When we first arrived we looked for two days to figure out how they heat this place—they don’t. We layer.

Our Love to All,
David & Phyllis

Today marks 17 days in Quito, Ecuador receiving alternate cancer treatment for David. As with the first update on February 5, 2011 we stand strong in Our Lord.  With all the strange sounds and sights of this city now becoming familiar to us, we each day see God’s hand guiding our footsteps.  To our family and friends we want you to know we miss each of you and love you.  We know there are prayers going to the throne of God on our behalf.

David is feeling some better because he is again talking nonstop to the patients when receiving treatments. Some know Our Savior and some do not.  His mission here to make sure all hear the good news of a loving Savior.  After all he does have a captive audience for several hours a day, and God always gives opportunity to tell of His love if we are willing.  This greatly encourages David while he is hooked up to the strange machines, or as he says “his arms are nothing but I.V. ports” for half the day.  We are thankful that he has maintained his weight this week. Because of the vegan, no sugar diet he is on, it is hard to keep your weight up while enduring all the intense therapies.  His new motto is “if it tastes good spit it out”.  This has been the hardest part of all the treatments– changing the diet.  He considers some of the supplements and the 68 pills a day part of his food chain now.  The blood test this week also showed more improvement. The doctor is working aggressively on shrinking the tumor away from the bile duct and killing this cancer. Evidently the medical doctors and facilities here in Ecuador are world famous for cancer treatment.  Every day someone else from around the world comes here to get what is not offered in their country.  David is receiving excellent care from the doctor and nurses who care for him each day.  When you find yourself ill and there is no hope— there is God.  He is our healer, our Savior, our strong tower in our need.  Pray that we are able to convey to those around us who do not know Our Savior His love for them, that they too might become His child.  We expect God to answer our prayers not just for healing, but for the salvation of souls while we too are captive in this place called Quito. For we pass this way but once, may Our Lord and Savior be seen in our lives by those we meet– this our daily prayer.  We have realized whatever happens, where ever we are, God holds us in His arms, and we can continue to speak His word to those who hurt, have no hope and are lost.  God is with us and we feel your prayers sustaining our days here.  

Our children and family have again come to our rescue this week.  We needed an alkaline water machine as one of the aids to David’s healing.  We had family members try to mail us ours from the house 2 weeks ago. We could not get it here because of a customs problem.  After exhausting all options to get our machine out of customs, our children worked on an alternate plan. They purchased another water machine, picked it up in Dallas on Thursday, and sent Jordan, our youngest son, to Quito on Friday.  Jordan arrived Friday night with the machine and some other items too difficult to acquire here. It is good to hug our son. He is staying a few days with us. We thank God we have our children.  This item will greatly improve David’s immune system and give us another tool to do battle. We are truly blessed.  We can be here doing these treatments because our children and family are taking care of everything at home.  We love you.
We receive letters and emails from our grandchildren, family, and friends. We talk with our children, my mom, grandchildren, nieces, sisters and other family each day.  Someone gives us the news of home and when we hear voices we know our hearts are filled with joy.

Thank all of you for your love and support.  To God Be the Glory! You are in our hearts,

Love
David & Phyllis Hall
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My name is David Hall I am the Belladier, the keeper of the Bell.  Do not look up Belladier in the dictionary.  It’s not there, yet.  I created the word to describe what I do as I created the Liberty & Law Memorial to honor those individuals who protect our laws, our treaties and people at home and around the world.  We are the “Land of the Free” because of the Brave.   The traveling Liberty Bell tolls today as Bells have tolled for over 500 years honoring heroes who have laid down their lives for their countrymen.  The Liberty Bell, the sacred icon of 1753, tolled for our Founding Fathers: Benjamin Franklin-1790, George Washington-1799, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson-1826.  My wife, Phyllis, and I have traveled through England and Europe; visited many Bell sites and studied their traditions as well as the concluding honors afforded our Heroes in America over the past 250 years.   

Since the war on terrorism began in Afghanistan and Iraq I have tolled the “Nations only exact replica traveling Liberty Bell” at over 500 funerals for our active duty, Killed in Action Military Heroes. I realize, as many of you, the Cost of Freedom paid by our sons and daughters for this Nation is high, and that it is our duty to pay tribute for these great sacrifices.  We as a Nation can never forget the price they paid for our Liberty.  I meet the families of our Fallen, and they too understand this high cost.  We as fellow Americans need to hold them in our arms while God comforts their hearts.  In fulfilling this duty my life becomes richer and more meaningful because of these families and their American Heroes.  On 9-11-2001 I was riding to work when the Twin Towers fell.  My son Caleb turned up the truck radio and we rode on in awe.  We knew war was here.  Caleb, age 20, and a member of the Texas State Guard called his compatriots, and I age fifty, father of five, grandfather of 10 knew what I could do.  I would ring the Liberty Bell as the Belladier in Philadelphia did exactly 225 years before when on September 11, 1777 Washington’s Continentals were defeated at Brandywine Creek leaving Philadelphia open to invasion by the British Army.   I volunteered with WBAP radio and The American Red Cross to toll the Liberty Bell.  Within five days of the attack in New York we had completed four major events throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Texans rallied to fill the blood banks and donated over one million dollars in cash within those five days for those in need, and all were encouraged to “Ring the Liberty Bell.”  This is also how the Liberty Bell responded to hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike.  

When people call and request the Liberty Bell we ask who, what, why, when, where and how can we best help.  Then we make a plan of action.  Since 9-11 the Liberty Bell has tolled in concluding honors for two Presidents, Ford and Reagan, and for 24 Police Officers and Firemen.  When a Police Officer or Fireman goes down, within a few hours we are there with a solemn memorial in place until the funeral service is concluded.  I am not a grief counselor, but after 15 years of tolling the Liberty Bell I have had the opportunity to study traumatic loss as few others.  I see the loss weekly and know some of the sorrow felt by those left behind.  My brother was killed, my father died from a fall, and my mother succumbed to cancer.  While on duty at the Liberty Bell & Law Memorial I was struck down by a drunk driver and left for dead.  A 16 year old boy and his father found me under the Bell trailer, bound my head wounds with their shirt and gave life saving care along with the Police and Paramedics.  None thought I would live. I sustained head lacerations, a trauma hernia, 5 broken ribs, 4 lower vertebras were broken in 12 places, and burns covered my legs and torso.  Within 35 hours of the accident I walked out of the hospital with no surgery, in some pain from the ribs and back, but all would heal in time.  God blessed everyone’s efforts, answered the prayers of many, and the traveling Liberty Bell continues to roll and toll.   Today I am pain free and when I meet people they look at me and say “We prayed for you.”  To all who stopped their lives and prayed for me I want to say Thank You from my heart….your prayers were heard and I continue my duty as Belladier.   

I have a small 12” X 12” steam train Liberty Bell that I use at the Veterans Hospitals, Soldiers & Sailors Homes and other places where a 2,500 lb. Bell will not fit in the elevator.  I tell the maimed, the severely disabled and the suicidal that their prosthetic limbs are Medals of Honor.  I tell them that as they once had a duty to fight the enemy, they now have a duty to outlive the foe.  I tell each one it is my duty to help heal the wounds of war. When I was a small boy my family lived across the street from Schwartz Funeral Home in Hannibal, Missouri.  Richard Schwartz was my childhood friend.  We learned, lived and played around the funeral business.  Jack Schwartz, funeral director, Richard’s father felt it was wrong that someone should go through this life without anyone present to mourn their passing.  When it appeared that the beloved departed had out lived all their family he would call my father, “Eddie, this is Jack, he would say, I have another service today –one who has outlived his family.  Can you come over at 1 p.m.?”  Dad ran his insurance agency out of our home and we would cross the street at the appointed time to become mourners and pall bearers.  At first I was small and had to jump up to sit down on the chapel chair my feet not yet reaching the floor.  Jack would give the eulogy his wife would play the organ.  My hand had to reach up to grasp the rail on the casket as we “pall bearers” went out to the hearse.  If the concluding honor was for a Spanish American war Veteran my dad would wear his Navy Honor Guard uniform and we would travel out to the cemetery.  When the hearse returned to the funeral home we helpers would remove the side panels, fender skirts, reinstall the oxygen bottle, the bed and over head flashing light for the next ambulance run.  My childhood filled with these memories helps me understand what I must do today to honor these same men.  Each generation has its Heroes. 

For honoring our First Responders and Military I have received many honors from a grateful Nation.  These honors include pins and commendations from Presidents Clinton and Bush.  The highest Civilian awards from the Sons of the American Revolution, The American Legion, New York Fire Departments, commendations from the Military Order of World Wars & the Veterans Administration.  I have been commissioned as an Admiral in the Texas Navy by Governor Rick Perry.  The Department of the Interior & the U. S. Park Service invited the Liberty & Law Memorial to be placed on the Philadelphia commons immediately outside the Original Sacred Icon of 1753 in September of 2007.  This was the first time an exact replica Liberty Bell has been permitted to be displayed, touched, and tolled by all guests coming to visit Philadelphia. I am proud to be a member of the Patriot Guard Riders.  Organizations can only be great because of the men and women involved in doing good for their fellow man and nation.  I have the privilege to work with these great Americans holding our Nation in their arms comforting the families of our Heroes as they bear the unbearable burdens of war. The greatest honor I receive and covet comes from the families we serve. I have been asked, “I get the Liberty Bell, but what’s up with the Ten Commandments?” The tablets of law flanking the Bell are not there as a religious statement of do’s and don’ts, but they represent the Foundation of Moral Law upon which our culture is built.  There is no Liberty without Law.  It is the perfect representation of the American Separation of Church & State as defined by our Founding Fathers.  Atheist & Theist alike were equally protected and liberated to live according to the inner light in their hearts. The first four commandments reflect the obligation which we owe to the Creator and the manner in which we discharge this obligation was left to the individual.  The remaining six commandments reflect our civil code and no matter your beliefs the civil authorities hold all equally responsible to obey the law.   Thomas Jefferson said the greatest law giver in history was William Penn.  William Penn felt the greatest law giver was Moses.  Today the two greatest symbols of our cultural values are the Ten Commandments and The Liberty Bell. I simply combined them in one display representing the greatest Freedom the world has ever known. 

Because our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Police, and Firemen protect our law and our people we are FREE.  William Penn’s law known as The Charter of Privileges of 1701, based upon the Magna Carta and the Ten Commandments gave citizens of Pennsylvania unprecedented freedom in human history.  Abraham Lincoln described it as a “Government of the People, by the People, and for the People”.  To celebrate the first fifty years of Penn’s Law’s over whelming success a commemorative Bell was ordered and placed in a new bell tower in the highest position of all objects in the American Colonies.  This object of veneration is the Liberty Bell, “The Heartbeat of America.”  The Liberty Bell represents those inalienable rights defined in the “Declaration of Independence,”   the values for which Americans have fought to defend since 1775.  May we never forget the sound of Liberty! In this age of Darwinian atheistic evolution survival of self is paramount; selfishness has become a duty to many and altruism a disease.  Good has become evil and it is changing our culture and our country.  The Son of God, the Jew Jesus Christ is the model for William Penn’s culture of life.  He regarded the good of others as the chief end of all moral action.  This is the inspiration that motivates me to do what I do.  I cannot locate the enemy.  I cannot call up for fire support or clear the field of hostiles or negotiate the peace.  My duty is to honor and encourage those who can, who will, who do and who have done so.   

Everywhere I go I teach these values to others from Kindergarten to concluding Honors.  My hope is that in honoring these values and these individuals, God will continue to send these American Heroes our way and we will remain “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”  Liberty For All,David Hall, Belladier

Quito, Ecuador  �
We learn again this lesson on life’s journey—God is everywhere and his children are everywhere.

God knows our names, God is where we are, God feels what we feel, and God knows what we need.  The barriers of language or culture are non-existent in God’s Glory.  

Here in Quito, Ecuador surrounded by all the new sights and sounds of a strange country God walks every step of this way with us.  Our Savior forever in our hearts is our strength.  

We can feel and we receive all the prayers of those who know where we are, and what we are going through.  These prayers are sustaining us, and uplifting our hearts.  We are walking in God’s glory through this fire that will not scorch us for our Savior stands beside us protecting us with His love and peace.  Our resolve is firm we continue to live in His healing.  

We know you are interested in what is actually happening here, and what the medical treatment is like that David receives.  After 8 days of intense treatments at the Cancer Clinic in Quito, David has experienced varied therapies which have made him feel drained of strength temporally, but we are seeing progress in fighting this battle.  His blood tests showed improvement after one week.  The Doctor is greatly encouraged. Our spirits are confident in Our Lord.  The Doctor and nurses are Christians believing that God heals, and they are tools being used by Him.  With prayer they dispense these treatments given to David.  

Each day beginning at 8am for 4 to 6 hours David receives various treatments that include detoxing his system, mega doses of oral “concoctions” as he calls them, and 2-3– I.V.’s plus added shots containing doses of cancer fighting meds, along with numerous machine treatments like low level lasers, wave frequency, acupuncture, and other treatments not used in the states to fight cancer.  To raise his immune system to normal and combat this cancer he is taking several supplements, different oral drops, and consumes over 60 pills a day i.e.: many enzymes,  cell and immune boosters,  many minerals & vitamins, even a local South American Andes mountain holistic herb. The intensity of these treatments makes David tired, but the Doctor said after 2 weeks he should start to feel better once the body becomes accustomed to the massive influx of therapies being thrust upon his system. The doctor says he is working on “killing this cancer”.   We all believe God’s word and stand on His promises.

We are in the Southern Hemisphere, we are 20 minutes from the Equator, it is winter here the average temperature 45-65 degrees with some rain. Quito, the capital of Ecuador has a population of over 2 million, lies in a mountain valley at 9,300 ft. elevation; the Andes Mountain peaks tower 18,000 to 19,000 feet on all sides. We are staying in a hotel suite in the middle of the city.  The streets overflow with people and the noise of the city is like strange music all day.  Riding in a car to and from the clinic each day is like being on a NASCAR speedway track with only a horn for a signal, and without a horn the car could not go anywhere. The stop signs are only suggestions and the pedestrians have no right of way.

On Sunday we attend an English speaking church with the doctor, the preacher is from Canada. This is the only English we hear all week except for the American and Canadian patients at the clinic. Last Sunday the church prayed for David and another patient from the clinic who attended with us. The services and songs are similar to ours at home. Last week a young man from the church was seized and severely beaten by four kidnappers before being released. He and his father stood and gave God praise for his life. Security is very important here and every place provides armed guards.  We have an interpreter if we need him, and have a private driver that the hotel furnishes to us for our own security.

We sometimes while shopping walk the streets, and mix with the masses of people in Quito.  Our hearts are filled with compassion for these people we do not know.  There are the poor, those coming and going to work, those passing our way but once and we wonder who they are and what their life is like.  We turn the radio on and though we do not understand all the words in this language the music is the same as  home — we hear  “God of this city” — we are amazed how small this world is and How Big God Is!

Though we are temporally away from those we love and miss each of you, we abide resting in Our Lord.  We covet your prayers.  We trust Our Lord and Savior—expecting miracles—for we know who holds tomorrow.  As the old song says  “It is well with my soul”.

We truly realize once again and are overwhelmed by the love and support we receive from our family, our friends, and those we will never meet.  We do not worry about anything at home for we know our children have everything under control, and they can call upon our family and friends to assist them if need be. We thank each of you for remembering us in your paryers.
To God Be the Glory for Great Things He Has Done

Each of you remains in our prayers and hearts
 Our Love,
David and Phyllis Hall

                                                           January 23, 2011

I wanted to contact you today and tell you I’m off to war.  I was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  I’ve run through all the tests, scans and scopes, and now it is time to go to war.  No soldier wants to die; Jesus Himself prayed three times the night before his trial. He wanted to live nevertheless He would do His duty.  I have been told pancreatic cancer has a 2% survival rate at 5 years.  Doctors at Baylor and Methodist both failed to offer anything other than to get my affairs in order.  I am much more hopeful than they.

I was hit by a drunk and left for dead on March 30, 2008 at 7100 Airport Freeway in Fort Worth.  Just 34 hours later, I walked out of John Peter-Smith Hospital.  People prayed for me. The accident burnt me from my nipples to my knees, broke my ribs on my right side, broke my four lower vertebrae in twelve pieces, and dislocated my right leg. The hood ornament on the Tahoe poked a hole in my right temple, a large pizza pan size pool of blood lay on the ground and I had no detectable heartbeat.  The doctors’ response was, “Apparently God wants you  to be able to continue honoring our Soldiers.” 

Today I will need no less than a miracle to continue in giving honor to our nation’s heroes and their families. Six months ago, I lifted a Chevy van off a 14 year-old girl at an accident scene in Sherman.  I have seen miracles and I am believing for another. I’ve packed my bags, prepared for Quito, Ecuador, where I will be under the care of an American doctor offering alternative therapies for cancer that are not available in the United States. This is not a last hope,  a shot-in-the-dark effort, but a well planned strategy for recovery. I plan to stay for a month or so in Quito, and then return to duty. I continue to place my life in God’s hands and covet everyone’s prayers.  The Bell will be available to roll and toll and continue its duty while I am away. My family, the Patriot Guard Riders, the American Legion, and the Sons of the American Revolution will be caring for the Bell in my absence.   

I thank you for your support.

David Hall

When:     Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Time:     11:00 AM

Where:   Grapevine Vintage Railroad Station

              709 South Main Street, Grapevine, Tx.

               (Directly East of the Main Depot & Museum)

Who:     Proclaim Liberty—Belladier

              Century Trucks & Vans

              Crow Family–Army Sgt. William Crow

Proclaim Liberty invites the media, friends, patriots, families to attend the dedication of a customized GMC truck given by Century Trucks and Vans christening it the Sgt. William Crow.  David Hall, the Belladier, will be presented the keys to a specially customized GMC truck by the Adams Family, owners of Century Trucks and Vans, in true patriotic fashion.  The truck will be christened the Sgt. William Crow, in honor of one of the hundreds of Fallen Heroes that the Liberty Bell has and will toll for. Army Sgt. William Crow sustained fatal wounds on June 28, 2007, at the age of 28, when his vehicle struck an IED while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.  Sgt. William Crows Family will attend this dedication ceremony.

Century Trucks and Vans has partnered with Proclaim Liberty to help the Belladier continue tolling the nation’s only working, traveling, exact replica Liberty Bell to honor our military, & first responders–those who give their all for country and protect our freedom. Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion & Sons of the American Revolution will participate in this dedication christening ceremony. You will never forget the Sound of Liberty.

Contacts:

Proclaim Liberty                   Daniel Adams,Century             Lisa McCowan, GVRR

817-915-7179(Mobile)           469-446-0608 (Mobile)         817-504-0079 (Mobile)

bell@proclaimliberty.us       dadams@centurytrucks.com   Train Station

Century Partners with a Tarrant County Man to Help Proclaim Liberty 

Century invites media to attend an all-American celebration as a customized GMC truck is given to David Hall, proud citizen and Belladier of the nation’s only working, replica Liberty Bell.  A Tarrant County man who has made it his mission to travel the nation tolling the Liberty Bell in ancient fashion for festivals, celebrations, and funerals to honor fallen America’s Heroes, including military service men and women, fire, police, and rescue personnel, will be presented the keys to a specially customized GMC truck in pure patriotic fashion.  In a ceremony following the key presentation, Mr. Hall will have the truck dedicated to honor Sgt. William Crow Jr., one of hundreds of fallen heroes that the Liberty Bell has, and will toll for. Sgt. Crow sustained fatal wounds on June 28, 2007, at the age of 28, when his vehicle struck an IED while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. Sgt. Crow’s family and friends will attend the dedication ceremony.

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008 – 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Grapevine Vintage Railroad Station,709 South Main Street, Grapevine, TX76051

Directly East of the Main Depot and Museum. Platform will be reserved for media.

WHO:

The Adams Family, Century Trucks & Vans
David Hall & Family,  Belladier
Crow Family, Sgt. William W. Crow Jr., family and friends

###

Contacts:

Daniel Adams, For Century         Phyllis Hall                                Lisa McCowan, GVRR
469-446-0608 (Mobile)              817-915-7179 (Mobile)            817-504-0079 (Mobile)
dadams@centurytrucks.com      bell@proclaimliberty.us          lmccowan@ci.grapevine.tx.us