Veterans Day has a different meaning for different people. But for Larry D. Cripps, it is deeply rooted, upfront and personal while remembering those who served our country in uniform.
Like many, Larry did not have an early game plan for his life. But as his life unfolded, it became obvious that God was molding and shaping him for a spiritual purpose. Now a retired military chaplain, author, inspirational speaker, husband, father, and grandfather, he has time to reminisce and share ‘lessons in living’ that the Lord has sewn into the fabric of his being.
A native of the Blue Springs Community close to Smithville, Tennessee, Larry, 75, now lives near Gallatin with a desire to continue serving others through the skills learned in his pilgrimage that has taken him to places around the world.
The following is my interview with questions/observations followed by his responses.
(Ralph) Did your military career solidify God’s purpose for your life?
(Larry) “My path into military service was never part of some grand plan. It arrived unbidden, a summons answered more from a sense of duty than desire. When the draft came, I stepped forward as so many did, unaware that this chapter would profoundly alter my character and direction. The crucible of Army life, especially amid the relentless unpredictability of Vietnam, exposed me to the stark realities of sacrifice, loyalty, and the fragile nature of hope in the face of adversity. Each day brought new challenges: the weight of responsibility, the ache of separation from home, and the ever-present shadow of danger. In the heat of uncertainty, I first glimpsed the wellspring of resilience and resolve within myself…qualities I never imagined I possessed.”
(Ralph) When and how did Jesus really become real to you?
(Larry) “Jesus became real to me in an unmistakable and deeply personal way in July 1969. Though I was raised in a Christian environment, my faith had always felt more inherited than experienced until then. I attended a revival at the Smithville Church of God. The message was no longer an abstract doctrine…but a direct, personal challenge that stirred something within me that I had never known before. The full weight of that decision came into focus later during my service in Vietnam. Surrounded by uncertainty and danger, I grasped what it meant to entrust every aspect of my life and future to Christ. Yes, He became undeniably real to me.”
(Ralph) Share some significant points from your military career.
(Larry) “My service in Vietnam played a foundational role in my life. I could never have foreseen its impact on me. Being in the Army was powerful and challenging…producing experiences that assessed me to the core…filled with the chaos of combat and the profound emotional struggles of the soldiers I served alongside. These difficult circumstances compelled me to confront personal flaws that I had previously ignored or justified… such as my impatience and tendency to believe I was invincible because of my upbringing and identity. I joined the Army as a draftee…a reluctant soldier pushed into a turbulent world…with sounds of gunfire, dullness of jungle terrain and the constant threat of danger. It quickly became clear that my interests and goals were just small parts of a larger story…a story of sacrifice, brotherhood and the ongoing search for purpose rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ, which became my life’s focus in Vietnam.”
(Ralph) What happened after that initial military commitment?
(Larry) “Returning home, I was eager to forge a new identity at Lee College (University) in Cleveland, Tennessee…to shed the burdens of my service and distance myself from memories that clung stubbornly to the edges of my mind. Yet, the Army had left its indelible mark. The lessons learned, the bonds of brotherhood, the moments of fear and courage became an undercurrent, subtly shaping my thoughts and the arch of my life. Even as I tried to move on, those experiences quietly beckoned me toward a calling I had not anticipated: the ministry of a military chaplain.
“In the tension between my longing to escape my past and the persistent sense of being drawn to something greater, I began to recognize a deeper purpose at work in my life. Looking back, I see that it was not a single revelation, but a gradual awakening…a slow, steadfast shaping of my heart and soul, preparing me to serve others with empathy and understanding forged in the fires of my journey. I realize now that my time in the Army was not a mere detour, but a transformative chapter woven into my story.”
Part Two: Finding Meaning and Purpose will be featured in next month’s Nashville Christian Family Magazine
Ralph E. Vaughn.
