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Let Freedom Ring

By Tony Satterlee

From 1971 until 1973, I served as a radioman cruising the coasts of Vietnam on the USS Barbel.  It was dangerous work and it made me realize how valuable our freedom is.  It’s because of military folks that we have freedom.  I wish people could remember when the wars are over that the lives of military personnel are on the line 24/7.

After I left the service, I worked for a huge computer company for 13 years and planned to retire there.  Then the company moved to Mexico and I lost my job.  I worked as a computer repairman for seven more years and was laid off again.  Now, at 54, it’s hard for me to find another good job, though there are supposed to be laws to protect me from age discrimination.

I came to City Rescue Mission in March 2004.  I never thought I’d have to go to a shelter and I had a pretty low opinion of myself.  Growing up in Oklahoma City, I used to look at the homeless and think, “Why don’t these people get jobs?”  Now, I’m not quite so arrogant.

The Mission’s recovery program is helping me get back on track.  I’ve learned that prayer works!  What happens to me and to others when we pray proves it.  They made me a supervisor some months back and during one of our house meetings I was awarded a “Soup Can Certificate.”  That’s for doing a “souper” job as a supervisor, working well with folks and working hard on my program. 

Little things like that have helped build my confidence again.  I’m back on top.  Maybe all this was God’s plan to humble me.  Being at City Rescue Mission has definitely helped reaffirm my trust in Him.