Testimonies

ALERT Cadet Corporal Matthew O'Hearn is a special young man in many ways. God has taught him much about Himself and the topic of suffering through having to deal with many physical issues in his brief 15 years of life. Matthew, at Major Farr's request, has documented what he has learned so that others may benefit from his experiences. Read Matthew O'Hearn's article entitled "My Grace is Sufficient for Thee" (January 2007)

Newspaper report from ALERT Cadet Texas 6th Bravo unit awards banquet and recognition ceremony. Mrs. Cora Fugate praised the unit for their service to her while State Representative Dan Flynn encouraged the group from Galatians 6:9 to "not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."  Read the article here (December 17, 2006)

Letter from ALERT Corporal John Erickson on his experiences working with ALERT Cadets in Asia.

Dear Major Farr,

I know that you receive many notes and thanks for your encouragement ot fathers and sons whom you work with across America. Perhaps you also receive thanks for pushing people to strive to go beyond what they are used to doing. To you I would also like to take the time to thank you for doing that for me...Read the entire letter (November 2006)

Letter excerpt, used by permission October 2006, from former ALERT Cadet Weien Wang, now in ALERT Basic Training.

Dear Major Farr and the ALERT Cadet department,

…ALERT Basic Training has been an experience, sure enough, but even amidst all the activity and alarms, your letter and the accompanying cookies have reminded me from where I came, namely – the foundation of ALERT Cadets. I often think of the Cadet Challenges in Knoxville and my (ALERT Cadet) squad back home, but most of all, my dad, because, well,  almost everything in Cadets is father/son…

God Bless,

Recruit Weien Wang

Charlie 1st, Unit 36

Report from ALERT Specialist Joseph Schroeder on what he learned while serving with ALERT Cadets in Malaysia in September 2006. What I Learned about Leadership by Serving in Asia - Joseph Schroeder

Report from a widow in Oregon after the local ALERT Cadet unit assisted her with clean up on her property. Letter from Mrs. Craig 6-19-06.

E-mail from a grateful mother on the ALERT Cadet program and how it has strengthened the bond between a father and his four sons. Karen Cahill Testimony - May 2006

Report by Mark Anderson and his 11-year old son Jonathan, on their attendance at the ALERT Cadet High Adventure Camp – June 2006. Mark Anderson - ALERT High Adventure Camp Report - June 2006

Neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night will keep us from our appointed task. The post office? No, the ALERT Colorado High Adventure Camp held on a private 80,000-acre ranch in San Luis, CO., June 26- July 1. What was the appointed task? For the heart’s of the sons to be drawn to their fathers, and each individual to grow in the Lord. Morning wisdom searches from II Timothy 2:19-26 and an evening study in the book Created For Work by Bob Schultz provided us with spiritual nourishment for the day...

Speech from a grateful father at an August 2006 ALERT Cadet awards banquet.

I want to take this opportunity to speak for a moment regarding some key points on the ALERT program.  My sons and I have been involved in the ALERT cadet program now for almost a year and it has been a real blessing to our hearts.   

Most recently we had the opportunity to participate in a Loudon County Fair and distribute Gospel literature and New Testaments to people attending the fair.  I had the opportunity of seeing my 2 sons (11 and 14) going up to people they didn't even know, handing them  gospel literature, and telling them that the literature contained a brief message on how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  What a thrill this was to my heart to see my sons serving in this manner.  

I am also very blessed with the monthly meetings.  The dads that attend the meetings are fully committed to the spiritual growth of their sons and seeing their sons take on a role of manly leadership and Christian service.  Conversation between the dads is always edifying and never shallow and superficial.  Attending the meetings is always a very edifying experience.  I encourage any dads here tonight that are looking for a program to participate in with their son to seek out the ALERT Cadet program.  

We have had the opportunity to participate in one service project where we assisted an elderly widow with the clean up of her property.  What a delight it was to see the young men come out on a Saturday on their own time and joyfully participate in helping this dear lady in need.  

Finally, I am always blessed with the fact that Andrew Voell and his family willingly open their home each month to all of us and allow us to use their home as a central point for our meetings.  Their unselfish and gracious spirit coupled with Andrew's leadership is the main stay of the program.   Thank you again.

Report from ALERT Cadets in Singapore on their first camp out - March 2006

Dear All,

The Alert Cadet Unit in Singapore had their 1st camping trip at Pulau Ubin from March 2-3.  There were 8 fathers and 13 sons during the camping trip. We conducted such activities as topography/map reading, cycling, hiking, campsite skills, first aid and rope skills.  The Lord’s protective Hand was evident during the entire camp. We had been warned earlier of a possible high tide that might come in during the night and which would have left us swimming in our sleep.  Thankfully, however, the tide came in only the next day while we were breaking camp.

When we were walking back to the jetty with our backpack, the Lord gave us a surprise. The high tide had caused the river to overflow to the road and we had to walk through the water at knee height, much like the crossing of the River Jordan. God is good for our sons enjoyed walking through the water.  That was a memorable moment for all of us!

This camping trip has surely bonded both father and son. We learnt to be creative with whatever resources that the Lord had provided e.g. we had to set up a fire to cook our meals with the strong winds blowing at us.  The boys also started a campfire with whatever they could find.

I wish to thank all the fathers who went to the camp for making our camping trip fun, enjoyable and an experience worth remembering.

Regards,

2nd Lt. John Wong

Singapore 1st Alpha Unit