Commemorative Speech Manuscript

GORDON EMMANUEL MEADOR

We all have an idea of what makes a hero. My hero is a certain man that fought for his country, is dedicated to his calling, has persistence to care for so many people at once, and remains faithful to God. After sharing a few of his character traits with you, I hope you will love to know why I admire him so much. This special person that inspires me and would like to praise is my grandpa, Gordon Emmanuel Meador.

As a member of the greatest generation, Gordon truly is a hero. On Dec. 7th, bombs were dropping from the sky and at ships in Hawaii. In 1940 World War II began. My grandpa joined at 18 years old until he was 20, a part of the war for two and half years. There were two wars going on at the time, one in Europe and another in South Pacific which is where Pearl Harbor was bombed. My grandpa was in the South Pacific War where the first evasion happened in Philippine Islands and from there Borneo. He traveled to many places while in war. A few locations were the Philippines, Borneo, Australia, Japan, and New Guinea. While at war, he realized he wasn’t alone, right there and then, he reached his arms for the sky to praise God and converted to Christianity. At that moment, my grandpa promised the Lord that he would do whatever God wanted him to do. Gordon, with a brave face, is my hero.

My grandpa started studying architecture at San Diego Community College. Then when he came back from war, God called him to switch majors and then decided studying biblical studies so he could become a pastor one day. When transferred to LIFE Pacific Community and SPU, he then came to Northwest University and studied biblical studies, found his sweetheart and graduated in 1950. That takes dedication to follow his calling of ministry, my hero.

My grandpa is a faithful husband, father, and grandpa. He has been married 62 years to Ruby Jones, his one and only true love. Since my grandparents are now in their 80s and have a few health problems, they have recently been going to different doctors and are asking God to give them strength every day. They help take care of each other through the good times and their struggling moments. My grandpa will always do his very best to please his wife whenever she is need of anything. He and his wife raised their four children with faith, hope, and charity. He is the greatest grandpa that anybody would be lucky to have, and I as the youngest of ten grandchildren feel honored to have him as mine. Now he has five great grandchildren, including a set of triplets. My grandpa loves each grandchild with all his heart, and adores each great grandchild with value. A man with persistence is my hero.

My grandpa is a Godly and humble servant. For 60 years he has ministered at a variety of different churches. A few in particular were Southgate, Coulee City, Evangel Community Church, Sky Valley Chapel, and Queen Anne Assembly of God. My grandparents used to live on Queen Anne Hill; he ministered at Queen Anne Assembly of God the longest of fourteen an half years. Then they moved to California, Palm Springs in the desert where he ministered a couple years at Sky Valley Chapel until he retired. As a minister Gordon and Ruby, have traveled as missionaries to at least 81 countries. My grandpa said, “It was a wonderful honor to have the opportunity to minister not only in US, but all over the world.” Some places they ministered were Africa, South America, Brazil, Japan, Western and Eastern Europe, Germany, and Italy. A verse that motivated my grandpa through all his sermons was Matthew 28:19-20 that states: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Out of the whole Bible, my grandpa’s absolute favorite verse, that everybody should know, is John 3:16. Of all the hymns that my grandpa loves, a song called “Jesus is tenderly calling” is his favorite.

My grandpa retired when health problems occurred, including trouble with his eyes. Surgeries were done to get his eyes fixed, which today, he is still in the process of going through another surgery. My grandma reads the Bible to my grandpa but she has trouble with her eyes as well, so about a year ago, my brother bought my grandpa an I-touch. On the I-touch, there is a Bible, where all my grandpa needs to do is press one button to hear Scriptures, which is a lot easier for him to listen to the recording than straining his eyes. A man who has God as his priority is my hero.

To wrap it up, Gordon Emmanuel Meador is one great man to be around. My grandpa being a retired minister has led many hundreds of people to the Lord and changed people’s lives. They should all be thankful for the great man that he is, because my grandpa is one believer of the Lord, and very proud of it. He always knows what to say to somebody when they are in need, because God gives him the voice and words to spread the Lord’s message. I hope the few traits that I mentioned give you an idea of how they make me admire my grandpa and why I call him my hero.

Planning Sheet/Outline of Commemorative Speech

Topic: I praise my Grandpa Gordon Meador
General Purpose: Inspire
Specific Purpose: My specific purpose is to inspire my audience by praising Gordon Meador.

Introduction/Hook: I love a man that is faithful to God, kind to all people even those who have not been nice to you, born a happy and hilarious man. This man is my hero, Gordon Meador, my grandpa.

Credibility: Talking on the phone with my grandpa, and memories or stories that I can remember of my grandpa from my experience.

Central Idea: Today I would like to pause and praise Gordon Meador

Preview: Today I would like to tell you character traits my grandpa has that make me admire him. They are that God is his priority, he is generous, hilarious, and always is a happy man.

Main Points: My main points are that Gordon loves God, very generous, hilarious, and a happy man.