"V-Cox is back from Iraq". Although that sounds poetic, his stay there was not. He is my hero.
Our student body was fortunate to be able to hear from Vincenzo Cox on Tuesday during the middle school and high school chapel times at the school where I teach, Westbury Christian School. He gave several stories from his experience to express to the students how truly fortunate they are to have the lives and creature-comforts that they have. He told stories of physical and emotional pain.
I was fortunate to be able to have Vincenzo come speak to my Health classes as well. If the kids were in chapel, they only know about some of his war stories. They don't know the whole story. Vincenzo is a world-class athlete. He grew up in Miami. He was a self-proclaimed sub-par student who didn't take advantage of opportunities as a teenager. He was offered a scholarship to run track at Arizona State University, but could not qualify academically. He joined a program in the army for athletes and became a member of the National Guard. Later, he latched on to the track program at the University of Houston and a coach that has trained some of the great track athletes of all time; Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell, and Mike Marsh (among others). He succeeded on the track. Later, he took up soccer and was able to work out with two English teams and the Columbus Crew of the MLS. Recently, he has been a teacher in the Alief district working with special educational students.
He was able to speak candidly in class about his concerns about the war, about Army politics, about being persecuted in Iraq for his religious beliefs and practices as a founding member of the Church of Christ in Tikrit. He was singled out and sent to Mosul for a hearing regarding those practices, but thanks to letters from higher ranking doctors at his base, he was not "punished". He was relocated to Kuwait, where he started a church that now has between 40 and 50 people in attendance every service.
As our students watched, and hopefully listened, to Vincenzo talk about his greatest achievement being the gift of the Holy Spirit at his baptism. You could tell they couldn't believe after all his accomplishments, that his baptism would be the one thing he pointed to.
I asked them to ponder two questions and comment before the end of the day on Friday. If you would like to share stories of people that you know that are heros by answering the questions...feel free.
Question #1; Share your thoughts on Vincenzo's experiences. What stands out to you?
Question #2; How do you think these experiences affected Vincenzo in each of his four types of health; Physically, Mentally, Socially, and Spiritually?
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Question #1- Vincenzo's whole experience must have been like WOW! you know cause like thats not an experience that really happens to alot of people or an experience alot of people want to have. I know that alot of people take the stuff they have here for granted and i know i do to and i dont think that you really realize that until you have an experience like the one Vincenzo had. What stands out to me is when he said that alot of people got baptized over there, but when he said that i was like o wow when you're out there and away from the world and all its temptations you can like really focus on God.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #2- i think that Vincenzos spiritual health went up alot even though he couldnt like go to church and stuff i think that he could really focus on God out there and i think he realized that he could die out there and that probably brought him really close to God . i think that his scocial went down but not that much because of course he couldnt really keep in touch with everyone here but he probably gained a lot of real close friends there. i think his mental health went down some just beause he was never sure if there was a bomb near him or someone going to shoot him and that had to be really stressful. i think that his physical health probably went down the most because he probably wanst eating that good and bathing and sleeping alot and all that stuff you should be doing.
*Chelsey* :)
I am answering question #1
ReplyDeleteI think Mr.Vincenzo got to experience something that isn't seen everyday in America. Such as seeing your best friend wounded by a deadly bullet. He also had to stay in a enviroment where it was pretty much every man for himself. The thing that stands out to me is the baptism ceromonies. I think that that was one of the best things spiritually that you can do for someone;especially in that type of predicament. Mr.Vincenzo took time out to witness the gospel inspite of harm and difficulties to me that is true
Love!
1. Vincenzos experinces over sea was an amazing story. He did many things and was apart of things that normally alot of people are apart of. What gets to me is how he remembers all the bad things like seeing blood and losing the sense of shock because he has seen it so much it is like water, how he was used to being bombed and having bullets coming at him. It was like he doesnt fear death!
ReplyDelete2.His experinces effected his physical health by going through boot camp and geting into such lean shape. His socail health will be like very few others because he has stories that has happened to very few others. The spirit and mental parts were effected the most. His apperciation for life and God grew tremendously. His mind will never be the same because he has nightmares, maybe, because of what he has seen or been through.
1.I thought that what Vincenzo had to say was really interesting,and he shared a whole lot of great stories with us.I also think that he has had a really interesting life.
ReplyDelete2. I think that Vincenzo improved in all of the categories of health. I think that he improved spiritually after coming back from Iraq because he became closer to God. I think he improved socially because he was able to meet new people and probably see other cultures.I think his mental health probably dropped a little bacause of everything that he had to face while in Iraq , but I also think that he came back a improved person..I think that he also improved physically .
1. As my cousin is about to go to Kuwait, i understand the whole being afraid and yet pround for them. like really proud. i hope my cousin's experience is as inspiring as Vincenzo's. I really enjoyed the stories because hardly ever does someone experience the same thing as their brother, eveyone sees things differently. i also enjoyed his story about the church and the excellent high ranking doctors that helped out in the situation. The way he told the story, it seemed like that was the only thing that mattered..of course he was in the middle of a war, but he saw the spiritual battle taking so much more precedence over the physical battle.
ReplyDelete2. First of all, being a soldier is very physical. Mentally, it seems draining of the mind to be unclean, hungry, thirsty, and fighting for your life all at once. He must have grown stronger through the daily battles, but also emotionally, experiencing death in such a gruesome matter, he must have some images that he might never get out of his head..and to me..that's frightening. Socially, one can make many friends in the army, friends one would die for, and possibly one could. that's power! Being away from one's family is tough, too. I appreciate having my friends so close! Spiritual is the major one because it is the most important. Starting a church, leading singing, preaching, organizing, that's a lot of work. And God can reveal himself in some many ways, it's crazy. I'm positive he talks to God differently now, perhaps with more appreciation..or the same..maybe he was always that passionate, anyways, you can almost see God's joy bursting from his smile, eyes, and words he uses to tell us all of the amazing things God has done in his life. Not what HE did in Iraq, but what GOD did through him.
Question 1. As a friend of two marines that are both 19 years old, the thing that most stood out to me was his experience talking about the deaths of the 4 soldiers. My friends both saw a fellow recruit pass out and die during a morning run and it was tough for them to talk about.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2
These experiences affect his physical health becuase he saw death for the first time, and it became more real for him. Mentally, he had to cope with the death of the soldiers yet somehow continue to keep his commitment and perform his duties. Socially people try to pretend that some things dont happen so I would assume that people in the military don't usually talk about death. Spiritually I think that this experience brought him closer to God because he probably prayed a lot more.
1. What stood out to me was that he went without so long. That, and the camel spider story. I HATE spiders, so that was just creepy.
ReplyDelete2. I think he was affected mentally, because he became used to blood and the like, became stronger spiritually, because he was the only Christian, and had the privelege of starting the Church of Christ there(yay!), physically, because he probably got stronger, and socially, because he made new friends there.
Live long and prosper always.
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1) He talked about how his location was bombed once a week. That means that every week his life was in danger. I also liked the way he stood up to the crowd about his faith. I think that that is really important.
ReplyDelete2) Physically, he was exercising there, being in the army. Mentally, the images that he saw in Iraq and Kuwait will never disappear. Socially, he learned from watching how other people lived and how lucky he was from being around these people. Spiritually, he probably grew closer to God. In tough situations he probably relied on God to help him get through it.
-Russell Leonard
Question 1 Him being in Iraq and fighting for our country might be a awesome experiance but the fact that something might happen to you anytime anywhere so that might be like scary but he sticked in there and was being a hero for this country and he did and the way he liked kept faith in himself to not let anything happen to him is awesome to.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2
Physically he so many unforgettable things that will never leave his mind. Mentally that he was over there fighting for his country probaly wore him down mentally. Socially he had to interact with his group and some iraqi people that he talked to. Spirtually he had God there to guide him and make sure that nothing was to happen to him. And God helpd him through very tough times.
Leticia Cuellar
1. I think Vincenzo's experiences are some that can be remembered forever. He was able to fight for his country and not too many people can say that they did that.
ReplyDelete2. These experienced affected his health physically because this is not like everyday life. Iraq is nothing compared to the United States as far as the living standpoint. Like he said in his message that they have to walk to use the bathroom and all the unsanitary stuff compared to the u.s. can take a toll on your health. It affects your mental health because you don't have the same mindset as you used to back home. You have to adjust your living and adjust it to the way you used to live. Socially has to change because you are not associating with people that you used to and you are missing the friends that you are used to seeing everyday. Spiritually you do not have the luxuries of going to church like you do. You can still pray to God but it is not the same way you pray back home you have to make adjustments to alot of things.
1.
ReplyDeleteI heard about war many times. because, when my uncle was kid, there was war between north and south Korea. also my grand father was like to talk about war. because, during the war he came down to south side. so i could imagine vividly. and i hope there will be no war when i serve for military.
2.
it most effected to physical. because, during the war, he must be scared and afraid. and he probably gets lot of stress
Question 1: I think that his experiences are amazing, I know very few great men but it feels like I have just found another one. It is hard to accomplish such hi standers, and yet this man has been though so, worldwide soccer player, national track star, and served in our armed forces. This list alone is great but this is not even all of him.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think that these experiences have made a great impact in all aspects of health, for better or for worse. In mental health he has probably grow the most in. He has seen how people live in other countries. Not as well off as us. He has seen death all around him. That is stuff that a man can't forget in a lifetime. In physical health there were probably great improvements. Over maybe a mouth that guy would lift 150lbs with no sweat. Socially he probably grows very close with the man around him and in the base. It might have just stalled great old time friendships. Spiritually it must have like a dessert he was by him self and maby50 to60 other people. Now that shows strong character. To not go with the flow. And that out of all his life makes him a uncommonly noble man.
#1. Vincenzo's experience seems un real. I think that through his experience, he has become a better person. I can't even imagine what I woulld do if I was in his shoes. Vincenzo is a true hero.
ReplyDelete#2. Physicaly, i believe Vincenzo probably became more physicaly fit. Mentally,Vincenzo has been introduced and learned many things he may have not known if he never went to Iraq. Vincenzo said that socially, he met many new people and has had to deal with many uncooperative people. Spiritually, Vincenzo has grown in his walk with Christ because he introduced many to Him and this has made him be more intouch with his religion. -Ope.
Better late than never I suppose...
ReplyDelete#1. I can't imagine myself ever filling those types of shoes. The experience he related to us was one that just inspired me to hang on during my own trials and to remember that others have (had) it worse than me and I can make it through.
#2. Physically, all that training would be beneficial and I'm sure he grew in that respect. Mentally he was conditioned for a variety of different situations that gave him the experience to do other things he may not have done otherwise. Spiritually, I'm sure all the trials and tempations to just quit helped him, as he overcame them, to grow closer to God. Socially, he had a lot of interaction with other Christians and non-Christians, both of which must have improved that aspect of his health.
question 1- what stands out to me is that he made it through iraq while still being true to God. and not only was he true to God. he helped others become christians as well.
ReplyDeletequestion 2- physically he is in shape and maybe a little bruised up in places. mentally he would be thankful to be in the usa again. and now he realizes wut he really has here. socially he is probably having a lot of ppl come up and talk to him and hug him. spiritually it has helped him because he knows what it is like to have his life on the line.
p.s. good reffin downstairs.
cody glenn
Question #1. Being a Military Child nothing really surprised me. But what stood out to me was not the storys about people getting arms blown off or decapatated, but what stood out to me was the storys he told about people being baptized in Iraq. People hearing the Word and obeying it, that is what stood out to me.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #2. I think these experiences affected Vincenzo phylsically by putting him through training and his body constantly under the heat with all that armor on would have worn him down.How I think it affected him mentally would be all htese people dying and the bombs and killing and blood would have made a lasting impression on his mind.How I think it affected him Socially was he made alot of new friends and alot of people he would keep contact with. Also all the people he shared the Gospel with would remember him forever. How it affected him Spiritually, it was a spiritual high for Vincenzo because of all the people he shared the Gospel with and all the people he tought that got Baptized would have really boosted his Spiritual Tank.
- Elijah
Question 1: I think his experiences were memorable and unforgetable, he went through many hardships in that country, and taught us many important lessons, such as: we shoulld be thanful with what we have, because the people in Iraq do not have it as nearly as good as we do.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think he changed in Physical Health because he had to do all these rough tasks. In Social Health I think he changed because he learned to communicate to the different people there. In Mental Health I think he changed in his way of thought, the way he saw things in that country. I think he changed in Spiritual Health, because even when he was up there serving his country, he was also serving God, making him more of a noble man than he ever was.
Hey Coach this is Victoria A.
ReplyDeleteQuesttion 1: The experience that stuck out the most to me was when he was talking about the guy that was wearing the dog tags. It was so interesting to me that the dog tags saved that guys life by protecting him from the bullet that was going to hit him in the chest.
Question 2: I think these experiences affected Vincenzo in all aspects of health; Physically, Mentally, Socially, and Spirtually. It affected him physically because he had to train and fight because of the war; Mentally because he saw a lot of things happen in Iraq that were unforgettable; Socially because now the war has given him a life experience that he can share to others about; and Spiritually because the war pulled him closer to God.
question 1: Well, I knew the situation was bad in Iraq, but I was not aware of just how bad. The stories working the gate in fear of suicide bombers and camel spiders were very disturbing and scary. His stories allowed me to better understand how fragile life is and how lucky I am to live in America were I do not have to live in fear of suicide bombers.
ReplyDeletequestion 2: I had heard Vincenzo speak one other time before he left for Iraq. It was several years ago and he had come to speak to the youth group. Usually I do not pay attention in class, but he was so good and funny that I listened and still remember today. However; the funny, humorous Vincenzo seems to have been replaced with a darker, more serious Vincenzo. War has terrible effects on people. Obvious it effects you mentally and perhaps spiritually. I do not think he was effected socially (except perhaps the now-added seriousness), and thankfully he was physically injured during this war. I am glad that Vincenzo is back and hopefully his time to serve is over.
(john Castillo)- Question 1- I think the thing that stuck out to me the most was the camel spider that you told us about that is just like out of a movie.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2- I think it affected him in all of the healths: Physically because he had to be fit and in shope for war. Mentally because he had to havethe mental mind set to do what he had to do like shoot a man if he had to. Socially because he would have all these excperienses to share with other people. Spiritually because he and God were pulled closer together and God was there when he needed him the most.