Where does faith go when the blue skies disappear, when battles rage and God seems strangely absent? Retired Col. Jeff O'Leary examines this question and more in Brave Hearts Under Red Skies: Stories of Faith Under Fire. Whether it’s the struggle of the Continental Army at Valley Forge, the Union Army at Gettysburg, a lone American soldier storming German guns during World War I, or any of the selfless heroes acting out their faith in the past up to modern tragedies like September 11, readers will be comforted with the fact, that like the Apostle Paul said in Romans, “tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, hope.” 

But this is not merely a book about the red fires of battle – this is a book about believers whose trust in God has produced great courage—enough to endure war's crucible. O'Leary has gathered a powerful array of personal war stories from America's beginnings through September 11th. These stories reveal a powerful and affirming theme of authentic faith under fire, spanning more than two centuries.

O’Leary, a Legion of Merit holder, longtime member of the United States Air Force, humanitarian, and consultant for Fox Television, understands what it means to trust in God in faith-trying circumstances. While serving as a Peacekeeper in Northern Israel during the Gulf War, he survived a nightly Iraqi missile barrage and a café bombing while evacuating innocent civilians. O’Leary recently spoke with Crosswalk.com about war, spiritual struggles and Veterans Day.

Crosswalk.com:  First, can you address why is it so important for the nation to observe Veterans Day?

O’ Leary:  Because we’re a nation with a very short memory. We’re a nation of sound bites, of moments, and we quickly move on and we forget. We forget what God has done and the blessings that we’ve been given and the price that has been paid by so many millions of people that came before us. And that we would not be here today standing under a free sky without their sacrifice.