Canvas tents are no match for mortars. If you want to be saved, you need a bunker!

Army Infantry Specialist Daniel Paul Unger knew the importance of a bunker. A week before his death at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, he wrote, “There was a mortar explosion inside the camp not far from where we were. Since we were IRF (Immediate Reaction Force), we all ran for our gear and vehicles. (That’s the ironic thing about us. Normal people would go hide but we all ran out into the middle of everything to go look for the attackers.) More and more explosions were coming in now and I could see shrapnel flying around. I was running to my Humvee as I was pulling my vest on and slapping in a magazine…When I jumped in, I remember praying, ‘Lord, please get me back to my family.’ As we were leaving camp, a total of fifteen mortars landed inside this time…The next day, they confirmed we killed a two-man RPG team.” Other than the IRF team, everyone ran to the safety of the bunkers and were saved.

A week later, Daniel was assigned to provide on-base armed escort for a group of Iraqi contractors doing plumbing and electrical work. When the first mortar came in at 3:30 PM, everyone “hit the deck.” After the first explosion, all the soldiers did what they were trained to do, they ran for the safety of the bunkers. All but SPC Unger.

The Iraqi civilian contractors appeared afraid and bewildered. Daniel ran to them, yelled at them, got behind them and shoved them in front of himself toward the safety of the bunker as the second mortar landed. As shrapnel flew and other mortars approached, Daniel got the Iraqis to the bunker and, in the words of the Commanding Officer, the Captain, “Once the attack started, Daniel placed his own well being in jeopardy by making sure the civilian workers went inside the protective bunker before he did.” Then the third mortar hit! Daniel was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge. The two Iraqis he “herded” to the bunker were saved.
No terrorist took Daniel Unger’s life from him. The Fourth Degree Black Belt and four-year starting center fielder was, arguably, the fastest runner on the base. From all accounts, Daniel could have made it into the safety of the bunker with the rest of the men. This licensed minister chose not to do so in order to save some by giving his own life and blood so they could live. The Bible says, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Daniel’s life wasn’t taken, he laid it down for his friends: for those he was assigned to guard to be saved, for the Iraqi people to be free from tyranny and for the American people to remain free.

Years ago, Someone else’s Son came onto the scene. He, like Daniel, was greatly loved by His Father. Nobody took that Son’s life from Him either; He gave it willingly. He said, “I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father” (John 10:17-18). Yes, Jesus Christ, the only Son of His heavenly Father, came and willingly laid down His life “for His friends,” for the sins of the world--for you—so that you could come through the mortar fields of life to safety in the bunker of God. He gave His life and blood so you could live and be free from the tyranny of sin.

You never have to be “good enough” to earn your place of safety in the bunker of God, the place the Bible calls heaven. Eternal life is offered to you as a free gift: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). It wasn’t good enough for the local contractors to hear Daniel shouting to them to be saved. It wasn’t good enough for these Iraqi civilians to believe that Daniel knew the way to their freedom from the falling mortars. They had to be willing to trust Daniel, let him lead them to the bunker and get inside!

And what about you? If you hear God speaking to your heart to turn to Him, are you willing at this moment to be saved from the mortar field of life—and death--by trusting in Jesus Christ, following Him to the bunker of God and letting Him get you safely inside?

The mortars of life are falling around you now and there is no time to lose. Pray this prayer now to get into the bunker of God:

Dear Jesus, I have sinned against You and I am truly sorry. Please forgive me. I know that You willingly gave Your life and blood so I can live and be free from the tyranny of sin. I believe you died for me and rose again from the dead so I could follow You into the safety of the bunker of God. I place my trust in You alone and will follow You from this day forward.
© 2004 Pastor Marc Unger.

If you need help with this most important spiritual decision, please contact:

Pastor Marc Unger
239 West Pine Street
Exeter, CA 93221
559-592-6610
drmarcunger@verizon.net

Please visit the website created in memory of Daniel at http://DanielUnger.com

"The Bunker" is available in a color, glossy, tri-fold brochure for your distribution at 20 cents each plus postage. Please contact us via "Contact Information" on the menu for orders via E-mail, regular mail or phone. God bless you.

Hero's Memorial service at Camp Kalsu, Iraq. May 28, 2004.

Flag flying at half-mast for our hero at Camp Kalsu Iraq. Four of our dear heroes stand watch. Our hearts are at half-mast but we're free! (See, "Half-Mast: Daniel's Song.")