“People discuss change on this world, change on this group,” Col. Charles Ward advised Daleville Excessive Faculty graduating seniors. “However people, it begins with you—every and everybody of you.”
An Ozark native who retired April 30 after some three many years of public service, Ward served most not too long ago because the Alabama Regulation Enforcement Company Division of Public Security Director.
He was the keynote speaker on the Baccalaureate Service for the DHS graduating class hosted by Daleville Baptist Church Sunday, Might 23.
The service started with a welcome from the DHS Senior Class President Cameron Giles and Daleville Baptist Church Pastor Jim Peters and an invocation by Rev. Invoice Mansfield, pastor on the Daleville Meeting of God.
DHS graduating seniors Storm Turley and Shakyra Pollard gave the Previous and New Testomony readings and particular music was supplied by graduating seniors “Alana Gordon and the Senior Class Singers.”
Following their acapella rendition of “Lean on me,” Ward advised these attending the service that he knew the group was occurring an expert musical efficiency tour and that he was volunteering to be their bus driver.
Ward was appointed ALEA’s Division of Public Security Appearing Director in November 2016 after which Director in Might 2017. He served as a member of ALEA/DPS since 1985, working his means up the ranks from Freeway Patrol. Ward additionally spent a while in Protecting Providers and the Workplace of Inspection.
In Might 2015, Ward was promoted to Freeway Patrol Main. He was acknowledged for main the Dothan Publish in DUI arrests in 1986; was named 1987 Trooper of the Yr by the Dothan Optimist Membership; and was named the 2005 Alabama Regulation Enforcement Officer of the Yr by the Alabama Legal professional Common. Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Ward in Jan. 11, 2019, to the Alabama Peace Officers Requirements and Coaching Fee.
“Forty-one years in the past I used to be sitting in Ozark in a service identical to this questioning what I used to be going to do with the remainder of my life,” Ward stated. “In case you had advised me how far I used to be going to maneuver in my life, I’d have advised you you have been loopy. God has helped me each step of the best way.
“Start and finish every day in prayer,” Ward suggested. “You are able to do nice issues with Jesus in your facet. Y’all can change the world.”
Quoting from the Bible E-book of Luke, chapter 12, verse 48, Ward reminded the soon-to-be graduates that “To whom a lot is given, a lot is required.
“I’m standing right here taking a look at you proper now and I don’t know if I’m seeing the subsequent president of america, mayor, police or hearth chief. I could be taking a look at someone who comes up with the subsequent remedy for most cancers,” he advised the seniors. “Don’t promote your self brief. Y’all have one thing to be happy with. You got here by faculty at a tough time. Simply keep in mind Jesus loves you, keep in mind that for your self.”
A self-described “easy man,” Ward stated that the music “Jesus loves me,” has been a relentless in his life.
“I used to be saved once I was 9 years previous and this one music I’ve carried with me each step of the best way,” he stated. “In case you belief in Jesus, he’ll lead and information you. He’ll open doorways for you that you just didn’t assume you have been going to have the chance to undergo.
“You most likely questioning why I’m telling you all this,” Ward stated. “As a result of it’s straightforward to get saved however the true check goes to be whether or not you may endure. That’s what I’m going to problem every and everybody of you. Keep the course, don’t stop and by no means surrender. You be the optimistic affect.
“In case you imagine in your self and have dedication and pleasure and by no means stop, you’ll be a winner,” Ward stated quoting famend College of Alabama Soccer Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. “The value of victory is excessive however so are the rewards.
“Might God bless you,” the longtime regulation officer added. “And should God do nice issues in your life.”
