TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO-WAWV) — At least three days a week, David Dragon works out at Planet Fitness. The World War II Marine veteran amazes everyone he meets. They all want to know his secret to a long healthy life, but his answer is something much greater than even his service to the nation.
The 99 year old enjoys his workouts, often hitting the treadmill and more. But training is only part of the reason he’s at the gym. You see, Rev. David is on a mission, has been for decades.
“People are coming to me now through Planet Fitness, they want to talk to me and they were hungry for the Lord, said Dragon.
Before he ever went to a gym, before he was a Baptist minister, Dragon grew up during the
difficult years of the Depression. When World War II came along, it was an opportunity to serve the nation.
Admittedly, the former Marine Sgt, wasn’t a Christian, when he was sent to fight in Okinawa.
But looking back, he truly believes God had plans for him and spared him from death. Like when his ship, hauling explosive airplane fuel was hit by enemy fire.
“We should have got killed, they couldn’t believe we made it all the way to Okinawa, said Dragon.
Once on Okinawa, his skills as an Corsair mechanic kept him off the front lines, where so many
fellow Marines were killed.
“God saw the pattern he said I’m going to save that boy, that’s my boy,” Dragon said.
After the war, it was back to Indiana and his wife Ginny. The two were married two days before he shipped out for combat. He says it was great be back home, but life was very, very hard.
“My wife and I got so hungry we could find nothing,” said Dragon.
But things changed dramatically when Jenny accepted Christ and David wanted to follow her.
“We’ve tried everything else, we’re going to try the Bible,” remembered Dragon.
And so David and Ginny began a lifelong commitment to their faith. Through the years, he had several jobs including many years at General Telephone.
But his real job, his passion is preaching. For decades he brought people to the faith at several churches, and by his personal testimony.
“All the Lord wanted out of me was my lips,” said Dragon.
After 72 years of marriage Ginny passed away a few years ago, and David misses her.
But since her death, he has discovered a renewed passion for preaching.
So many people ask him about his secret to a long and healthy life, it’s this.
“I’ve asked the lord I’m a Christian and I love the Lord and the Lord loves me, we’re
buddies and we work together and I just point people to Jesus, exclaimed Dragon.
His answer and his example of how to live has changed the lives of many people. And so he is driven to keep witnessing, every day.
“I’m just beginning to live, because there’s too many souls out there that are looking for me, and the Lord must love me
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