As our national celebration of Memorial Day approaches, it is a special time to remember those who have fought and those who have given the supreme sacrifice for our country’s freedom. We certainly take all that they gave for granted many days. I would encourage you to attend a local program planned in the area to give honor and remembrance to those who have gone before us. Take time to walk or drive through the local cemeteries and give special attention to the flags decorating the soldiers’ graves. It is certainly a time for us to give thanks for so much that they fought for.
A couple weeks ago on a Friday night, our grandson, Brayton, asked us to watch the movie Hacksaw Ridge with him. We had seen it before, but he had not. It is an R rated film that he and his mom had checked out of the library, and the truth and blood of war is graphically displayed while trying to explain the gruesomeness of war itself. This 2016 biographical World War II drama is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, an American combat medic who refused to carry or use a firearm weapon of any kind because of his religious beliefs.
He registered as a Conscientious Objector, but had every intention to serve along side those who did carry weapons. He was the first Conscientious Objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor for service above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Okinawa. It is an extra ordinary true story of a man who saved seventy-five men without firing a shot or carrying a gun. This movie, directed by Mel Gibson, was based on a 2004 documentary, The Conscientious Objector. That evening we not only spent time with our grandson, but gained a new appreciation of all the suffering and sacrifice so many of our servicemen endured for our freedom. Those kinds of movies are not easy to watch, but they do stir up inside of us a need to thank and appreciate what others have given.
My father was a World War II veteran. In my early days growing up he didn’t like to talk about his war experiences. Later, especially when he and mom lived with us, we had some of those conversations when he would talk about events that happened to him or his buddies. One friend was killed when he stood up beside him in a trench in France. My dad was a soldier in the United States Army, G Company, 341st Infantry Regiment, 86th Division. I have a copy of the book of memoirs from their “Blackhawk” unit, and it is fascinating reading, with quite a few bits of humor and sarcasm thrown in. Sometimes in the quiet morning hours when I just sit in the light of the sunrise, I pick up that book. When I see into the souls of the men who spent life with my dad, I once again give thanks for their bravery and courage to “go away” and give what they did.
For many years my mom and dad had a yearly reunion with his G Company and their wives. These get-togethers were held all over the United States, even at some of the men’s homes. One man, George Stertz, lives in Eagan, MN. He hosted one of the reunions at his home there. A couple years ago, when my dad was in Maple Lawn, my mom and I went to visit him. His wife had passed,and his daughter and grandson lived with him now. What fun it was to watch he and my mom reminisce about those days gone by. His house was filled with pictures from his service era, and he took us around to each one, sharing stories behind them. I wonder if he is still living, and I must check on that one of these times when I go up to “the cities”.
To those of you who are veterans, I say thank you. I want to share a few words from our former president, John F. Kennedy:
“ Only in winter can you tell which trees are truly green. Only when the winds of adversity blow can you tell whether an individual or a country has courage and steadfastness.”
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