“Sometimes you will order your people to attack their enemies. Then they will pray to you. Answer their heavenly prayers and give them victory.” -- II Chronicles 6:34-35
Leo arrived at the airport early this morning – as he has for the last 24 Veteran’s Days. His crumpled khaki slacks and faded blue shirt were outshined by a sharp blue sport jacket adorned with several medals pinned on the lapel.
His thining silver hair belied the fact that he was 83 years ‘young.’ He wasn’t fat, maybe a few extra pounds around the waist, but what would you expect from someone who had spent his last sixty-some years in a wheelchair?
He then directed them to the proper line. "God Bless your safe return, friend," Leo said humbly. Then he slowly raised a hand withered by arthritis, and saluted each one.
"Thanks, sir," the soldiers would often say, sometimes saluting in return as they moved on.
Leo often reflected on the many soldiers who had become disabled like him. Their sacrifices merit respect - their courage became the conduit to freedom and with that, opened a path for the Gospel. He was immensely proud to be an American.
Then his thoughts would drift to the horrors of war. He recalled silently walking single file past troops returning from the front. The shock and horror on their faces told it all. They were returning from Hell . . . Leo was walking into it.
On one such patrol, they rounded a huge boulder surprising two teenaged enemy troops busily devouring foul smelling flesh from the head of a horse. Terrified, their frail, quaking bodies shook wildly in their ill-fitting uniforms. They scrambled monkey-style beyond reach. No shots were exchanged.
He’d never been able to erase the stench of melting human and animal flesh that still assaults his senses. The worst was the Order that day to bury the dead ‘kids’ rotting in their fox holes. First salvage the dog tags, turn them face down and push them deeper into the wet clay, and cover them with lye and cold dirt. His greatest fear had always been being buried on foreign soil, never to go home . . . not even as a corpse.
Most of us will never experience the atrocities of war. For the brave that did – we thank you this Veteran's Day. May God Bless you richly today and every single day.
Father, we pray for the day when all people - Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and others, will melt their weapons into productive tools. Please protect our brave soldiers in the war against terrorism, and encourage their families with Your grace. Amen
