It was about this time of year in 1945. Thousands of troops from all
around the world began pouring back into the United States. Many of
these had been away for years, involved in war on one side of the
world or another. Some had enlisted during the 1930’s and had been
nearing their release from duty when the Japanese attacked Pearl
Harbor on December 7, 1941. All discharges were put on hold when the
country officially went to war and their commitments had stretched
longer and longer. Others, disturbed by the ravages of Hitler,
Mussolini, and Franco in Europe had gone to fight over there and then
had been absorbed into the U.S. military after the declaration of war
by our government.
There were great fears of espionage and counter intelligence during
those years and all communications were carefully censored. Therefore
the families and friends of the troops knew almost nothing of their
whereabouts or activities during those years of vicious battles,
prolonged sieges, and mind-numbing vigilance. Men were wounded in
action, treated, recuperated, and continued on to fight another day
without the knowledge of any of their loved ones. Some were decorated
for heroic action, others acted just as heroically and their actions
were unnoticed.
When the troops arrived back in the USA their thoughts were to get
back to some kind of normal life, to make up for the lost years. In
the huge surge of discharges many mistakes were made on discharge
papers and records but very few concerned themselves over details like
that, they just wanted to get home. Most of the civilian population
too had been very much a part of the war effort for years and were
just as anxious to be done with it all and to get on with life. Very
little fanfare then was made of the return of the troops, there was
just a sense of relief that it was finally all over. There was frenzy
of weddings, and soon after a baby boom, like the world had never
seen. Life went on.
In Rochester, Minnesota a local man has become concerned lately over
the fact that the men and women who gave so much in that great
struggle of World War II to give and maintain freedom from tyranny
around the world had never received any corporate welcome and thanks
from the people who owed them so much. Those veterans are dying now at
a very rapid rate and he feels that something should be done before
they are all gone. He organized a special day for a large group of
veterans living in southeast Minnesota, flying them to Washington,
D.C. for a tour and reception, and then returning the same night. I
had the privilege Saturday night, October 10, of being one of those at
the airport to welcome them home. There was a bagpipe corps playing,
many color guards from various veterans’ groups, many balloons and
banners, and many friends and families applauding as these old
veterans came through the terminal. More than a few tears were shed as
those men and women whose feats had gone unrecognized for so long were
publicly welcomed and thanked.
We occasionally hear of another veteran of that long-ago war receiving
at last the medal that he or she was entitled to, sometimes
posthumously. We don’t hear of the unshed tears for the sights,
sounds, smells and sufferings that were endured and could never be
recounted. My dad, a survivor of Pearl Harbor, spoke very, very little
of his experiences. My mom’s family only learned of the exploits and
of the location and manner of the death of my uncle, a decorated hero,
months after he was shot. As I said, recognition came late, if ever.
Mistakes were made and records were lost after World War II, just like
after every other war. The discharge papers of both of my grandfathers
who fought in World War I were incorrect, just as mine from Viet Nam
are. There are, and have been, many unsung heroes.
In Hebrews 11 we are reminded of the stories of a number of well-known
characters from the Old Testament. We know somewhat of their feats and
we are told they looked forward to future reward. Then we are told of
others whose names are not recounted, who suffered greatly and died in
obscurity. At the end of that chapter we are told that God still has
something for them, along with us who serve Him today.
In the book of Revelation we read of the Book of Life. Jesus Christ
owns that book and only He controls whose names are there. If your
name is there you will spend eternity with Him in His Father’s house.
If your name is not there you will be tormented forever in the
presence of God and His holy angels because you rejected that which
Jesus Christ did for you when He suffered and died for your sins. We
also read of other books in which are recorded our deeds, both good
and bad. In Heaven those deeds done through faith in Jesus Christ will
be rewarded. In Hell those deeds done in sin and unbelief will be
punished. There will be no mistakes in the records and none of them
will be lost. Do you look forward to the opening of the books with
anticipation, or with dread? As I think on these things I am reminded
of that old song that sings out: It will be worth it all, when we see
Jesus.
We are presently in Rochester, MN and it is snowing. We will be
speaking to kids in AWANA here Tuesday night and then plan to be in a
Bible Study near Winner, SD Wednesday. Next Saturday we plan to attend
the wedding of LaVon LaBrier in Murdo, SD and then be in three
churches on Sunday before going on to Hot Springs for the beginning of
the missions conference at Cornerstone Bible Institute on Monday.
Thank you for your prayers as we travel and speak in these different
places. Pray that God would stir the hearts of many to serve Him,
looking forward to that day of reward in Heaven.
At RGBI plans are being made now for four student teams who will
travel to Mexico over the Thanksgiving holiday. They will be
ministering to many people while there. Please pray that God would
prepare their hearts even as they prepare their dramas, musical
presentations and messages.
In Christ,
–
Bill and Sandi Graf
4300 S US Hwy 281
Edinburg, TX 78539
