By Van Yandell
Ephesians 1: 7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
Howard and I met at the local coffee shop in our little town in Western Kentucky. He was a World War II veteran and had served in the Normandy invasion, June 6, 1944.
Many young Americans lied about their age in the World War II era to go and fight for their country. Howard hinted he may have been such a one but never actually confirmed that.
Howard was an original war hero. The word hero has been so misused in recent years it has partially lost its dynamics. The actual meaning of the word “hero” was demonstrated by the allied soldiers on D-Day.
A “hero” is defined as “A person that fights adversity through ingenuity, courage or strength to help others.”
Many of those that fought in World War II preferred not to talk about their experiences. Howard didn’t say much but occasionally he would share the horrors of his time spent fighting the Nazis.
I don’t remember the exact year but it was in the early 2000’s, Howard began asking me about traveling in Europe, specifically, France. Having traveled there I had learned a few of the necessary techniques for navigating Europe.
I advised him on money exchange, passports, train stations and train travel. And of course, it would be necessary to learn to use the local transportation systems. Most of the larger cities have subways but local travel in smaller towns is usually by bus or renting a bicycle or motorcycle.
I had a map of Paris I’d brought back from one of my trips. I gave it to him to study. His dream was to go back to the area where he had served in the war. I warned him, it would not be the same and he would probably not even recognize the place.
Howard bought his plane ticket, put on his overalls and hit the road (or the sky). He flew into Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris and went from there. There are two train stations in CDG from which he proceeded south to Lyon (lee-ohn).
I couldn’t help but be concerned for him being in Europe alone. Often the wish that I’d gone with him crossed my mind. Being in Europe in the 21st century is like going to another planet compared to 1944.
The scars from the war are numerous. Vividly recalling my first time in Berlin, walking on a street out of the Berlin Zoo train station, quickly noticed was the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The bombed top of the church has been left as a reminder of the horrors of war. In many places in Berlin bullet holes are visible from the fighting decades ago.
Howard served mostly in the area of Lyon. When he returned, he told me he met a man that drove him around the area. They were together several days and the Frenchman took him to places he would not have otherwise found.
When the day came for Howard to leave for the airport in Paris to return home, he tried to pay the man for the hospitality he’d been shown. Payment was refused and the statement was made, “You and the other Americans that liberated France from the Germans is much more than payment. We are forever grateful.”
Gratitude is a mind-set that has become scarce in the world today. Reasons are numerous but one is that our people are not being taught the tremendous price paid for freedom.
Howard is one of many of the thousands that have laid their lives on the line for everyone; yes, everyone, worldwide. Had the Axis powers of the 1940’s won the war, our world would be a different place and many of us would not be alive today.
During World War II, the Axis powers were a coalition of nations. Germany, Italy, and Japan of over eight decades ago were different from today. Their desire to rule the world under a totalitarian regime cost thousands of lives and the destruction of infrastructure beyond measure.
To even begin to describe the sacrifice of allied military men and women to today’s generation is next to impossible. In the Battle of Normandy there were an estimated 209,000 casualties including killed, wounded and missing. Sad to say, freedom is taken for granted. Some things are not missed until they’re gone.
Seeing a young man missing an arm or leg is a stark reminder of the precious life we have and the opportunities of being an American that few in the world enjoy.
There are only two in the history of the world that have laid down their life for you and me. Those are the military men and women and Christ Jesus.
John 15: 13 “Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends.” The Word of God is powerful! This verse states a fact and a promise.
We must always teach that eternal salvation is attained by a faith based belief (Ephesians 2: 8) in Christ Jesus crucified (Matthew 27: 35) for the remission of sin (1 John 1: 9) and resurrected (Matthew 28: 6).
Howard lived to see his 89th birthday. He passed away in December of 2015. He was one of the great ones.