Our WWII veterans are passing away at an alarming rate. My brother Len recently went to be with the Lord, and his final minutes left me with an image I will never forget. He and I were talking during his last hours on this earth, and at one moment in our conversation, he looked away with a blank stare and wondered aloud, "What will I say to God when he asks me about all those men, women and children I killed during all those bombing missions over Nazi Germany. Cologne, Schweinfurt, Essen....I can still see the flames burning as our B24 circled for home." What a terrible burden to carry through life! I suggested that we were at war, and collateral damage is to be expected. Think of all the cruelty we find in the Holy Bible.
Our WWII veterans are passing away at an alarming rate. My brother Len recently went to be with the Lord, and his final minutes left me with an image I will never forget. He and I were talking during his last hours on this earth, and at one moment in our conversation, he looked away with a blank stare and wondered aloud, "What will I say to God when he asks me about all those men, women and children I killed during all those bombing missions over Nazi Germany. Cologne, Schweinfurt, Essen....I can still see the flames burning as our B24 circled for home." What a terrible burden to carry through life! I suggested that we were at war, and collateral damage is to be expected. Think of all the cruelty we find in the Holy Bible.
What a great tribute to your brother. He honored us all with his sacrifice and service to our country and the War effort.
ReplyDeleteRIP.
Tom: A wonderful tribute to your brother and a hero. To me all the men and women who served are heros to all of us. Rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteHI TOM...IT'S A SAD DAY WHEN YOU LOSE A BROTHER WHO CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO OUR EFFORTS IN WORLD WAR II. I'M STILL AROUND BUT BOTH MY BROTHERS ARE GONE AND THEY HAD THEIR DAYS OF CONTRIBUTUON. MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO HELPED IN MANY WAYS DURING TIMES OF NEED. BEST REGARDS.
ReplyDeleteIt's said that old aviators don't pass on ... they've simply gone west.
ReplyDeleteEd Millerick