Posted on 09/11/2004 8:20:23 PM PDT by Ol' Sox
My step-dad, Wendall, is dying in the hospital tonight. He has lived a good long life, has suffered much over the last two years and is ready to move on. He's had the opportunity to tell each of us in the family good-bye, knows Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and is as well prepared to pass on as any man I've ever met.
Wendall was a Sergeant in the 296th Combat Engineer Battalion, VII US Corps during WWII. He landed at Normandy on D+2 and wound up at Bad Berka, Germany at the end of the war. He had never spoken of his service until one day about three years ago. While watching a football game together, he suddenly began to talk, and three hours later, had recounted his World War II experience. I got an atlas out and took notes.
He saw combat and built bridges. Carentan, Sedan, Bouillon, Florenville, Verviers, Monschau, Bad Berka, Buchenwald, Berlin. He was stationed close to Malmedy and remembered the dread he felt when he learned about the massacre during the Battle of the Bulge. He entered the Buchenwald concentration camp the day after it was liberated. His unit helped to take the residents of Bad Berka to Buchenwald. Under orders, they turned this area over to the Russians and moved on to Berlin, where I've heard that they entered the city three days before any other American unit.
Tonight, I ask for your prayers for this good man, who served his country with honor, his family with steadfastness and love, and God with a humble and generous spirit.
Prayers for a brave old hero and his family.
God bless you all and thank you for you prayers for this good, good man.
Prayers offered for you and your family. Be comforted that he is with the Lord and that one day there'll be a reunion.
God Bless him. MacArthur said 'Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away'. They only fade away because what they achieved, remains.
Thank you for your brave service, God Speed. Prayers for your whole family.
I'm sorry for your loss, Fracas. Prayers and thanks to your warrior father. Prayers of comfort for you and your family.
Amen brother, My Dad and all my uncles were in it too. They saved the world!! Prayers said.....
prayer bump
Prayers on the way.
Prayers now and always; whenever I thank a Veteran. I hope that knowing how much FReepers appreciate his service for our freedom will give you comfort and help you remember to smile when you think of your step-dad. May God bless Wendall and keep him close.
Take care, OS. It's your turn now to carry the banner forward to the next generation.
I'm so sorry, Ol' Sox. Please know you and your family are in my prayers.
Essayons!
I am so glad for Wendall! To step from this weary world into the loving arms of Christ! May God embrace you and your family and give you strength and patience to wait out the time til you all see Wendall again.
Prayer Ping!
Prayers sent.
God bless and love him and your whole family.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.