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 sent
Prayers that Wendall passes easily, and that those of you who will miss him so much find comfort.
Prayers for a gentle passing from this grandson of a Pacific theater combat engineer, soldier, and brother in Christ.
***THE MANSIONS OF THE LORD*** from the movie "We Were Soldiers"
To fallen soldiers let us sing Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing Our broken brothers let us bring To the Mansions of the Lord
No more bleeding, no more fight No prayers pleading through the night Just divine embrace, eternal light In the Mansions of the Lord
Where no mothers cry and no children weep We will stand and guard though the angels sleep All through the ages safely keep The Mansions of the Lord
I join you in your prayer for Grampa. Treasure this time left, your devotion and love for him will sustain you in the times to come.
A good and faithful servant...May he recieve his reward.
Prayers going out, bless your Father in Law and he will be at peace with the lord.
E-prayers to a true American hero. Godspeed to your family.
My sincere thanks and heartfelt prayers to another member of the Greatest Generation.
Prayers lifted for all of you. May you find peace and comfort through God's grace during this difficult time.
We would all be so fortunate to lead such a life.
May the Lord welcome His servant home.
Lord, receive a hero into your arms and comfort his family with wonderful memories.
I lost my Dad 4 years ago. He served in the USMC in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. We have a free republic thanks to the sacrifice of our parents. Please accept my condolences to your family and my sincere thanks to your stepdad.
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