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.
May God bless his soul. May God comfort yours.
Dear Jesus, please help us all express our gratitude to this man. Please stay with him and bring him strenght and peace.
Thank you, Fuzzy. I am one of those three million. :)
Sounds similar to my father-in-law's service as a combat engineeer in Italy. These guys did incredible things under the worst conditions. We lost him last year right before Thanksgiving. My prayers and gratitude to your step-dad for his faithful service.
As soon as I read this my heart warmed. Your step-dad will be in the best place he can be and you will see him again. That is the best comfort a child can have.
I am praying that Wendall has a peaceful passing and that the hope in Jesus will comfort all who love him. Just remember that he is going home. He is obviously a wonderful man.
I know the pain, but I also know the relief in knowing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the end, all is well. God bless you all, Ol' Sox.
My God bless your step-father.
My father died this afternoon. He, too, was a veteran and a wonderful man. Thanks for posting this tribute to your Dad.
I pray that Wendall is comforted and at peace during this time. He is a great American hero.
Prayers for your family and your Step-Dad as he steps into eternity.
Prayer sent for Wendall and his family.
Prayers done and hang in there...
God bless you and comfort you in your time of loss.
Our prayers for a peaceful transit by this righteous warrior. Paradise awaits him on the other side and the hosts of Heaven will rejoice at their reunion.
so sorry for you loss
praying for you and him
Thank you very much. As you can imagine, it's been a very long day.
so sorry to hear the news . prayers for you and your family
God Bless Him.
You have them.
yes lost my Mom in 98 . you never forget them
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