In Honor of Veteran's Day

The Big Red One - First Infantry Division - a true account of WWII

During World War II there were many young soldiers. One of those soldiers was Frank Johnson. When the war ended Frank wrote a book called 'One More Hill'. One of the soldiers mention extensively in the book is my husband's uncle Tech/Sgt. Gerald Henderson. Gerald was killed D-day. My husband Jerry was born 2 days later and named after Gerald.

Frank's book was recently published again and is now available at http://firstdivisionmuseum.org/publications/ordering/default.aspx#one_more_hillt

This edition contains some maps and photos not in the older copy that I have.

Frank passed away this year, so we are minus on more soldier from WW2. 

Here is the article about Tech. Sgt Gerald Henderson - Lieutenant Johnsons good friend and my husbands uncle.

Gerald’s Story – A Tribute to Valor
This soldier really did lay down his life for his friends.
By Barbara Henderson

John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

June 6, 1944... So long ago, on a beach so far from the heartland of America, the course of history was changed. The liberation of Europe began, and the life of T/Sgt. Gerald Henderson ended.
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This is the report of his death given when the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded/accepted by his family after the war ended.

“For extraordinary heroism against the enemy on June 6, 1944, in Normandy France, on D-day, Technical Sergeant Henderson, while exposed to intense enemy artillery, mortar, machine-gun, and small arms fire, heroically supervised the unloading of men and vehicles from his landing craft. Observing that a vehicle from an adjoining landing craft had stalled, he voluntarily drove a truck along the fire swept beech, plunged into the water, and fastened a cable to the vehicle. After towing it safely to shore, he personally carried two wounded occupants to safety and rendered first aid. He returned to the beach and amid bursting shells and devastating small arms fire, courageously continuing his rescue work. While carrying a wounded soldier across the beach to a position of safety a shell landed near this valiant soldier fatally wounding him. His heroic achievements in the initial landing resulted in the saving of many lives and much vital equipment. The self sacrificing devotion to duty, personal bravery and valorous leadership displayed by Technical Sergeant Henderson exemplified the highest tradition of the armed forces. (Auth GO 92, HQ, 21st US Army, 18th infantry, antitank company)”
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I wonder about the men he carried to the safety of the cliffs. I wonder if they knew Gerald in the first place or if they were just strangers in need of help. I wonder if they survived the war. Did they have children already who would have lost their father that day. Were they married? Did their mothers learn that their sons were saved, but Gerald's mother lost her son that day?

And mostly I wonder what these men did with the rest of their lives? Since Gerald's life was cut short so their lives could run a natural course, did they feel any obligation to live their lives in a way that would make Gerald think his sacrifice was worth it that day?

Today, other soldiers are fighting all over the globe. It isn't called a world war this time, but it surely appears to be one. And I know bravery and self sacrifice are not limited to any one generation. There are soldiers today who may wish things were different, but never the less, they will do their duty to the highest measure necessary.  I thank God for these brave soldiers and their sacrifices.

But bravery and self sacrifice are not limited to the battlefield. That is just the obvious place people look for such heroism. In truth, bravery worthy of the highest honor is present all around us, in all levels of society, economics, and cultural variances. The character that allows such bravery to defy extreme adversity is built daily in the lives of men and women and children who just get up and do what is required of them every day.

'One More Hill' is the very appropriate title of the book detailing Frank Johnson's days in the First Infantry Division, and the life of Gerald 'Pappy' Henderson. One more hill could be the theme for anyone facing difficult times and situations. They do their duty, get up, and climb one more hill.  They may be in the military, but they may be from many other professions and callings.  What they have in common is  sense of duty that pulls them forward under the most trying circumstances. 

Most days it isn't that hard. Some days it is very hard. And on that occasional day when doing one's duty seems impossible, the individual who has already set the habit of "just getting the job done" will just get the job done that day as well.

I have heard the question, "Have you thanked a vet today?" asked many times over the years. I suppose the question is supposed to make us think of the price paid for our freedom and the American way of life. Of course veterans deserve our thanks.  But how would you thank the veterans who did not return? A proper tribute is in the way each of us lives our lives. There are three things everyone who lives with the blessing of freedom should do.

First, remember that the freedom of a nation depends on the blessings of God, and the people God uses most often to secure and maintain our freedom are those serving in the military.

Second, only accept the boundaries in our lives that are imposed by God and national laws that do not contradict God's law. This means DO love God, keep the commandments, treat others the way you want to be treated, be moderate, and be modest. It also means DO NOT allow your self to be ruled by political correctness, social acceptability, or peer pressure. These things will only add unnecessary complications to your life and hinder you from doing whatever God actually has for you to do.

Third, lay down your life. Surrender to God. True surrender means agreeing to do what God asks of you before you actually know what it is. Then it means doing what you know to do every day. The husband and father who provides for his family often has to set aside many personal wants and ambitions to do what is best for his family. The mother who cares for her children 24 hours a day has to lay down things she wants to do in order to do what needs to be done. The child who obeys his or her parents will set aside their own desire in order to be obedient. Just do your duty - in full measure. What ever your race is for the day - just do it as well and cheerfully as possible.

In full surrender to God, and consistent completion of duty - you will come to realize that your fulfillment could not be greater, and your joy will only grow greater. You will be taking full advantage of the freedom provided by God, and all those He used to provide your freedom. You will effectively have "thanked a vet" by the way you live your life.

Gerald's Song
Our freedom was bought by soldiers of honor, who sleep in the valley of the shadow of death.
Now weeping endures for the night but God promised, joy comes in the morning with a trump and a shout.

I'll see you tomorrow when the trumpet shall sound, the death song from sorrow to victory resounds.
Grave clothes all changed for white robes and crowns, I'll see you and know you when the trumpet shall sound.

Your face in the picture, your laugh in my mind, all fade and grow dimmer one day at a time.
The words on the tombstone may weather away, but your name is on the Father's hand awaiting that day.

I'll see you tomorrow when the trumpet shall sound, the death song from sorrow to victory resounds. Grave clothes all changed for white robes and crowns, I'll see you and know you when the trumpet shall sound.
Our redemption was bought by God's son the Savior, crucified, buried, but rose up the third day.
Ascended to heaven to be with the Father, but coming back to receive us with a trump and a shout.

I'll see you tomorrow when the trumpet shall sound, the death song from sorrow to victory resounds.
Grave clothes all changed for white robes and crowns, I'll see you and know you when the trumpet shall sound.

I wrote these lyrics - but I need someone to write music to go with the lyrics.
Thanks,

Doubting Christians Have Help Available

Doubting Christians Have Help Available

Barbara Henderson

John the Baptist was a miracle child. He was a gift from God to his parents and to the world.  John was the voice crying in the wilderness.  He heralded the coming of Jesus Christ.  Christ Himself said there was no greater than John the Baptist.

John probably did not look like a gift to the world to most of those looking at him.  He probably looked more like a homeless lunatic.  After all, he lived in the desert instead of town.  His diet may not have been kosher.  Honey is probably kosher, but I don’t know about the locusts.  Besides, kosher or not, bugs is bugs, and most people do not want to eat them.  His clothing certainly left a lot to be desired. He was covered up, but that’s about all you could say for his clothes.  (It is interesting that John’s clothes were the same clothing that Adam and Eve wore – animal skins that required that an innocent animal die.) But, there was something about John…   He preached repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  And people listened to him! They came to him.  They listened.  They followed him right down into the river of Jordan to baptized out of their old religion and into the new religion that John preached was coming.

It is really not speculation to say that John the Baptist’s parents had told him all about his own miraculous birth as well as the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ.  The thing is that while John had the books of the Bible from Genesis through Malachi, he did not have Matthew through Revelation as they had not yet been written.  So, he didn’t have everything necessary to understand the details of events of his exact time. 

Let’s take a look at things from John’s perspective. He knew who he was.  He knew that Jesus was the promised savior.   John had no visions of grandeur.  That was pretty obvious by his lifestyle.  Probably, like Moses, he saw far beyond the material things of the world.  He knew a better world was coming.  He also knew that while he was the prophet of the day, that his following would shrink as the followers of Jesus grew in number.  What John didn’t know was exactly how Jesus was going to bring in the kingdom for which John longed with all his heart.

Then…. Jesus began to preach.  Jesus took some of John’s disciples as His own selected twelve.  And John, well John continued to preach.  His preaching got him thrown into prison.  He was in prison month after weary month.  During his months in prison the demon of doubt assaulted John.  All the things John ‘knew’ about Jesus did not seem to be compatible with the current situation in John’s life.  He was an innocent man.  He preached the unchanging truth of the Holy Scriptures.  He was unjustly imprisoned for telling the truth and calling for repentance.  So, from a human viewpoint, something was not going right!  John may have thought, ‘Well….. mom and dad were old when I was born.  Maybe their thinking was a little bit messed up by the time they got around to telling me that story.  Those who saw the events leading up to my birth are dead or too old to be sure their thinking is clear anymore, so I don’t have anyone to ask.  And Jesus, the story surrounding his birth is a little odd to say the least.  Maybe I just misunderstood something somewhere.’

Of course we don’t have any idea of what was going on in John’s mind.  Maybe it was nothing of the sort.  We do know what John did.  He sent his disciples to ask Jesus.  He didn’t have the Holy Bible complete with the New Testament, but John did have Jesus Himself.  So to deal with his doubt John sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ‘are you the One?  Or should we look for another?’  It may have been that John himself was quite certain that Jesus was the One, and there was no need to look for another.  His disciples may have been the ones doubting and in need of assurance.  In that case John was doing what all strong believers should do.  He sent his disciples directly to the source.  It may have been a little bit of doubt on both John’s part and the part of the disciples.  The outcome is the same either way.  John’s disciples went to Jesus and asked the question, ‘Look Jesus.  John is in prison, and they aren’t very nice to him there.  In fact they hate him.  So we just want to know.  Tell us the truth. Are you the One, or is there another we are to look for?’  Instead of speaking an answer Jesus showed them the answer.  They saw Jesus do miracles that could only be the work of God.  So, the disciples of John had their own doubts put to rest, and they took the news to John who would have been comforted tremendously by what they told him. 

And here we are today.  Christians know Jesus Christ is the Savior promised to the world in Genesis.  He is the One.  We know it.  We trust our eternal destination to Him.  Through Him, we know we will enter the kingdom of heaven and spend eternity in the presence of God.  What a relief!

But, here we are, stuck in this present reality.  Our most perfect day is not a really perfect day.  If we are having a good hair day spent in the company of pleasant people that we love, it is probably also a day where we have to wear our fat jeans and a little extra makeup to cover blotchy patches on our skin.  Or, on that perfect day for a guy, there is probably a little too much grey in the beard for stubble to look cool and there may be a thin spot or receding hair line to go with it.  And there is probably that hangover to go with it.  You know – your belly hangs over your belt and there is no way you can keep your stomach sucked in all day.  And then are the really serious things.  Someone you love is facing a dire situation and that is on your mind even though you are having a good day.  Someone you love is not with you to enjoy you good day.  They may be far away, and they may be so far away they are not even on earth.  There really is no perfect day.  There are always things that may cause us to wonder what God is up to, and potentially to doubt God.  And, we have no disciples that we can send directly to Jesus to ask Him what is going on.  So what are we supposed to do?

We are supposed to do exactly what John did.  We are to go directly to Jesus Christ with the problems, the doubts, and the fears.  We do this through reading the Bible and prayer.  That is how you get through doubt and difficult times.  It never changes.  God is there with comfort.  He is a very present help in times of trouble.  It is often true that while we may not doubt heaven, we doubt our daily bread.  Our doubts can so overwhelm us that we are not able to function.  The sin is to not deal with the doubt.  And the way to deal with is through prayer and Bible Study. 

I read somewhere that our prayers are sometimes not answered because we are using the shotgun approach.  We throw everything at God like the pellets from a shotgun shell, but we really don’t have a specific request.  So, I began to think, ‘What is the most important request that I make to God?  What do I want most when I pray?’  This may not be the most unselfish request I could make, but my most important request at this time is ‘Help me to trust You more.’  That is what I want to do.  Call me slow, but it has taken me this full year up to know to narrow it down to that one request.  I still make all my usual prayer requests, and I know that God hears me.  But trust is the major request.  John the Baptist and his followers were basically asking for the same thing.  They wanted to understand what was going on, but they also wanted to simply trust Jesus to be the One in Charge.  We don’t have to understand it all.  We don’t have to know all the answers.  We simply need to trust God more.  When we don’t know what is going on, when we don’t know why something happened, when we can’t understand current events, we can still have confidence that God knows all the answers and that everything is going according to His plans. 

Barbara

Ps.  Something I thought of regarding John the Baptist is that while he spent a months in prison his death was speedy.  They just chopped off his head and it was over.  He didn’t have to suffer through a crucifixion.  

http://hellogoodday.com

You Find Hope for the Future in God - Not the Goverment

At their very best, elected officials are terrifying people.

They are supposed to do what is right and best for the people they represent within the boundaries of 'what is right according to God Almighty'.

Instead, they forget God, and they forget the people they are supposed to represent. They do what is right in their own eyes. They do what will benefit themselves most of all. For most politicians, their main concern is getting re-elected. For a few, their agenda is far greater in scope than getting re-elected. It is changing the world into the image of man. This group is only to happy to help anyone get elected or re-elected who will go along with their agenda. That is how the current liberal government came about.

The United States has a cesspool of terrifying elected officials. Thievery and corruption are the standards by which they live. They continually call evil good and good evil.

It looks like the American way of life is done for. Those who work will support a growing number of those who don't work. Laws will only apply to those who oppose the socialist agenda of politicians. Politicians believe they have the right to do wrong in order to bring about their own version of right. Everything is relative to their own selfish desires and personal gain. There is no truth that is above what is in their own evil hearts.

There is no way to escape the downward spiral brought about by their corruption and greed

UNLESS...... You simply stop focusing on the current government and instead focus on the Lord God Almighty!

The Bible says, 'The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.' Proverbs 9:25

It is time for Christians to change their focus from elected officials to the God of our salvation. It is time to put our trust in the Lord. This is the path to true safety. This is a better way to live than continually worrying about the agenda of those in Washington.

When a new administration goes into the White House, people tend to look to the government to save them if their candidate is the one going in. If it is not their candidate going into the White House, they tend to look to God to save them. It is better to look to God for salvation ALL the time regardless of who is currently in power. The Lord does not change. Jereiah 29:11 is true for us today just as it was true when Jeremiah wrote it. It says;

'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.'

Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary explains that verse like this.

'We often do not know our own minds, but the Lord is never at an uncertainty. We are sometimes ready to fear that God's designs are all against us; but as to his own people, even that which seems evil, is for good. He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, or the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith; the end he has promised, which will be the best for them.' christnotes.org

To put your trust in the Lord, or to grow your faith in God, requires that He be first in your line of vision. Look at God before you look at the failings of the government. Look at God before you look at the problems in your own life, family, church, or job.

Then, you will find that whatever man or circumstance you may fear is just a small potato in the scheme of things.
Your trust in God will grow.
Your discernment will grow.
Your joy in the Lord will grow.
Your life will be better altogether.

God bless you.

Barbara Henderson

http://hellogoodday.com