During a recent thunderstorm here in the DC area, a young NCO was headed home with his wife and children when they came upon a car covered by a fallen tree. The woman driving the car was trapped inside. Although other cars went on by as the storm raged, this Soldier stopped and sent his family on to safety while he went to the woman’s aid. Due to the tree and the damage to the car he was unable to free her, but stayed at her side until the needed help arrived. As a consequence of his actions, he was later honored.
Like many of our Soldiers, he humbly preferred to remain unrecognized, because as he told me, ‘‘I didn’t do it to be seen.”
This Soldier truly exemplifies the Army values of self-service and personal courage.
In order to help him graciously receive this well-earned praise I told him a story that I read in the March 31, 1985 issue of Our Daily Bread.
In her book, ‘‘Today’s Good Word,” Ethel B. Sutton told the story of a young British soldier who was blinded in battle. He was a trained musician, so after he recovered from his injury he spent much of his time playing the piano for the wounded who had been sent to a London hospital. He sometimes wondered if anyone was paying attention to his music, for he often heard the tramping of feet through the corridors as visitors came and went. But he never let this distract him. He always put his best effort into his playing, hoping music would encourage and comfort those who were depressed by their painful injuries.
One day when he paused to rest, he heard somebody nearby heartily clapping his hands. Turning his sightless eyes in that direction, he asked with a smile, ‘‘Who are you?”
‘‘I am your king!” was the reply.
Today, all across our world, the military personnel of these United States of America on numerous occasions perform selfless acts requiring personal courage for the benefit of others. They do so without looking to see if they will receive a pat on the back or applause from the media. They do so because their moral fiber cries out to them that someone needs to step forth and take action. They move forward oftentimes at their own peril. Even though we may never know or hear their story, be assured that the God of Heaven knows and will not forget.
‘‘For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:10)
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