Comments on: The Discipline of Remembering http://glenscorgie.com/2008/05/27/the-discipline-of-remembering/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:21:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Bill Steinwedell http://glenscorgie.com/2008/05/27/the-discipline-of-remembering/#comment-710 Bill Steinwedell Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:13:09 +0000 http://glenscorgie.com/2008/05/27/the-discipline-of-remembering/#comment-710 My mentor while at the Naval Academy was a great hero of WWII. He was used greatly by God and affected many for Christ, saving lives--those of his own men whom he led and those whom his men captured. He had a saying, "Least bullets." Shoot to kill with great violence, but once the enemy surrenders or is defeated, treat him will all the dignity of one would like someone to treat a loved one if captured. He challenged soldiers he found 'fleecing' the captured Germans of watches, wedding rings by saying: Would you want your grandfather's watch taken/stolen? When they replied, "Well the guys in the rear will take them if we don't," he responded: "I'll bet you can figure out a way to prevent that." His men helped the POWs hide their stuff in their field jackets etc. He went off the front line, risking court martial to protect a POW when one of his men told him the XO was going to kill one of their captures. To the day he died, German survivors of the war sent him gifts and communicated with him in gratitude. During Vietnam, he confronted the Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot because of the way the drill instructors were teaching the Marines that the enemy were gooks and subhuman. He told them that the Marines needed to respect their enemy. Their arrogance and pride would only set them up to be killed more easily. He began the Officer's Christian Fellowship in the United States on the model of England's Officer's Christian Union. He was a great man. Thanks for listening to these stories of a hero and an example of Christ's love in the midst of the hell of war. My mentor while at the Naval Academy was a great hero of WWII. He was used greatly by God and affected many for Christ, saving lives–those of his own men whom he led and those whom his men captured. He had a saying, “Least bullets.” Shoot to kill with great violence, but once the enemy surrenders or is defeated, treat him will all the dignity of one would like someone to treat a loved one if captured. He challenged soldiers he found ‘fleecing’ the captured Germans of watches, wedding rings by saying: Would you want your grandfather’s watch taken/stolen? When they replied, “Well the guys in the rear will take them if we don’t,” he responded: “I’ll bet you can figure out a way to prevent that.” His men helped the POWs hide their stuff in their field jackets etc. He went off the front line, risking court martial to protect a POW when one of his men told him the XO was going to kill one of their captures. To the day he died, German survivors of the war sent him gifts and communicated with him in gratitude.

During Vietnam, he confronted the Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot because of the way the drill instructors were teaching the Marines that the enemy were gooks and subhuman. He told them that the Marines needed to respect their enemy. Their arrogance and pride would only set them up to be killed more easily. He began the Officer’s Christian Fellowship in the United States on the model of England’s Officer’s Christian Union. He was a great man. Thanks for listening to these stories of a hero and an example of Christ’s love in the midst of the hell of war.

]]> By: John Mustol http://glenscorgie.com/2008/05/27/the-discipline-of-remembering/#comment-114 John Mustol Wed, 28 May 2008 14:30:44 +0000 http://glenscorgie.com/2008/05/27/the-discipline-of-remembering/#comment-114 I join with others in expressing gratitude in remembering those who gave their “last full measure of devotion” in the defense of our nation and of principles of liberty and righteousness. As Fr. Austin has pointed out, Americans, Canadians, British, French, Russians, Ukranians, Chinese, South Africans, Indians, Australians, and people of many other allied nations and groups joined in the effort to rid the world of Axis aggression. If not for them, I would probably not enjoy the freedom and blessings I enjoy today. I am indeed grateful, and I am proud of my country and how she stood with those nations who faced such aggression in their hour of need and of the men and women who sacrificed so much. It was indeed a tragic but pround chapter in our history. I join with others in expressing gratitude in remembering those who gave their “last full measure of devotion” in the defense of our nation and of principles of liberty and righteousness. As Fr. Austin has pointed out, Americans, Canadians, British, French, Russians, Ukranians, Chinese, South Africans, Indians, Australians, and people of many other allied nations and groups joined in the effort to rid the world of Axis aggression. If not for them, I would probably not enjoy the freedom and blessings I enjoy today. I am indeed grateful, and I am proud of my country and how she stood with those nations who faced such aggression in their hour of need and of the men and women who sacrificed so much. It was indeed a tragic but pround chapter in our history.

]]> By: Andy Johnson http://glenscorgie.com/2008/05/27/the-discipline-of-remembering/#comment-106 Andy Johnson Tue, 27 May 2008 15:06:19 +0000 http://glenscorgie.com/2008/05/27/the-discipline-of-remembering/#comment-106 This is a powerful reminder! Thanks for calling us to the discipline of remembrance as it is so easy to be wrapped up in the present and to forget to be grateful. This is a powerful reminder! Thanks for calling us to the discipline of remembrance as it is so easy to be wrapped up in the present and to forget to be grateful.

]]> By: Austin Mansfield http://glenscorgie.com/2008/05/27/the-discipline-of-remembering/#comment-102 Austin Mansfield Tue, 27 May 2008 04:07:17 +0000 http://glenscorgie.com/2008/05/27/the-discipline-of-remembering/#comment-102 Amen, Glen. I was particularly struck by two sentences, "It deepens my desire to live well whenever I remember that my freedom was bought with a price, and did not come cheap. The discipline of remembering keeps all of us grateful." Besides the conscious level intention of remembrance of our fallen service members, I noticed a Christological tie, albeit unintentional (I think). Christ's sacrifice on the cross bought our eternal freedom, at a price that most certainly was not cheap. He endured the onslaught of evil in order to imbue and impute good in us. He could have chosen the easy way, leaving us to fend for ourselves against evil; but he didn't. He chose to sacrifice himself for us. Each week, our own discipline of remembering that sacrifice during our worship services should deepen our desire to live well also. While Memorial Day focuses on our American service members who gave up all their tomorrows so that we might have today, I would ask that we include in our remembrance the Canadian, Australian, British, and other allied soldiers who also gave their ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of the Atlantic, D-Day, and other battles during that war. These brave souls all chose to confront evil in its lair to prevent it from reaching the doorsteps of their loved ones. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13) Grace and Peace, brother. Amen, Glen. I was particularly struck by two sentences, “It deepens my desire to live well whenever I remember that my freedom was bought with a price, and did not come cheap. The discipline of remembering keeps all of us grateful.”

Besides the conscious level intention of remembrance of our fallen service members, I noticed a Christological tie, albeit unintentional (I think). Christ’s sacrifice on the cross bought our eternal freedom, at a price that most certainly was not cheap. He endured the onslaught of evil in order to imbue and impute good in us. He could have chosen the easy way, leaving us to fend for ourselves against evil; but he didn’t. He chose to sacrifice himself for us. Each week, our own discipline of remembering that sacrifice during our worship services should deepen our desire to live well also.

While Memorial Day focuses on our American service members who gave up all their tomorrows so that we might have today, I would ask that we include in our remembrance the Canadian, Australian, British, and other allied soldiers who also gave their ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of the Atlantic, D-Day, and other battles during that war. These brave souls all chose to confront evil in its lair to prevent it from reaching the doorsteps of their loved ones.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

Grace and Peace, brother.

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