He stood there on that battlefield; the bodies of his lifeless friends surrounded him. The once ocean blue, consumed in red. As he held his weapon in his hands, until he too was pierced with bullets. He laid there, unconscious. A medic came upon him, though left him there for dead, as he lay surrounded by his comrades who too, fought so hard. Though that’s not the end of his story. Another soldier, we don’t know his name, saw signs of life. He would then be taken to a hospital, comatose with no name. Yet, still a heartbeat and breath in his lungs. After some time, his eyes awakened and the soldier with no name, could take account of who he was; my grandpa. Sometime shortly after this ordeal he was discharged. This was World War 2. Fast forward a little while later he would marry my grandma. Then, they would have children. Then one of those children, would have me and I would have my children. All thanks most importantly to God, but also to the man who saw life in the middle of a battlefield and refused to let my grandpa pass on it. If I could have thanked him, I would have. It is easy to give up on people during dark times. Though if there is a heartbeat, if there is some breath in their lungs, we must not give up on them. Friend, in life, even if not in warfare, we go through things. We must help each other through it. We must fight for one another and not leave each other deserted in our time of need. My grandpa and all his comrades, and that unknown soldier who saved my grandpa are all heroes. God is always looking out for us. Though sometimes we are called to be His hands and feet and help carry others in their time of need. I am here because someone carried my grandpa off that battlefield and to safety. My whole family is here because of those that did not give up on him, in the middle of war. May we love each other and be there for one another. For that soldier didn’t just carry my grandpa, his action helped carry many generations of life. May our actions of love and care leave a ripple that helps others long after the war is over.

Erin Fitts-Brower

John 15:13 NIV

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Proverbs 17:17 NIV

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

John 13:34-35 NIV

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”