Monday, May 30, 2016
Memorial Day-Bravery
I just finished reading The Lost Airman by Seth Meyerowitz.
It's the true story of an American top-turret gunner, Arthur Meyerowitz, Seth's grandfather.
On his second mission, in a B-24 Liberator, the plane was shot down over occupied France. He was one of only two men on that crew who escaped death or immediate capture after parachuting to the ground.
The bravery and courage of not only Arthur, but of the French people, especially the famed French Resistance, was not only inspiring but extremely challenging.
I'm familiar with the Norwegian Resistance from my family stories. Of men who skied and hiked over the mountains at night, for contraband rifles and guns. Returning in the dark to climb trees near their summer house, and hang the weapons high in the branches. Out of sight to all except those who hid them. The Nazis hid many of their U-boats in the deep water of the fjords on the coast.
There was a network of brave and courageous men and women who provided safe houses in southern France, shielding fallen US and British airmen from the Gestapo and Vichy government. The journey to freedom was not only perilous to the airmen but of those that hid them And many of them, not only the Resistance fighters but local village people, were tortured, beaten, starved, sent to concentration camps and killed, because of their kindness and involvement.
So this Memorial Day I would like to give tribute to those who have given their lives during these wars. And also to all those civilians who have given their lives to protect them, encourage and guide them and help them.
I hope that I'm as brave and courageous as those I've read about.
The Bible says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
It's the true story of an American top-turret gunner, Arthur Meyerowitz, Seth's grandfather.
On his second mission, in a B-24 Liberator, the plane was shot down over occupied France. He was one of only two men on that crew who escaped death or immediate capture after parachuting to the ground.
The bravery and courage of not only Arthur, but of the French people, especially the famed French Resistance, was not only inspiring but extremely challenging.
I'm familiar with the Norwegian Resistance from my family stories. Of men who skied and hiked over the mountains at night, for contraband rifles and guns. Returning in the dark to climb trees near their summer house, and hang the weapons high in the branches. Out of sight to all except those who hid them. The Nazis hid many of their U-boats in the deep water of the fjords on the coast.
There was a network of brave and courageous men and women who provided safe houses in southern France, shielding fallen US and British airmen from the Gestapo and Vichy government. The journey to freedom was not only perilous to the airmen but of those that hid them And many of them, not only the Resistance fighters but local village people, were tortured, beaten, starved, sent to concentration camps and killed, because of their kindness and involvement.
So this Memorial Day I would like to give tribute to those who have given their lives during these wars. And also to all those civilians who have given their lives to protect them, encourage and guide them and help them.
I hope that I'm as brave and courageous as those I've read about.
The Bible says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
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