By the Rev. Dr. Ed Hird
Recently my wife Janice and I had the privilege of attending
a dance at a Legion. For many years, we have
worn a poppy each November 11th. It
helps us remember and reflect on the great sacrifices by so many that we might
be free. It is so easy to take freedom
and security for granted. Freedom and
democracy are a precious gift from God that must never be treated lightly. We wear a poppy ‘lest we forget’.
Each November 11th, we have the privilege of
remembering and giving thanks for those who served in the Armed Services. My 93-year-old father served for four years
during World War II in the Air Force. My
Uncle Reg served in the Army. My other
Uncle, Don, served in the Navy. Service
is a great privilege. Service breaks
through our selfishness. It is so easy
to let life become all about ourselves.
Service expresses the truth that other-centeredness keeps us
healthy. When my great uncle Harry died while
serving in World War I, a kind chaplain sent the following note to my
grandmother:
“Dear Miss Williams, I dare say you have heard the sad news
of the death of your brother Private H.C.W. Williams who was killed in action
on the morning of November 6th. He did
not suffer as death was instantaneous. No doubt you will feel the loss of your
dear brother very much as it is hard to part with those we love; but it is a
consolation to know he did his duty faithfully and died in a righteous
cause. He gave his life for others. And ‘greater love has no man than this, that
a man lay down his life for his friends.’ I pray that God will comfort you in
your sad bereavement and may you find his grace sufficient in your hour of
need. Cast your cares on the Lord and he
shall sustain you. With Deepest
Sympathy, Yours sincerely, Alex Ketterson, Chaplain 29th Canadians, B.E.F.”
My Grandmother (whom we called Nana) held on to this deeply
comforting note. She sadly lost both of
her brothers within one year during WW1. For my grandmother, doing one’s duty was
deeply important. Each of us have the
duty to serve one another, not just on Remembrance Day but every day of the
year. Serving one another is at the
heart of true love. As Chaplain
Ketterson said, quoting Jesus, there is no greater love than laying down your
life for others.
Martin Luther King memorably said: “Anyone can be great
because anyone can serve.” King laid
down his life for the sake of racial reconciliation and equality. One of my
heroes, E. Stanley Jones, taught that the future belongs to those who belong to
others in loving service. What if our
lives became known for loving service?
My prayer for those reading this article is that we might joyfully
commit ourselves to the duty of serving one another, of laying down our lives
that others might thrive.
Rev. Dr. Ed Hird, Rector
-author of Restoring Health: body, mind, and spirit
-an article for the November Deep Cove Crier
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2 comments:
Yes, Ed, you really do have a great family heritage in regard to military service. Your grandmother surely weathered mountainous waves of deep sorrow. The chaplain's solid, sensitive and scripture-rich letter, evidently became a treasured posession to your grandmother.
A great post and a significant message. ~~+~~
That letter - what a treasure and a comfort it must have been to your grandmother.
Thank you for sharing these thoughtful words.
"Service expresses the truth that other-centeredness keeps us healthy." This is an amazingly wise statement that should be posted on the walls of many offices.
Well written and thank you for sharing your family stories.
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