Papa’s Last Veteran’s Day
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
-John 15:13
This Veteran’s Day, all of us here at Joni and Friends respectfully honor the men and women who have served in our armed forces. It’s a sobering day in many ways because it’s a reminder of the tremendous sacrifices our soldiers have made… being away from their families for so long, witnessing so much trauma, and in many cases, coming home with debilitating disabilities. Be it a physical disability, Traumatic Brain Injury or Post Traumatic Stress, the impact of war is something only those who have experienced active combat duty can truly comprehend. So while I’m ever grateful that we recognize our Veterans on Veteran’s Day, it’s really something we should be doing every day. We enjoy – and often take for granted – the blessings of multiple freedoms today because they gave up so many of their own.
“Some gave all, all gave some – and they did it for you and for me.”
Today I am reminded of the last Veteran’s Day I got to spend with my grandfather, Jerry Gagnon, who defended our freedoms in World War II. I called him Papa. Many years ago when I still lived in New England, I took Papa to a Veteran’s Day ceremony in the tiny little town of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire. As it was every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, all who were gathered circled around the historic 1844 brass cannon on display in the center of town. That cannon was fired off three times in a row each Veteran’s Day in salute of all Veterans, past and present, and traditionally, the oldest Veteran in attendance received the privilege of pulling the cord.
When the Master of Ceremonies called for the oldest Veteran, a Marine who served in Viet Nam stepped forward. And though I certainly didn’t want to take anything away from that valiant Warrior, I cleared my throat and humbly explained, “Excuse me, Sir, but we have a World War II tank driver with us today.”
There was a collective gasp from the audience, as that Marine voluntarily took a step back and saluted Papa. He may have been 86 years old that day, but Papa’s countenance reflected that of his 18 year old self as he proudly marched through bystanders and took his place by the cannon. Head held high, shoulders back and eyes straight ahead, Papa fired that old cannon three times while everyone felt the reverent awe of the moment.
A long line of grateful Veterans and civilians alike approached Papa after the ceremony, eager to salute him or shake his hand. And when we walked back to our car when all was said and done, I asked Papa if I could have his handkerchief – my face was so wet with tears of pride and joy.
To my surprise, instead of reaching into his pocket where Papa always kept his hankie, he held out his hand and slowly unwrapped the makeshift bandage that covered it. Apparently the powerful kick-back from the cannon had torn Papa’s flesh; thin from decades on this earth. I quickly tended to his bloody hand and even then I realized the silent sacrifice that not only Papa, but all of our soldiers make. For truly, greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, as we read in John 15:13.
None of our military families fully know what to expect when they embark on their tours of duty, but all of them have sacrificed something substantial. And this is what we must never forget… they did it all for us. Some gave all, all gave some – and they did it for you and for me.
That was my last Veteran’s Day with Papa. He died just a few months later. But I will be forever grateful that God gave him that wonderful day, and gave me that very special memory.
And of course, this brings to mind all of the Veterans we have the honor of serving at our various Warrior Getaways. It’s heartbreaking to report that be it from PTSD or another life-altering disability received as a result of active duty, so many of our military marriages and families are on the verge of collapse before coming to a Warrior Getaway, but at these highly specialized retreats, disabled Veterans and their families are able to share their struggles and then find God’s love, hope and peace. We’ve seen divorces cancelled, hearts and minds restored, and whole families brought to new life in Jesus!
So today on Veterans’ Day and every day moving forward, please pray for our disabled Veterans – and for all Veterans – would you?
Written By: Shauna Amick
Stand By Me
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:7 I’ve always had monumental respect for the men and women who defend our freedoms. My grandfather, a World War II Veteran, instilled that in me from the time I was a very little girl. A soldier…
