Personal Reflections On The Eve Of Memorial Day

I recently read a book called, "Unbroken: A World War II Story

of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand.

Laura is also the author of the book, "SeaBiscuit" about the

legendary American racehorse.

I think this book should be on the required reading list for

every kid in America starting their freshman year in high school.

I am not sure if kids younger than this age group would be 

able to handle this book.

Then again, I am a middle aged woman and I had trouble

reading this book because the story it tells is often very

graphic and disturbing at times.  But I am glad I decided

 to finish reading this story of a brave WWII hero and former POW.

The story of Louis Zamperini is one of remarkable courage

and tenacity in the face of the horrors of war and often unspeakable

human cruelty.  This book also contains his personal testimony

of the redemption and forgiveness he later found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prior to his military service, Louis Zamperini was

a track star known as the "Torrance Tornado".

He also ran in the 1936 Summer Olympics held

in Berlin, Germany and ended up meeting with

none other than Adolf Hitler himself.

But since I am someone who intensely dislikes to spoil a story by

giving out all the details, I urge all American who love this country

and their freedom to read this man's story.   We Americans owe

everything we have today in the way of freedom to men like

Mr. Zamperini and others who fought to liberate the world from

tyranny in Europe and in the Pacific, and in other wars later

fought in Korea and Vietnam and more recently, the Middle East.

Freedom always comes with a price.

So many brave young men who have answered their nation's call 

of duty never came home again.  They lie in quiet graves in Europe,

in the Pacific islands and other parts of Asia, beneath the sands

and rugged terrain of  Iraq and in Afghanistan.

This is why it bothers me that Memorial Day is often marked by

loud and gaudy parades, sales, and barbecues at the beach as the

"official start" of the summer season.  I think this should be a time

of far more quiet and somber reflection.  Save all the other hoopla

for the upcoming Fourth of July.

May God bless all the men and women, past and present, who have

honorably served and are actively serving in the Armed Forces of

the United States of America.

Thank You for my freedom.

Louis Zamperini with author Laura Hillenbrand

and John Naber.

"Unbroken's Louis Zamperini: The Rest of the Story"
The 700 Club
(2014)