Dad’s memory of Anzio

In tribute to my favorite veteran (my Dad)! I am posting a part of a poem he wrote   about his experience at Anzio, Italy. The ship he was in was hit by a bomb and sank and Dad was wounded yet by God’s grace he managed to swim to shore. Thanks to God and to my father and all those others who have served over the years we have the freedoms which we enjoy today. This is just my small way of saying, “Thank You!” He wrote this from France because it was written later in the year after he had recovered from his head wound.

washington-trip-058

Photo from Dedication of the World War II memorial in Washington D C 

Invasion 282   by Al Caligiuri  France 1944

The flaming ship is bursting high;

The roars rebound!

Seething steel!

Fragments hissing by!

And yet the voices ——!

From out the night

Thoughout the night

Forevermore—–!

 

“Help me! Help me!”

The G.I. yell, but who can hear?

“This way, this way!” You can make it.

Come on you can make it!”

 

And then a silent prayer falls from his lips

His heart is sad!

Dear God, Watch over them!

Dear God, Help them!

 

A Flower that Never Fades

kimg0626.jpg

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever  Isaiah 40:8

At the moment of her selection Esther was the most beautiful young woman that the king could find in all his domain. She was chosen to be queen and to live in his palace. Esther received the finest clothes, the most servants and the sweetest perfumes of any lady in Persia. But her true loveliness had little to do with her hair, her figure or her face. What still shines about Esther in the pages of the Bible is her character. Esther chose to be an intercessor for her people to the king. She willingly faced death, dishonor and failure because she trusted God. Her physical beauty is today remembered only in words but she retains forever a beauty that will last forever!

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away              1 Peter 5:4