*INTRODUCTION*

FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND



One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him
he looked back, at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.



But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:
"My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you,
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Author unknown




WWII, the Great Crusade, a period of our history when good and evil contended for the world. The largest things were at stake. Literally our precious freedoms that many take for granted were threatened. More than 16 million Americans put on the uniform, served at home and abroad, to help end this terrible conflict. Their sacrifice was epic. 1,278,162 American casualties with 407,316 deaths. These are staggering numbers.

How does a community get through the loss of one of it's own in warfare? How does a family come to grips with the reality of a war death? How does any serviceman or woman find the strength to overcome the most difficult period of his or her life when faced with combat? For many faced with the horrors of warfare, they turn to God. Even in the midst of death and destruction, testimonies can be strengthened, humble sincere prayers can be uttered, and lives can be turned to the Lord.

These are the men and women who survived the long war and the many hard battles, and in their honor-and the honor of those who didn't survive, this book was written. It is hard to tell that at one time the WWII generation were soldiers in a great cause. Because, after the war they hung up their weapons, and returned quickly to civilian life and prospered, as free men should.

Many of these citizen-warriors still live among us today. When we look at them what do we see? Do we realize we are in the presence of the greatest generation? Look at what this generation is, what they have been, and what good they have done for their country and for the cause of freedom. We should honor them and their comrades. Look to them for guidance-guidance for the present and guidance for the future. We shouldn't look at the era in which they toiled and sacrificed as if we were visiting a museum or skimming through a history book. We should look at what they did, and how they did it and, in doing so; honor them by imitating their courage, their sacrifice, and their excellence. Their accomplishments are astonishing and we should learn from them.

They have left a legacy of freedom, and they taught their children and their children's children the value of sacrifice, work, religion, and virtue, the necessary conditions of freedom. More importantly, they have taught us the love of country. These citizen soldiers have become our teachers. The words and deeds of their lives, remind us of human excellence, of the things for which we stand, of the courage that is necessary to maintain those things. They have taught us what it means to be a citizen of the last best hope on earth.



The entire generation came home from war with few resources; save their wise heads, stout hearts, and strong faith. They thought themselves ordinary, and ended up being extraordinary, because much was expected of them. They didn't let the free world down. And after the well deserved victory in WWII-like the generous people that this generation is-they rebuilt the countries of the defeated. Democratic constitutions were employed, turning these countries toward individual freedoms and rights. Instead of enslaving the defeated, we set them free. At their finest hour these Americans treated the vanquished with magnanimity. It is no wonder that the Twentieth Century has come to be called the American Century. For this, Americans will be remembered until the last generations.

How is it possible to honor such men and women, both the dead and the living? Perhaps we cannot do any better than to call them, in the words of Tom Brokaw, "The Greatest Generation." Perhaps we should make certain that their stories are told to the young. Perhaps we should try to imitate both their purposes and lives, in both war and peace. Perhaps we should just sincerely thank them for making sure that this island of liberty would continue. Perhaps we should just say this, along with Abraham Lincoln: "Gold is good in its place; but living, brave, patriotic men, are better than gold."

We are all in your debt and we thank you. May God always bestow his blessings upon you."



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