By Rhonda Sullivan,
Between me and my Dad:
I could tell he was unsettled in his mind towards God. As a 20-year-old new Christian, I would remind my Dad often, “God loves you!” And then I would do my best to honor my Dad and love him. He noticed and he would call me “Preacher”! I started encouraging my Dad to “make peace with God.” And over time and with God’s grace, my Dad accepted Christ as his Savior and he made peace with God!
Three weeks later, he passed away suddenly of a heart attack. I will say that it seemed God was pursuing my Dad all along, he only had to receive God’s gift of forgiveness and peace! I’m so thankful he did!
Something about my Dad:
He joined the Army just before his 18th birthday, which was November 9, 1942. He went to training state side and then left New York harbor November 1944 with the 66th division to go to relieve the troops in The Battle of the Bulge. He was in England until December 24,1944. His division along with others were being transported across the English Channel to France, when the ship they were on, the SS Leopoldville, was torpedoed by a German U-boat.
The catastrophe is one of the worst losses of WW2. Over seven hundred lives were lost. The soldiers were forbidden to speak of the tragedy. My father would quietly tell me about the horrific scene. He never told me it was Christmas Eve. Now I know why he was never keen on celebrating Christmas; Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday!
What remained of the 66th division moved forward to bring needed relief for the soldiers fighting The Battle of the Bulge. That winter of 1945 was one of the coldest on record! Now I know why he never wanted to camp out! He would say, “I did all the camping I care to do while I was in the Army.”
He served there in France pushing back the Germans and his division helped stabilize the area after their surrender. He even spoke a little French! Very funny for a country boy from the S.C. Low country!
My Dad was always my Hero! He taught me so many great life lessons! And though he left this earth too soon at age 58, he lived an honorable and good life! So much of what he taught, lives on in me!
Do you have an Honor to share? Please email me at dmsnyder7000@gmail.com with your Honoring.