This month would have been my father’s 101st birthday and earlier in the summer I was reminded of his role during WW2. He joined up in 1942, before he was called up officially – he was afraid he would be assigned to the Royal Navy and he couldn’t swim.
He was in the Duke of Wellington regiment and spent his time in India and Sumatra. His 21st birthday, a rite of passage in those days, was spent aboard a ship awaiting onward travel to Singapore, when news arrived that the USA had dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was therefore spared further active fighting.
My father never spoke much of the war, but as far as I am aware was not especially traumatised by events in the far east.
A few weeks ago the country celebrated 80 years since VJ day and remembered all those servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives, or who were for ever traumatised by their experiences.
When I was working I came across several patients who had been in the armed forces during the war and were still suffering from the trauma of their experiences.
These men and women suffered and many died for our freedom, and what is happening today? There are still wars being raged, families being torn apart, men, women and children being traumatised, or being killed in the name of war.
Jesus came to earth and taught a ministry of love, of tolerance and acceptance, and died on the cross so that we might put all wrongs behind us, yet we go on fighting.
I thank God that my father survived WW2, I would not be here had he not. I thank God that there are people willing to put themselves in dangerous situations to bring aid to those in need. I thank God that there are people working for peace, even though it seems a long way off.
My father was no great hero, his medal (see photo) simply acknowledged that he served in South East Asia from 1945-46, yet he played his part.
Prayer: Father God, we give thanks for the sacrifice of men and women in years gone by, who died for our freedom. We give thanks for the sacrifice of your Son who died to save the whole world, and bring freedom to all. We give thanks that your Son came as the Prince of Peace and we pray that peace will reign, and wars will end for ever. AMEN