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He was the youngest boy in a family of nine children. Growing up on a farm in the south in the great depression, was a hard life. His daddy lost his job in the city and moved to a farm to be a sharecropper. This would ensure the family would have a roof over their head and wouldn’t starve or stand in a soup line, for the one rationed meal a day that had become some folks only meal.
One day in his late teens, Charles took the reins off the family mule, which pulled the plow in their meager garden, for the last time. “Bessie,” he said, “I’ll never plow again. I’m not a farmer. I’m going away and don’t know when I’ll see you again. Just wanted you to know I’m sure gonna miss you”.
Although his daddy was a sharecropper, the family was dirt poor. A gnawing was in Charles’ heart that he could something more. In those days, the Government had a program, “Civilian Conservation Corps” known as “CCC”. It provided work, clothes, food, and shelter for unmarried young men. It paid $30 with $25 sent back to the family.
Charles, with his daddy to see him off, went to town one Monday morning to join up.
“Sorry son, we have enough workers right now,” said a man at the desk. “Try next month”. His heart was broken. This was a way for him to leave the farm and send much-needed money to his family. He walked outside to wait for his daddy who'd walked across the street to visit a friend. Sitting on a bench with his head low, a man approached him.
“Hey, son. Are you looking for a job?” he inquired. “Yes sir,” he replied. “Well, have you considered joining the Army?” the man asked. “They always have work; You get fed, clothes and get to see the world!” This appealed to young Charles. He had no proof of age, but they’d take his daddy’s signature to confirm it; When he returned, Charles told his daddy that he’d need to sign the papers in order for him to join. The problem was his daddy thought he was joining the CCC’s, not the Army. His daddy couldn’t read or write, so he didn’t know any better about what he was signing. He made an “X” for his signature and it was all done.
The training was fast and furious; Before long, Charles was among thousands in a convoy of 400 ships, heading for the war in Europe. This wasn’t exactly what he had in mind when he left home, but he was proud to be a soldier and proud to serve his country.
Reaching the coast of Sicily, he was told to be first off the small boats that brought his group close to shore. Pride overcame his fear. Leading the first wave and dodging bullets from the enemy, they made their way onshore. It seemed the shooting would never end, but eventually, it did. Less than half that got off the boats, made their way to a safe place, and got to rest and regroup.
“Let’s move out,” ordered their Sergeant. “Keep your ears and eyes open for any movement. Don’t let them surprise us.”
Single file they walked for hours down a deserted road. Suddenly bullets riddled the road. They couldn’t see the shooters. Charles fell to the ground, as did men in front and behind him…screaming! American planes showed up, what seemed an eternity, dropping their bombs…. Then Silence.
Cautiously, Charles got up to check on his buddies. All but 2 were dead! Most had a surprised look on their face. Tears filled his eyes as blood ran down his head. How did he survive? It had to be God!
Not all will live to old age, just like the men and women that have died for us in war. We never know when our time is up, and we need to be ready to meet God…Jesus.
This was my daddy and indeed, God had saved him, for he had more to do. Daddy lived to be 93 being in 2 more wars. He would have 3 children. One a preacher to teach about Jesus…. One to help Vietnam Vets…One to be his caregiver when Alzheimer’s invaded his mind…And a grandson, now an Officer in the Army, following his footsteps.
Death can come suddenly…a surprise event.
Are You Ready If It Does?
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