Terry
The Death of a Hero
There were so many burst overhead that Joshua was nearly too frightened to hold his weapon. He had never dreamed of such fear when he was back home in Mississippi. He was from a small town in the country called Silver Creek. The population was only about 600 on a good day but right now it was like New York City to young Josh. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small picture of his family and stared at it intensely. His tears gently slid down his checks and splashed on the little photograph. He really missed those early mornings with his mother frying bacon in the kitchen while his dad hollered upstairs for the boys to get up. Another explosion burst into the trees behind Joshua and he heard the faint sounds of men breathing their last breaths all too near to his position. With the constant gun fire and shell explosions he hoped he would not hear that voice that caused his legs to tremble. He hoped that he could just stay here and crunch down low to the ground and wish it all away. But the voice came and his heart beat into his throat to the point that he could feel every beat just below his neck.
“Attention to orders” shouted the first sergeant. “Company rise” were the words so feared by all. “Fix bayonets” screamed the nearly hoarse first sergeant again. Joshua’s hand was shaking so that he had to use his other to steady it while he attached the bayonet and locked it down. Under his breath he began to pray. “Our Father which art in heaven, hollowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” He spoke every word as though they would be his last. Joshua could see the line of the enemy and he knew that their numbers were three times greater than his comrades in arms. At this point he knew that God was his only hope. He never wanted to be here but he came because he knew that if he did not fight this war here and now, this great enemy would be at the doorsteps of his home and family. He could not bare the thought of his mother, father and siblings being murdered unarmed and helpless. He wondered in the years to come if anyone would even remember what he had done. Well no matter, today he was going to charge as the sergeant ordered. Today he would defend the family and friends at home. Today he would give his life so that those he loved could keep freedom and their lives.
Joshua remembered much of his days in the little church down town. He remembered how he gave his life to Christ because Christ had selflessly given his life for Joshua. Joshua suddenly had a peace come over him. As he began to march forward he knew he was doing the right and honorable thing and that soon he would be with his Lord in paradise. As he walked forward he did not feel the hot lead pierce his heart. As he sunk to the ground he clutched the picture to his blood soaked chest and gurgled his last words on this earth. Oh Jesus ….
Joshua did make a difference, for his battle was to protect his love ones. Perhaps you knew of Joshua, for he fought in the American Revolution, Civil War, The Spanish American War, World War One, World War Two, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. God bless you Joshua’s everywhere that fought for us a grateful nation. We honor you this day, on this Memorial Day.
Written by Terry L. Richardson
Copyright © May 31, 1999
Trichar384@aol.com
There were so many burst overhead that Joshua was nearly too frightened to hold his weapon. He had never dreamed of such fear when he was back home in Mississippi. He was from a small town in the country called Silver Creek. The population was only about 600 on a good day but right now it was like New York City to young Josh. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small picture of his family and stared at it intensely. His tears gently slid down his checks and splashed on the little photograph. He really missed those early mornings with his mother frying bacon in the kitchen while his dad hollered upstairs for the boys to get up. Another explosion burst into the trees behind Joshua and he heard the faint sounds of men breathing their last breaths all too near to his position. With the constant gun fire and shell explosions he hoped he would not hear that voice that caused his legs to tremble. He hoped that he could just stay here and crunch down low to the ground and wish it all away. But the voice came and his heart beat into his throat to the point that he could feel every beat just below his neck.
“Attention to orders” shouted the first sergeant. “Company rise” were the words so feared by all. “Fix bayonets” screamed the nearly hoarse first sergeant again. Joshua’s hand was shaking so that he had to use his other to steady it while he attached the bayonet and locked it down. Under his breath he began to pray. “Our Father which art in heaven, hollowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” He spoke every word as though they would be his last. Joshua could see the line of the enemy and he knew that their numbers were three times greater than his comrades in arms. At this point he knew that God was his only hope. He never wanted to be here but he came because he knew that if he did not fight this war here and now, this great enemy would be at the doorsteps of his home and family. He could not bare the thought of his mother, father and siblings being murdered unarmed and helpless. He wondered in the years to come if anyone would even remember what he had done. Well no matter, today he was going to charge as the sergeant ordered. Today he would defend the family and friends at home. Today he would give his life so that those he loved could keep freedom and their lives.
Joshua remembered much of his days in the little church down town. He remembered how he gave his life to Christ because Christ had selflessly given his life for Joshua. Joshua suddenly had a peace come over him. As he began to march forward he knew he was doing the right and honorable thing and that soon he would be with his Lord in paradise. As he walked forward he did not feel the hot lead pierce his heart. As he sunk to the ground he clutched the picture to his blood soaked chest and gurgled his last words on this earth. Oh Jesus ….
Joshua did make a difference, for his battle was to protect his love ones. Perhaps you knew of Joshua, for he fought in the American Revolution, Civil War, The Spanish American War, World War One, World War Two, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. God bless you Joshua’s everywhere that fought for us a grateful nation. We honor you this day, on this Memorial Day.
Written by Terry L. Richardson
Copyright © May 31, 1999
Trichar384@aol.com
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