21 Gun Salute

In all my life, I have never had the privilege of attending the funeral of a war veteran for our country. At least, that is, up until this week. Last week, I posted about Carrie's grandfather passing from this life to the next, and how thankful we are for the hope of resurrection and new life through faith in Jesus. Her grandfather expressed his faith in Jesus, and we both have the certainty that he is currently attending the great marriage feast in heaven.

However, when he lived his life in this world, Carrie's grandfather was a World War II veteran. He was a paratrooper, and got dropped more than once during the invasion of Europe. We got to hear a few of his stories when we last visited him, even though he truly was so humble that it was difficult to hear a lot about his adventures.

Having survived the war, and the many years since then, he was eligible for the honor of a military burial. After the funeral service at the church at which he was a founding member, we drove out to the nearby burial ground for veterans. Though it was cold and drizzly, we gathered under a small shelter, during which time the honor guard went through their ritual. Perhaps the hardest moment for all of us was when the 7 guns sounded their three times, as taps sounded, and then, as the folded flag was given to his widow. Overall, it was a very emotional time.

We can never repay those veterans who have fought in the preservation of our freedom. It doesn't matter if they fought in such distant wars as Word War II, or in the many current or recent conflicts that have erupted around the world. In the same way, we can never repay Jesus for the fight He fought on the cross, and the freedom we have because of His willing sacrifice.