Stories of Faith and Courage From World War II by Larkin Spivey Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Larkin Spivey
equipment. Pearl Harbor, the movie, was released in 2001. In a thoughtful review of the movie Ken James compared the state of military forces then to our spiritual condition now:
Being reminded of the true story behind Pearl Harbor I can’t help but think about the spiritual parallels. While the majority of people live their lives in relative peace, thinking everything is just fine, how many of us will be blindsided when death comes? And yes, I’m talking to churchgoers too. What have you done to ensure you are ready when the end comes? There’s a statistic that says death is 100% fatal. Sooner or later it’ll happen. I hope you have put your trust in Jesus Christ. He’s the only way to a bright eternity. Trusting in your own good works will get you nowhere. The USS Arizona and other members of the fleet at Pearl Harbor weren’t ready, and they sadly found that out too late. 51
As we live our daily lives, often marked by ordinary routines, it may be difficult to grasp the inevitability of death and the importance of being ready for it. Even so, we must realize that when our time comes, we may not have the luxury of even a moment to prepare ourselves. Even without a clear and present danger to focus our attention, we need to make sure our souls are prepared for the eternal future. (JG)
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour… Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”
—Matthew 25:13, 34
Japanese aircraft launch for attack on Pearl Harbor. (National Archives)
USS Shaw explodes during Pearl Harbor attack. (National Archives)
F EBRUARY 5
Attacking the Hinges
On a ship, the worst disaster imaginable is capsizing. Plunged into darkness and turned upside down, the crew has no way to escape. The hull sits on top of them, a barrier to the outside world. At Pearl Harbor, this happened quickly to the Oklahoma, and the West Virginia was in danger of the same fate. Ripped by repeated torpedo hits on the port side, her compartments were flooding rapidly, and the ship was at a twenty-eight-degree list. Capsizing seemed inevitable.
Below deck, there was a group of sailors called Shipfitters who knew what needed to be done. The ship had to be counter-flooded so she could rest squarely on the mud beneath. This required opening a series of valves to let in seawater. The Shipfitters, however, were stymied because the special valve handles they needed were locked in a chest. They gathered around the chest, frantically beating at the lock with whatever was at hand, but it wouldn’t budge. In the midst of the panic and confusion, one of the sailors, Sylvester Puccio, barked for everyone to step aside. He came forward with his tools and started attacking the hinges on the locker. He soon had the doors removed. Within minutes, the little group was opening valves, and the West Virginia started settling on an even keel.
There were many heroes at Pearl Harbor who were recognized for their service. However, it was not until many years later that the son of another survivor pieced together the details of this unheralded incident. He learned that he owed his life and his children’s lives to this man who had saved his father, thousands of others, and a battleship. He was forever thankful that Sylvester Puccio stepped forward on that day, able to think for himself, and able to calmly solve a problem in the midst of chaos. He called him, “An Angel Sent by History.” 52
We may not often have the opportunity to prove our own heroism in a dramatic way, but if we are willing and available, we can be as angels to those around us by recognizing a need and rising to the occasion to meet it.
In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.
—Isaiah 63:9
F EBRUARY 6
Rumors
Henry Lachenmayer was a twenty-two-year-old crewmember
Being reminded of the true story behind Pearl Harbor I can’t help but think about the spiritual parallels. While the majority of people live their lives in relative peace, thinking everything is just fine, how many of us will be blindsided when death comes? And yes, I’m talking to churchgoers too. What have you done to ensure you are ready when the end comes? There’s a statistic that says death is 100% fatal. Sooner or later it’ll happen. I hope you have put your trust in Jesus Christ. He’s the only way to a bright eternity. Trusting in your own good works will get you nowhere. The USS Arizona and other members of the fleet at Pearl Harbor weren’t ready, and they sadly found that out too late. 51
As we live our daily lives, often marked by ordinary routines, it may be difficult to grasp the inevitability of death and the importance of being ready for it. Even so, we must realize that when our time comes, we may not have the luxury of even a moment to prepare ourselves. Even without a clear and present danger to focus our attention, we need to make sure our souls are prepared for the eternal future. (JG)
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour… Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”
—Matthew 25:13, 34
Japanese aircraft launch for attack on Pearl Harbor. (National Archives)
USS Shaw explodes during Pearl Harbor attack. (National Archives)
F EBRUARY 5
Attacking the Hinges
On a ship, the worst disaster imaginable is capsizing. Plunged into darkness and turned upside down, the crew has no way to escape. The hull sits on top of them, a barrier to the outside world. At Pearl Harbor, this happened quickly to the Oklahoma, and the West Virginia was in danger of the same fate. Ripped by repeated torpedo hits on the port side, her compartments were flooding rapidly, and the ship was at a twenty-eight-degree list. Capsizing seemed inevitable.
Below deck, there was a group of sailors called Shipfitters who knew what needed to be done. The ship had to be counter-flooded so she could rest squarely on the mud beneath. This required opening a series of valves to let in seawater. The Shipfitters, however, were stymied because the special valve handles they needed were locked in a chest. They gathered around the chest, frantically beating at the lock with whatever was at hand, but it wouldn’t budge. In the midst of the panic and confusion, one of the sailors, Sylvester Puccio, barked for everyone to step aside. He came forward with his tools and started attacking the hinges on the locker. He soon had the doors removed. Within minutes, the little group was opening valves, and the West Virginia started settling on an even keel.
There were many heroes at Pearl Harbor who were recognized for their service. However, it was not until many years later that the son of another survivor pieced together the details of this unheralded incident. He learned that he owed his life and his children’s lives to this man who had saved his father, thousands of others, and a battleship. He was forever thankful that Sylvester Puccio stepped forward on that day, able to think for himself, and able to calmly solve a problem in the midst of chaos. He called him, “An Angel Sent by History.” 52
We may not often have the opportunity to prove our own heroism in a dramatic way, but if we are willing and available, we can be as angels to those around us by recognizing a need and rising to the occasion to meet it.
In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.
—Isaiah 63:9
F EBRUARY 6
Rumors
Henry Lachenmayer was a twenty-two-year-old crewmember
Similar Books
Miami Spice
Deborah Merrell
A Weekend Temptation
Krista Caley
Inequities
Jambrea Jo Jones
Mystic Memories
Gillian Doyle, Susan Leslie Liepitz
Everything You Want
Macyn Like
Captive Star
Nora Roberts
No Time Like Mardi Gras
Kimberly Lang
Love Hurts
Brenda Grate
In the Blood
Nancy A. Collins
Biblical
Christopher Galt