Posts
by my daddy
Rev. Samuel W. Wheeler
Joshua piled up river stones after Israel finally came to the Promised Land. He foresaw a time when people would ask what they meant. Then all of God’s deeds could be remembered and recounted.
Recently, I was reminded of stones that have a message. The ordered rows of stones stretching over hills for miles at Arlington moved me in a way that I could not have imagined. The long black stone of the Vietnam Memorial spoke of unimaginable courage, sweltering heat, the loss of buddies and the horrible realization that so many countrymen hated you for serving your nation. The monuments to World War II and Korea each spoke to me in a special way because of uncles, cousins and neighbors that served during these conflicts.
The huge conglomerate of stones that is the National Cathedral not only is a monument to the creative genius of the builders but reminds you of the greatness of God and the awe we need to feel as we realize we are in His presence as did the psalmist in Psalm 148. “For His name alone is exalted. His glory is above earth and heaven.”
One stone was very special. At the Marine Corps Memorial Chapel at Quantico the survivors of Echo Company, 2/7 Marines unveiled a stone that listed the names of their comrades killed while serving in Vietnam. There are eighty-seven names on the stone. Twice in 1968 the company was reduced to fewer than fifty men with no officers. The survivors have formed a remarkable bond. There are a few who need help to cope, but most have become hardworking, effective members of society.
Daniel Storz, our son-in-law, spoke at the ceremony, and stated the key question that came from the experience with the company. “Why am I alive? The consideration of that question can cause a sense of guilt or it can lead you to look to God for the answer and find a place of service that He has for you. Dan has found that place of service.
It is a question that must be answered by any of us, not just battle survivors. Why am I here? What are those opportunities for which God gives me life so that I can do what he has given me to do?
