Dan was definitely sent by God to show Harry that he is not a failure and that he did everything he could during the war!!

Very powerfully written, BigSister!!!

Joy

very poweful post

cath

The stuff Harry went through must have been horrible. I hope he can have a chance to mend the broken bridges with his son and family.

A very powerful and well-written post! Bravo!!!!

Indeed, as others have said, that was a very powerfully written post, BigSister. And I have been there. Oh, not under the same circumstances, but with the guilt eating away at my heart, knowing that I was not worthy to be forgiven by God. What I didn’t understand was that I was already forgiven, thru Jesus, His son. All I had to do was ask for it…that is what Dan is telling Harry. I wasted so many years too, between 15 and 20, and I can never get those years back. Sometimes it still pains me when I think about all those lost years I could have been serving Him, doing His will instead of mine.

But, at least now I can take comfort in Him, not hide, when those old feelings come back. I recognize that it is Satan that causes me to dwell on that, for Satan will do anything to separate us from God. That is what Harry must do….take comfort, Harry, and He will rejoice and bless you, like He has me, like He does with everyone.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to go on like that….it just brought back all those old memories. But it also brings back the joy I felt, and still feel, when I finally realized God has already forgiven. A very powerful post, indeed, BigSister.

Lynn

Very powerful post - hopeful Harry is going to be able to follow Dan's advice and work this through so he can rejoin his family.

kav

Poor Harry has been through so much. So many misunderstandings. I hope he takes Dan's wonderful advice and finds healing with God and his family. Powerful writing, I felt like I was watching that scene from the war play out.

Hey guys!
I am sorry yet again this is not a post. I have 2 week training to go to this week. I should have a good portion finished by th time my flight is done and there should be good internet connection where I am going so I will finish before the dead line!

Thank you all for the responses. Harry's story is a common place in our world today. And you are all right, only GOD can heal him and anyone else going through something like that!
Blessings to you all!

hope the training goes well, we'll be waiting for you to post

cath

Ok Everyone, thanks for the patience....... my internet connection was not what i was expecting, but here I am this should be running pretty quick the next couple days so be forewarned.....................................................


(perspective change back to Lucy)
I was only gone for a few minutes, and when I came back Dan was in the sanctuary with Harry. Their conversation looked like it was pretty serious. I decided not to interrupt them. There were chair in the foyer and I sat down, waiting for Jack and Sue.

10 minutes later Jack and Sue walked in the building
“Luce, what’s going on?” Sue asked
“I think Dan was able to get through to him. Harry has been crying there the last few minutes.”
Sue looked from her friends to the 2 men in the sanctuary and watched their lips move.
“Luce you were right, Dan was able to get through. He is praying right now.” Tears came to Sue’s eye as she watched her distant relative become a new man right before her eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself as she watched and was caught by surprise when a set of arms came around her helped her tight. Jack stood there holding her showing her support and love as she watched the events unfold.

An hour or more passed by, in all honesty I have not idea how long it was but Harry and Dan came from the sanctuary. “Harry, are you alright?”
“I am better now. I needed to work some things out before I could go on anymore.”
“I saw that.”
“How were you able t o see that?” Dan asked confused.
“I am deaf, I was reading your lips.”
“Well that makes senses”
“Sue we need to talk.”
“Harry before you say anything, I need you to know. We are going to meet the family.”
“What?”
I called everyone, and they didn’t understand the things that were going on with you. They want to hear all about it.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Everyone is meeting up at my place and we are all going to talk.”
“Come on Harry, you need to help everyone understand.”
After a minute or two or uncertainty, “Alright, let’s go.” Harry’s answer made Sue ecstatic

It took us about 15 minutes to walk back to our apt, by that time Sue’s parents, grandparents, 2 aunts and an uncle were waiting by our apt. “wow that was quick.”
“But it is long over due”
Everyone went up to our apartment, getting settled was interesting. We barely had enough chairs and seats for everyone when the door bell ran again.
To be completely honest I thought it would be Dan’s wife….. but when I opened the door I was surprised. There standing at our door were 2 soldiers, one was in the army and one was a marine.
“Is Sue Thomas here?”
“Yes,”
“we are her cousins Clint and mike.”
“oh please come in.” we walked into the living room where everyone was settled with drinks, and talking. I waved to Sue, and with Jack’s help got her attention. She looked up at me and saw the 2 men behind me and was ecstatic. Sue signed HOW ARE YOU?
I looked back at them just in time to see Mike answer back, FINE THANKS FOR THE CALL.
YOUR WELCOME was all sue said.
“go ahead and have a seat make yourselves comfortable. Can I get you a drink or anything?”
“no thank you I am fine,” came from both men.
After everyone was settled, Sue turned to Harry, “Harry can you and Dan tell us what happened in the war?”
“I don’t know.”
“I think if we both talk about it, we can tell you.” Dan said, Harry nodded and they began………

this is going to be hard to tell and hear

cath

But everyone is going to feel so much better once it's all out in the open.

kav

I agree Kav....things are not good when they are bottled up inside.

This is the best thing for Harry and his family!!!

Joy

Wow! All the family, including Sue's grandparents. I can't wait to hear Harry's story. It will be start Harry on the road to healing and, I'm sure, give him family to comfort him for the remaining days of his life. I just wish he had contacted Sue earlier.

Lynn

Here is a part of the story, the perspective changes throughout but I have sufficeintly shown that (i think!) I should be able to post again tomorrow..... we'll see how thing go! Thanks for the comments!

We were waiting on the tarmac for the go ahead for our mission. Our mission had been put on stand by 2 hours ago, for the arrival of a new member. After Chase had been injured pretty bad 2 weeks before, we were finally getting a replacement. We weren’t happy about the whole thing but orders were orders. Finally after what seemed like ages a young kid, still wet behind the ears, was timidly walking towards us.
“Oh please don’t tell me we get the kid.” One of the guys said and the laughs went up all around. The kid walked up to me, came to attention and reported in.
“PFC Thomas reporting for duty sir.”
I accepted it, saluting him back; “At ease solider” I kept my cool, “you are our replacement?”
“I just finished spec ops training at Ft Benning. I got orders to report to London and then to join you.”
The other guys laughed. This kid was our new member. He was barely 20, still very wet behind the ears. How could he possibly be a spec ops man?
“Let me see your orders son,” quickly there was a piece of paper in my hand. Orders confirming that this kid was our new team member.
“Guys meet our new member, PFC Thomas……. What’s your first name son?”
“Harry,” was his reply
“Harry meet: Mark, Tom, Matt, Evan, Mike and I’m Dan. We are on a first name basis here.”
“Yes, sir”
“Serious son, no sirs or anything. We don’t need the enemy to know who has rank and who doesn’t. Besides we are all equal here.”
“Ok,” his response was not confident, but I gave him slack.
“Tell me about your training. How did you do with it?”
“I graduated top of my class in basic and special operations.”
“Really, what did you specialize in?”
“German linguist and intelligence.”
“Intelligence?”
“Yes,”
“This should be interesting. Don’t let the Germans know that.”
“I only make the linguist know to the world.”
“Smart idea.”

Our mission was easy to explain but hard to execute. We had to take a possession of a bridge in France. US forces were making their across France chasing the Germans back. The only really hard part was that the Germans knew we needed that bridge and were waiting for us, expecting us and we had to pull this off now! The guys new that this was the kid’s first real mission and a dousy of one at that! But orders were orders and we would obey them even if we didn’t quite trust the kid yet, he was going with us. We gave him point, hoping and praying that his eyes and reflexes were as good as he said we were.

We headed out at midnight slowly and quietly making our way through the forest to the first rendezvous point. The nervousness of this kid was hilariously apparent. He made several mistakes, but he wasn’t doing too bad for a newbie.

We were 7 miles away from our target. Perched on a hill we could see the bridge and all around the target. Directly in front of us at the bottom of the hill was a farm house, the forest wrapped around the field and house. The forest wrapped around until it met a river about ¼ mi away. On the other side of the river the forest continued on towards our ultimate objective. We stopped to plan our next move.
“What do you think Dan?”
“I don’t really see any alternative. If we head to the south, we will have to fight through open area all the way to the bridge, no surprise that way. North we could do but we woud have to navigate that river the whole way. We don’t need to be covered in ice while we move. The only way I can see is to run the course around the field and up.”
“Dan?” the kid’s voice broke in.
“What kid?”
“There is movement down there around the house.”
“What?”
“I can see someone moving down there. Looks like someone went to the outhouse or the well or something. It may be nothing but we do need to take into consideration.”
“That’s why we are going to take the forest road 15 yards from the field; we can watch the action and keep the element of surprise.”
“Ok, sounds good to me.”
I had to shake my head at the kid. He didn’t have enough experience under his belt to be thinking yet.

After we confirmed positions, movements, and our plan to the target, we moved out. We were able to keep the element of surprise for quite a while, but the chickens were let out of the bag. As we approached the river, the kid saw that the enemy had spotted one of the other guys on the team and was about to take him out. The kid shot him before the man could take aim and fire. The enemy fell down dead but he was not alone. What the team didn’t know was that the farm house was a staging area was guarded round the clock. This was one of the patrols. And we could hear more coming. I took the second man out but not before he hit the kid. Harry fell to the ground, Tom was on his feet rushing to the kid when Evan pulled him into hiding. I was going to help the kid when Mark grabbed me and pulled me back. The kid was on his feet, rifle in hand ready to fight while looking for help. 6 more Germen were coming. Harry spotted us and realized that the team had split up and scattered, we had no tactical advantage we needed to regroup. He gave himself up to the enemy. We all sat and watched as they took him away.
Then harry began;

I had been shot; I saw the man take aim at Dan. I was looking for help and saw that I would only get myself and the team killed if I went with them, so I made a critical decision. I shot and killed the german, but I also attracted attention of other guards. I wasn’t able to handle the weight if my rifle because of my shoulder injury, so I exaggerated my dropping it and raised my one good arm in surrender. I know it was against the code of conduct but better to give myself up than the positions of my team mates. I was hoping they would move on and complete the mission. The enemy surrounded me, picked up my rifle, and made jokes at me as they pushing me towards the farmhouse.

I was surprised when we entered the house. There were many higher ranking officers standing around a table talking in German. I was halted in side the door as the enlisted men talked to the officers. The conversations going on around me were interesting. They were discussing a counter attack on the Allies, they wanted to use the very bridge that we were sent to take. They already had troops moving over it. The team didn’t stand a chance against the numbers they were talking. I couldn’t show them I knew what they were saying and I was not going to show them I was weak. I had heard enough stories about what they did to their prisoners and I was not going down defeated, so I stood tall and strong despite my shoulder. I held my injured arm with my good arm across my stomach and waited for them to decide what to do. I heard and physically locked away different locations that were being discussed. This was a spy’s dream assignment and I was a lowly Cpl. One conversation in particular caught my attention and everything else was gone as I listen to 2 officers contemplating whether or not to shooting me right there and being done with it, but another officer decided that he needed to see what I knew first. After only a few minutes more, I was taken to a room on the second floor. They pushed me into the room, and I was followed by one of the officers. The officer motioned towards a chair. I looked at it and contemplated my options; sitting would buy me a few more minutes to build some strength. I looked at this man and took a seat. The enlisted men left the room closing the door behind them. The officer began to question me. I gave him the bare minimums. You know name, rank, serial number, other than that I was silent. The officer grew more irritated as I continued my vow of silence. After several more questions the officer hit me across the face drawing blood on my lip, but the silence Continued. The officer Continued to beat me on the face and the and on my wounded shoulder. After 20 minutes of beatings the officer left and the door was locked behind him. I didn’t know how I felt as I took in the few minutes of being alone. My shoulder throbbed uncontrollably

For 3 days straight I was beaten within an inch of my life. We finally left me in the room again but this time tied to a chair. I was expecting a bullet to come screaming into the back of his head and take him to my Maker. I was exhausted and couldn’t hold out much longer but I was not going to give up the team, he allies or anything. I would go to my grave with my secrets. I was contemplating what would happen back home with my mom and dad and sister; when they found out I was not coming home. The thought hurt so bad that it radiated in my shoulder and I passed but for now the warm darkness was eagerly accepted.

Dan came in again………………….

The team and I went ahead within 2 miles of the bridge. We were taking a rest for a few minutes to regroup and check in with HQ. Evan called in, and we were all surprised. The bridge had been taken already. A battalion had come in and taken the Germans out. The allies had control of the route. We were being called back to HQ for reassignment, but I got on the radio telling them we had a situation that we need to handle. We had to get the kid out. After several minutes of arguing and discussing we were given eh go ahead to get the kid and bring him back to HQ. Rumors were flying around that as the Germans were being pushed back little by little, they were killing their prisoners, so they would not be slowed. We had to get the kid before they put a bullet in his head. We were all sure that by the time we got to him he would be dead. But we had to try. His first mission and he showed the smarts and courage of a veteran. We needed this kid. I felt the strongest bond to the kid. He had put himself in harms way to make sure the mission would be Completed. I need to be there to take the bridge and the kid made sure I was there. I owed the kid at least an attempt and rescue even if it was to recover his body.

We quickly made our way back to the farm house, this time to assault and destroy. IT took us about 4 hours to make it back there. When we got there the farm house was abandoned, or at least looked like it. It was supposed to be abandoned last time and look what happened. We were taking no chances. We were not losing anymore to these Germans.
Tom and I took the back door; while Evan, Matt and Mark pulled security. We entered through the back door and stopped in our steps. The plans for the enemies attack were laid out on the table in the kitchen and even down the hall. A comprehensive map of the area, marked with positions and future moves. I called Mike, the only one who could understand German besides the kid. I ordered his to take pictures as he translated what was written. Tom and I made our way upstairs checking every nook and cranny for signs of the Germans or the kid. Tom stopped me with his hand on my chest and pointed to the floor. There was blood on the floor, not a lot; to honest it was only a drip trial but with was blood. I got a sick feeling in my stomach but we had to keep going. The first 2 doors in the hallway upstairs opened up to empty rooms. The third door revealed our bounty. The kid was tied to a chair; he had been beaten within an inch of his life. The team stopped in our tracks for half a second, the kid had held up. His shoulder was a bloody mess as was his face. Tom checked him over, “he’s alive but barely. We need to move.” I nodded my response and untied kid. I flipped him over my shoulder and we quickly made our way towards the door, regrouping with mike, “how is he?”
“Alive, barely, we need to go.” the gunfire outside catching all of us by surprise.
“Check it out,” I told Mike, who quickly headed fro the door. With in 3 minutes he was back panting, “we have Germans coming from the south. We need to make arun for the woods now or we become fish bait.”
“let’s move. Tom you are with me. If the kids wakes up he is all yours, Mike I need you and the other guys to pull a rear security as we work our way out. Once we reach the hil top I want a perimeter around us as we move. It may be slow going, but htat depends on the kid.”
“You bet.” Came the response
“alright move.”
Tom and I took the first run to the woods, I had the kid over my shoulders and Tom was pulling cover. Mike and Evan came next and Mark and Matt followed last.
Before anyone could ask anything, “Let’s move gentlemen. We need to get him to HQ and medical help now.” The men nodded and we moved out. I didn’t realize how big that kid was until I had to carry him up the hill. At the top we stopped for a few minute breather. I gently laid the kid down and Tom Checked his vitals. “He is still with us” was all he said. We all knew that it wasn’t looking good for the kid but he was alive. I decided in my head that I was not going to be writing a letter home to his parents from his first mission. He was going to pull through. We rested for 10 minutes and were on our way again. We had been marching/hiking for 3 hours, when I felt the kid stir then jump. He started going crazy on me. I stopped immediately and laid the kid down. Tom was over him checking him over but he was delirious. Tom gave him something to calm down, but instead the kid was unconscious.

Harry showed a lot of courage for a first timer, and the team was brave to go in and get him out of there!!!

Now, I'm on the edge of my seat to see what happens next!!!

Joy

Hey everyone, my schedule has allowed me to finish this story! Here is the final chapter! But I have to let you all know as well for copyright reasons, the war memory was inspired by the Crankshaft comic. I can give you dates from when the specific comics sections I used were printed if you so desire.

THanks so much for reading this and for all your comments. THey have helped a lot! now with out further ado............ the final chapter!

It took us the better part of the day and night to get to a forward position and transport to HQ in England. The kid was in bad shape; he had woken up twice on the way out. He was running a fever and was not coherent. Tom and I stayed with him the whole way. I was standing there as the doctors surrounded him and set to work. I stood watch over him as they cleaned him up and fixed his shoulder. A day later I had fallen asleep next to his bed in the chair, when I heard him stir.
“Who’s there?”
“Hey kid, it’s Dan.”
“What happened? Where are we? Did you take the bridge? The Germans were prepping to use it for a major troop movement.””
I took the next 10 minutes explaining to the kid what had happened. He listened intently, when I told him about our escape and trek back he said, “ I am sorry.”
“Hey kid, there is nothing to be sorry for. The mission was a success. We stopped the Germans from moving on us, we were also able to stop future movements thanks to those plans they left behind. But I do have one question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Why did you do that? Why did you allow yourself to get caught?”
The kid shocked me with his reaction. He looked away from me, I figured he was contemplating his answer, “Because it needed to be done.” Was all he said, there was something in his eyes told me there was more there but I never found out what it was.

Dan turned to Harry, “Harry why did you allow yourself to get caught?”
“I already told you that, because it needed to be done.”
“No, what was the real reason?”
Harry looked away, tears in his eyes, and was silent for a few minutes. Sue got up and put her hand on his shoulder, “Harry it is ok. What you did was brave and honorable. We are all so proud of you. Why did you do it?”
Harry fought with his mind, and soul. Finally he nodded his head and softly spoke, “because I knew that you guys didn’t trust me yet and that they needed you. I figured if you were gone, it would eventually be blamed on me or something, but I was the inexperienced expendable one, so I let them take me.”
The silence and emotion in the room was so thick it could choke a man.
“Harry I am sorry we made you think that. To be honest we weren’t sure what to think about you. You showed us that you had wisdom beyond your years and experience. You had our respect.”
“But that was afterwards. Can you tell me that you did trust me?”
It took Dan a minute to think, and shake his head in his response, “You are right Harry. We didn’t trust you. But that just goes to show how stupid we as humans can be. It should have been enough for us that you did as well as you did in training, that you had 2 jobs in the army not one, and that you had the drive to try. But we knew war did things to a man that no one can expect. Even at that time. Can you ever forgive us?”
“That is not the problem; I never held it against you. I always knew that it was me not you. I have to let that go now. I have to forgive myself for those thoughts.”
“Harry, what can we do to help?” Sue’s aunt, Sara asked, helping the men to remember that there were more people in the room besides them.
“Pray, that is all you can do.”
“Harry,” a man’s voice came.
“PFC Harold Thomas, US Army. I am another one of your great grand kids. I want you know that hearing your story has been so very inspiring. I have just been ordered to Special forces training…….”
“When were you going to tell your mother about this?”
“Tonight but I figured now is a better time,” he stood up as did the Marine with him. Both men made their way to the 2 veterans, both soldiers shook the men’s hands and then came to attention saluted them. Tears were in everyone’s eyes.
“Is anyone else hungry?” another woman’s voice broke in.
“Let’s go grab something to eat. How about a buffet? There is one just down the street.”
“Sounds good to me.” Dan said everyone else was in agreement
“Sue,” Harry called her and I got her attention. She walked over to him, and I cried for the 4th time today as I watched him give her a hug and say a soft thank you. Sue had tears in her eyes and said and signed YOUR WELCOME and we walked out the door.

Catching up on the last two posts. Harry's story is a heartwrenching one and his motive for surrendering just goes to show how the power of our actions, not necessarily words, can have a profound effect on someone else's thoughts and actions. Great story!

Lynn

A very good ending to a wonderful story!! There's a very good lesson here!! You should trust people until they give you a reason to do otherwise!! I'm glad, even after all these years, Harry's guilt can be laid to rest and he can now enjoy his family!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Joy

Those were a couple of gripping posts to catch up on. I'm glad that Harry has gotten it all out in the open and he's been reunited with his family now.

kav

Phew, I'm little confused from this story but I like it...

Hey there theme......
you said you were confused...... how did i confuse you? let me know how I can make things clearer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! any and all input is welcomed and appreciated!

What a great story! I love how you told the story it made me feel like i was there!

This was a very humbling and awe inspiring story! You did great with it!