To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:37
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
This is the fourth segment of my interview with WWII veteran Joe Meiner. I encourage you to read parts 1-3 of the remarkable events surrounding Joe’s service to his country. Here is a link to the first post – Veterans Day Joe Meiners I .
As I mentioned earlier, Joe stated “I didn’t go into this war to get any medals. I went to protect my country. Adolph Hitler would have been in this country if he wasn’t stopped. We once came across some young German boys, 10-11 years old. I asked them why their English was so good. They had been taken as babies; they didn’t even know their parents. They were being trained to occupy America. Hitler had some long-range plans.”
Joe mentioned briefly how he still had nightmares about the suffering he witnessed in WWII. The explosions, the chaos, the screams, the pain. It continued to haunt him.
I wished I could have taken it away from him forever.
After keeping Joe for so long during our interview, I felt the least I could do was offer to buy him lunch. It was a nice day, so we walked about two blocks from his home to a local diner. People greeted Joe along the street, and again when we entered the café. It seemed to me that I was accompanying a local celebrity. Perhaps the local celebrity, as the town Joe lived in has a population of less than 500 people.
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Once we returned from lunch, I remembered something about Joe. Having heard him speak a few times before I interviewed him, I knew Joe loved to sing. Before I left for the day, I asked Joe if he would mind singing a song for me.
Joe belted out one of the finest renditions of God Bless America I have ever heard. I was quite moved by it, and it seemed Joe took notice. Typical of Joe not wanting to draw any special attention to himself, he simply chuckled and stated that he likes to “keep the old pipes clear once in a while.”
I just listened to my recording of him singing it again as I reviewed our time together during our interview. After learning a little of what he went through to “protect my country”, it still gives me chills.
What a privilege that he would call me his friend.
In the presence of his Lord, in Whom Joe fully trusted, I am sure the nightmares and pain of the past are indeed now gone forever.
Rest in peace, Joe. I look forward to seeing you again.
I hope you will thank a veteran when you get the opportunity.
And may you have a great day.