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From the Pulpit...
Owner/Publisher: Rob Wood
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Remembrance Month!
ovember is a month of change; leaves have fallen on the ground and we change our tires for the winter months that lie ahead. But it really is a lot more than that, isn't it? We take this time to remember our men and women who gave their all for our country and the freedom that we enjoy today. Most of us know someone who serves or has served in the Armed Forces, whether it was in World War I, World War II, Korea, Afghanistan or all the many peacekeeping missions. My dad served in Europe, as did my uncles and other family members. Family members on both my dad and mom's side served in World War II.
My mother-in-law's dad served in World War I. In November, we remember the sacrifices that our Veterans made so that we could enjoy our freedom. Many of our veterans were not drafted, although some were, but many just volunteered. My dad and uncle were a couple of them; my dad joined the Northshore Regiment, Pictou Highlanders; my uncle, Albert Leonard Wood, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Flight Sergeant. Albert was a tail gunner on a bomber Lancaster. He was killed when his plane was shot down over Bremen, Germany on July 25, 1943. My dad, Robert Allan Wood, was wounded in Cannes, France where he took shrapnel to the leg. They both sacrificed so much, as did many others, for us and our freedom that we have today. Thanks to all of our Armed Forces that have gone overseas to fight evil and tyranny. November,
November 2021
His Sacrifice for us! therefore, is a time to put on our poppies and remember all those who sacrificed themselves for us. There is no greater love than that. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." The following is a story of a First World War soldier, Cpl. Harry Miner, who was born in Cedar Springs, Chatham-Kent, Ontario. Harry earned the British Empire's highest military award for bravery, the Victoria Cross, as well as the highest French citation, the Croix de Guerre. Harry was recognized for his brave actions in the battle of Amiens, on August 8, 1918. Even though Harry had multiple wounds, including a very serious wound to the head and to his shoulders, Harry would not withdraw from the battle; he refused medical help. Instead, Harry chose to ignore his horrible wounds. Harry would then rush a German
machine gun post, where he killed the machine gun crew, then turned the gun on the enemy. When Harry ran out of ammunition, he tossed the machine gun aside and attacked two more enemy positions while killing a few more enemy soldiers in hand to hand combat, before being hit by a grenade, where Harry died from his wounds. That is the sacrifice that the soldiers made when they volunteered and went overseas to fight for their country. Some would come back with life altering wounds, some even with wounds that no one could see, but they knew they were different, and some died on the battle field making the ultimate sacrifice. I'm not sure what their sacrifice reminds you of, but it sure reminds me of what happened almost 2,000 years ago, outside the gates of Jerusalem, where Jesus was whipped, beaten and crucified on a cross, where He died for your
