This last weekend, I had the privilege of attending a memorial service for my grandpa, Paul H. Sweitzer. While it was a sad occasion, it was a privilege for many reasons.
First, I learned that about a year and a half before he died, Grandpa made a commitment to God that truly brought peace to his life. He realized with his heart that through our Messiah, God forgave his sins. How exciting to know that I will again be able to sit with my grandfather and hear his trademarked cackle after he shares something funny.
Secondly, I learned that my grandpa was a true American hero. From the time that I was a young boy, I knew that Grandpa was a gunner in WWII, but I didn’t know anything about where he fought, or the nature of his duty.
Grandpa was a waist gunner in a B-17 bomber, part of the 100th bomb group, in squadron 418. Needless to say, this was a VERY dangerous job. He flew 35 missions, 6 times over Berlin, Germany.
I don’t think that Grandpa was a hero simply because he served our country in such a dangerous capacity. Grandpa was a hero because he loved, and always gave of himself to ensure that those he loved were taken care of. He lived for 40 years with the nightmares of the things he experienced in the war, yet he never complained. Also, when he finally realized that he could not continue in life alone, he reached out to the only One who could bring peace and comfort.
Grandpa, I love you. Thank you for the legacy that you have left me. I am proud for the opportunity to pass these memories to my children!
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