Christmas is a good time to think of the age-old saying, “there is no greater love than when someone gives up their life for someone else.” In combat this happens regularly, even between enemy combatants.
The following World War I story illustrates this.
The scene: a snowy European landscape blackened by war days before Christmas, 1917. The trenches on one side hold German soldiers; the other is filled with American Doughboys. The night is filled with exchanges of gunfire, exploding grenades, and mortar rounds.
A kid named “Brooklyn” fires at a target, and yells, “Ah got ‘em! A hush suddenly falls. Both sides listen to the screams and moans of the German soldier wounded by Brooklyn’s bullet and entangled in barbed wire.
“See, I told ya I got ‘em!” Brooklyn whispers loudly. Both sides seem frozen as the man’s anguish increases.
Brooklyn grits his teeth, “I can’t stand it anymore! I’m gonna end it for that poor S.O.B.” As he scrambles up onto the battlefield, German soldiers open fire as he moves toward the wounded man. The Americans return the fire.
Abruptly the American Commander orders a cease fire, and shortly the German Commander does the same. All watch as Brooklyn walks to the wounded man and pulls out his bayonet.
Lifting the German’s head exposing his throat, he cuts the barbed wire away and picks him up. Carrying him to the German lines, Brooklyn places him at the feet of the German Commander.
As Brooklyn turns to go back to the American lines he is stopped by the Commander, who is wearing the Iron Cross – Germany’s highest honor for bravery.
Removing it, he pinned it on Brooklyn’s chest and saluted him. Brooklyn returns the salute and wishes him a Merry Christmas.
Even though the brutality of battle resumed, those precious moments would never be forgotten by the soldiers on either side. It was a special act of kindness in the midst of all the madness.
From me to you, I hope you accept all the blessings that come your way. Thanks for serving so all can enjoy the freedoms we have fought to preserve. Happy Holidays.
