Veteran’s Day is coming up. It’s on November 11th. To be honest, it was only after coming to Gracepoint over 20 years ago that I developed an appreciation for our veterans (I know, it’s pretty sad). Over the years, I heard Pastor Ed Kang always talk about our war veterans and about how he’s come to appreciate them, especially the ones who fought in the Korean War. “If it weren’t for them,” Pastor Ed said, “I wouldn’t be here.” It’s so true. And you know, I wouldn’t be here either.
My appreciation for our veterans reached new heights as I travelled to Washington D.C. this summer with the Acts2Fellowship Blue Seniors. We spent five days at our country’s capital, visiting the White House, the Capitol building, the Smithsonian, the Holocaust Museum and, or course, the War Memorials. Even though this was my fourth visit to D.C., I had never gone to Arlington National Cemetary. So, I made it a point to tell Judge Hensley, who organized our trip and who is now serving as a staff intern at Gracepoint Austin, to make sure we planned a visit to Arlington. And we did. And I was overwhelmed.
I was overwhelmed as I walked with hundreds of others up the rolling hills that once used to belong to General Robert Lee. First it was the sheer silence. And then it was the sea of tombstones. Walking up hill was difficult, as I tried to process the thought of how all of these men and women served our country, believing that the security of our country and our world were greater than their own lives.
Fifteen minutes into the walk, I stumbled upon the tombstone of Sgt.William Windrich. William Windrich served in the Korean War and died in 1953, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor. Not too many soldiers earned the medal of honor. In fact, those who did didn’t live to tell about it. And it was at this moment, that I completely lost it.
“Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.” That’s what it says at the Korean War Memorial. William Windrich was one of those sons. Not only did he go to defend people unknown to him, but when he got there he gave his life. He gave it to defend a people unknown to him, for people like my parents, grandparents and my aunts and my uncles. And if it weren’t for men and women like him, I, a Korean American, wouldn’t be here.
I stood there before his tombstone for what seemed like hours, wondering how he died and if he left behind a family. I wondered if he struggled with his final decision or if it was a no brainer. How on earth could any man choose to leave his world to defend a country he never knew?
When I got back home I googled William Windrich, and I found this entry on arlingtoncemetary.net.
“Late in the afternoon of 1 December 1950, because his company was surrounded by enemy aggressors at Yudam-ni, they were ordered to move toward Hagaru-ri. By the time they reached Hill 1520 (Hill number shows elevation in meters), three miles southeast of Yudam-ni, it was very dark and the temperature averaged a minus 40 degrees. The company relocated a few times, then back to the knoll, between two rugged mile high mountains where they were bombarded by grenades, machine gun and rifle fire. Staff Sergeant Windrich led a rifle squad of twelve men to meet the enemy head on, while armed with a M-2 carbine. Seven of his men were wounded or killed before they reached the forward position they were to defend. Windrich was also wounded in the head by a bursting grenade. As blood gushed down his shoulder and back he moved his remaining men into a tight fire group. Then he ran to the company command post, drafting a small group of volunteers, and led them to evacuate the dying and wounded. Assuming command of what was left of a platoon, Windrich once more took up defensive positions. Now he was shot in both legs, but kept fighting, always refusing medical attention. For a long time he crawled in the snow, back and forth between his men shouting words of encouragement, deploying his forces and helping to throw back the attackers. It was only after the communist had been beaten off did Staff Sergeant Windrich collapse and die due to the bitter cold, excessive loss of blood and severe pain.”
President Harry S. Truman posthumously awarded the Medal Honor to his widow and his seven year old daughter. He had a family, and knowing this made my appreciation for him even greater. I feel indebted–to him and to men and women like him. And you know, by feeling indebted I feel rich, as a person and as a human being. Why? Because their courage and sacrifice encourage me to do the same. They encourage me to count the cost, to leave my comfort zone and to believe that the lives of others are more important than my own. And when I do, I feel so alive. And it’s during these moments that I understand why Jesus said that in order to find my life I must lose it.
William Windrich wasn’t the only one who served with valor and with sacrifice. The tombstones around him were evidence of that. And this Veteran’s day I will remember. I couldn’t help but think that the times–or rather the men and the women–were really different back then. They devoted their lives to fight for a better world so that people like me can live with freedom. I am indebted to them for giving me life and for helping me “find my life” when I am self absorbed or feeling sorry for myself.
I’m thankful for Veterans Day. I’m thankful for all the men and women who served our country. I want to remember their valor, their selflessness and their willingness to fulfill their call to duty. And I want to honor them by living just as courageously and just as sacrificially as they did as I live my life for Christ and His Kingdom.
Thanks for sharing this p.Will. I too felt a similar sense of gratitude during our visit to the Arlington National Cemetery. At the time, I couldn’t help but think of my stepfather who served in the Vietnam War (and his dad, who served in the Korean War). I remember calling him during our walk and thanking him for his sacrifice. It doesn’t bring him much joy to talk about his service there because to him, it’s just filled with terror, pain and a bunch of “what-ifs.” On this coming Veteran’s Day though, I want to thank him and let him know that his courage and sacrifice will always be remembered.
Thanks for your post, Pastor Will! Reading about different men and women who served our country so selflessly and willingly was truly so touching, and is a good reminder to me to also live my life in this way.
Thanks for sharing P. Will. I’m very thankful that we are taught how to be grateful, how to remember, and how to notice what’s around us at our church. I never saw my life as that “United Airline hub” imagery that P. Ed mentioned and only saw the artificial boundary around me. I feel truly enriched knowing that even if I didn’t know even the founding fathers from 200+ years ago or these brave people who gave their lives so that my own relatives could survive so that I could be here today that their lives have affected mine. In the same manner, when I became aware as a Jr. of the magnitude of what God had been doing all along around me and in my own life and when I became aware of all that my leaders had done for me I became overwhelmed. So much blessing & richness for a sinner like me? What mercy & amazing grace that is. Thank you for sharing. The retreat, the message on Sun and this entry made me think about the many ways in which I am so richly blessed.
Sounds like it’s time for a Class of 08 sisters peer trip to Washington D.C. too!
Thank you for this post.
Before I too didn’t see Veteran’s Day being more than just a holiday from school. But through our church I’ve learned to appreciate much more the sacrifice of those who served in our military, to provide us the freedom we enjoy, including the freedom to worship God without any barriers. For that I am very thankful.
My supervisor (who proudly served in the Marines) yesterday even showed us a special happy birthday video to the Marines as it was their 234th Birthday. The video expressed their courage and bravery in service to our country, willing to give their lives for their fellow soldiers, and living out their motto, Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful). And it was a challenge for me to also live a life of faithfulness in my spiritual walk.
Finally, to bring things closer to home, the recent tragedy at Ft. Hood affected us as some of our students in Austin live in the Killeen area (just about over 1 hour from UT). Their parents or close relatives served in the military, and thankfully they are all safe, but it was a tragic event nonetheless that affected everyone in that community – and we all prayed for healing for those families affected.
Thank John for those words. I will remember our soliders and families at Ft. Hood, along with all of our veterans today. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you for sharing, P. William and John.
What you said here really hit me…
“I am indebted to them for giving me life and for helping me “find my life” when I am self absorbed or feeling sorry for myself.”
b/c so often I AM self-absorbed or feeling sorry for myself, but taking a look outside of myself I see that there is a people to be indebted to, there is also a people to rise up and serve, and most importantly there is a God to honor.
Reading this post this morning of Veteran’s Day really changed my perspective of this American holiday.
Thanks for the post Pastor Will,
Veteran’s Day has more meaning to me now than when I was growing up. Almost exactly three years ago, my friend Jang Ho Kim gave his life while serving in Iraq. He was only 20 years old.
I’m thankful for his service and his sacrifice and the hundreds of thousands of brave Americans who defend the freedoms we enjoy. But I’m sooo thankful that death is not the end for Jang, and that because of our Lord we will one day see each other again in heaven. Praise God for that awesome hope.
Thank you for this sharing Pastor Will, I was moved by the story of William Windrich’s who persevered and fought so hard to defend a country they never knew and a people they had never met. I am amazed at their selflessness and willingness to sacrifice their lives and really reminded me that I am indebted to far more people than I think.
When I read this post, it brought back to mind the many soldiers and officers that I used to know, when I was small and overseas. In the years since, I often wonder what has become of them, if they survived and returned home safely or if they ended their lives in some far away land. This post also reminded me of when my dad’s funeral. On that day, one man who I had always thought of as a professor revealed that he had been serving his country in a difference capacity for decades. And there were many others who were like him. I made me realize that there is a whole host of men who stand around this nation to protect it, and perhaps die doing so, for the sake of those like me. It made me once again feel like such a debtor to the police officer I saw today, the fireman standing by his truck, the unknown soldier in Afghanistan, and the countless others who work keep my civilian life peaceful, regular and free of so many troubles.