A Memory on Memorial Day

Floyd Wise, 83, went to his new home with the Lord on December 24, 2014.

Floyd was born on May 21, 1931, in Atlanta, GA, the third of eight children. He graduated high school in 1950 and served as an Army supply clerk in the 595th Engineering Company, stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War.

It was later in life that I learned this story…
His unit was on the ship and was called off the ship. Everyone except dad. Those men were sent to Korea. Dad went on to Okinawa. Dad later learned all the men sent to Korea were killed in Korea.

My dad, the only one kept on the ship.

At this point in his life, dad did not have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Returning to Atlanta after his discharge, dad worked for the Southern Freight Association, where he met my mother, Audrey. He began attending Youth for Christ revival meetings with her. It was at a church revival meeting that dad waited until everyone left the church and went to talk to the pastor and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

I believe God saved my dad from physically being killed on that fateful day. HE saved him so he could be saved.

This weekend on Facebook memories the picture came up of my dad. This was the caption: May 26,2014 – My sweet dad went to the VA hospital last week for a yearly checkup. For his Cognitive test, he was asked to write a sentence. My sister said he had to think a minute but then wrote, “Everybody needs Jesus.” Even though dementia is trying to steal, I am so happy my dad’s faithfulness to the LORD shines bright.

This Memorial Day, I’m thankful for a God who sees every soldier. I’m thankful for the Freedom of Religion we have in this country. I’m thankful my dad chose to serve his country and, most importantly, later chose to serve the Lord. I’m thankful the Lord preserved my dad until he came to faith in Christ Jesus. My dad was faithful to the Lord all his life. This is worthy of remembrance on Memorial Day.