The Soldier's Story

The somber black wall, engraved with rows and rows of names, filled Wylder with awe. He was visiting Washington, D.C. with his family, and he was standing in front of the monument honoring the men and women who had died while serving in the Vietnam War. All their names were listed on the wall.An older man wearing a veteran's hat stood nearby. He seemed to be looking for something as he read the names. Then he placed a finger on one of them and began tracing the letters. Over and over he traced the letters of that name. Curious, Wylder edged closer. He was surprised to see tears on the man's cheeks. The man noticed him, and feeling embarrassed, Wylder backed away."It's all right, son," said the man. "Let me explain the reason for these tears." He squatted down and looked Wylder in the eye. "The name I was tracing belongs to a good friend of mine--a man who fought with me in Vietnam. We were together when a grenade landed right beside us. Glenn threw himself on it and took all the fury of the explosion. He died for me. Because of him, I'm alive today." The man gave Wylder a trembling smile and turned to go.Wylder later told his parents what the man had said. "It must be a strange feeling to know that somebody died to save your life," Wylder said."I'm sure it is," said Dad. He nodded thoughtfully. "Actually, that happened to you too, Wylder. Someone did die to save you."Wylder was stunned. "Someone died to save my life? Who?""Jesus," replied Dad. "All that He suffered on the cross was for you, Wylder. It was to pay for your sins and mine and those of everyone else in the world. He sacrificed His life to save us.""Wow!" said Wylder. "I knew that, but it seems more real now after talking to that soldier." He looked down the length of the wall. "If I see him around here again, maybe I'll get a chance to tell him that someone died to save me too." -Carolyn E. Yost