Saturday, the sixth of June, marks the anniversary of the World War II battle known as “D-Day.” On this day in 1944, Allied troops landed on the coast of France and secured a foothold that allowed them to begin to take the battle right to Adolf Hitler. More than 9,000 Allied troops were killed or wounded on this day, more than 2,500 on the Omaha beach alone.
We thought we’d pull together a few resources to help us remember the sacrifices made in order to secure our freedoms
For example, take a few minutes and watch this incredible video, “The Medal of Honor – Robert Maxwell’s Story” from our friends at FPC, Bonita Springs, FL.
The following article was penned by John McWilliams. 
Robert Maxwell is our nation’s oldest living recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor and has a great story to share. He’s also a committed Christian and will tell you that although he wears the Medal of Honor around his neck, the most important thing he ever did was to accept Christ as his Savior and Lord.
As you’ll hear him tell it, Bob was a part of some of the most important campaigns of World War II, but on September 7, 1944, at about 2:00 A. M. when a live German hand grenade landed at his feet, Bob had only about 3 seconds to make a choice that would change his life forever.
In this video you’ll hear him tell that amazing story, as well as share his faith in Christ. You’ll also see how the video was specifically designed to be a tool you can use to lovingly challenge non-Christian friends and family to consider the reality of God and the necessity for a Savior.
Here are some ways it can be used in your congregation.
- Post it on your congregation’s website and encourage people to watch and share it.
- Make copies of it to give out to veterans during a special event in their honor.
- Make up business sized cards with the URL on it and hand those cards out to various people like a bank teller, the person next to you on a plane, the plumber who comes to your house or the people in line with you at the grocery store. If you just put a card in someone’s hands and pray The Lord will use it, He can do the rest.
Robert Maxwell
The Internet address is Vimeo.com/125098415 and it’s also available on YouTube. This just may be one of the easiest ways you may ever find to share your faith with someone else. This video has the potential of reaching tens of thousands of people and has already been viewed by people in 6 other countries, including Israel. The number of people seeing it grows every day and you’re invited to be a part of sharing this video with others. Special thanks go out to the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, Florida and their Men’s Ministry Fellowship for financially underwriting the costs of making and producing this video.
“In a time when the word “hero” suffers from over-usage and inflated application, meet a real American hero in every sense of the word, Bob Maxwell, World War II Medal of Honor recipient. Yet, he is quick to point out that the true hero in his life is the risen Lord Jesus, who died to grant eternal life. This is a poignant and powerful message for all to hear!” Dr. Bob Jack, Pastor Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, N. C.
“Bob Maxwell’s story is inspiring and amazing. His courage in serving his country as a young man defies description. And his personal faith and character shine like a bright beacon. How desperately our society needs to be reminded of the values of this man and his ‘Greatest Generation’!” Dr. Doug Pratt, Pastor First Presbyterian Church, Bonita Springs, Florida.
by John McW
That Beach
by John McWilliams
If you go there today, the beach is so calm.
The houses are pretty, kids walk with their Mom.
Yet back on that Day, at the first light of sun,
Thousands had come, with a job to get done.
Leaving their families, their homes and their wives,
They went there and willingly offered their lives.
They’d come to fight evil, corruption and sin,
A fight like no others had ever been in.
The bullets were flying, bombs bursting in air.
Yet they ran toward the guns and all that was there.
Most were like boys, about to be men.
Yet ask them today and they’d do it again.
They didn’t have trees or mountains for cover.
Yet they did have their faith, in God and each other.
They went to that beach, to set people free.
They went to that beach for you and for me.
As they crawled on their bellies and did what they could,
They stood against evil, and triumphed for good.
It wasn’t a picnic. It wasn’t for fun.
They all worked together. They got the job done.
It’s important we pause as a nation to see,
What they did on that beach kept us safe, kept us free.
All we now have, our freedoms and joys,
Were paid for and purchased by those brave young boys.
So, next time you go to the beach for a day,
Take time to consider, be thankful and pray.
We sometimes forget. We sometimes don’t see.
It’s the brave who have made us, the land of the free.
As you go to your beach and have fun by the sea,
It’s just what those soldiers would like it to be.
Yet always be grateful, be willing to see,
That they went to that beach, for you and for me.