As we recognize the immense heroism displayed 75 years ago on the beaches of Normandy, we are reminded of a quote from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

Roughly 4,400 men paid that ultimate price on June 6th, 1944 to initiate the march of freeing the world from Nazi tyranny.

My wife and I along with another couple recently visited that Normandy landing site. We stood at a German “pill box” overlooking the expansive sandy beach, weakly trying to imagine what it must have been like trying to cross it under heavy artillery and machine gun fire. Mere words are inadequate to express…

Earlier that day, we had visited the gravesite at the Brittany cemetery of 1LT Thomas Caswell McAllister–my Dad’s cousin and childhood friend that he recognized by naming me in his honor. LT McAllister was a P-47 fighter pilot of the 365th Fighter Group (the Hell Hawks) who was killed in action ten days after D-day.

Though very capable in air-to-air combat given its eight 50-cal machine guns (4 on each wing), the P-47 Thunderbolt was a rugged aircraft that was often relied upon for close air support of ground operations and could carry 5-inch rockets or a bomb load of 2500 pounds. In support of Allied infantry combat forces, Tom’s fighter was hit by ground fire and as he tried to eject from his wounded aircraft, his parachute caught the tail of the plane and it carried him down. Despite being killed in the early weeks of the invasion, the intensity of the conflict is demonstrated in the fact that he had already accumulated 6 Air medals. He was later awarded posthumously the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) for his exemplary actions in his last mission. He was 23 years old.

Warfare brings out both the best and worst of men. And until Christ returns, there will always be wars and rumors of war in the physical sense. More importantly, we all need to recognize the great struggle and battle that we are currently immersed. This is a battle not of flesh and blood…but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12)

As we honor the heroic efforts of our fellow men and women in time of war, let us also pause to recognize and respond to this current spiritual battle we are now engaged. Unlike the D-Day invasion, the outcome of this battle is certain. It has already been won at the cross of Calvary where our Lord paid the ultimate price for all humanity–He gave Himself as a ransom for all so that we may escape death and have eternal life with Him.

Though the war has been won, we are still fighting the battles as our mission is to be useful servants/soldiers to our Lord to help reclaim the prisoners and the lost, to assist the wounded and the hurting, and to encourage and exhort our fellow, faithful brethren.

So, onward Christian soldiers! Let us not grow weary, but go forth armed with the sword of Truth and the saving medicine of God’s love. Victory is ours!