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I Knew You Would Come
John H. G. Rasmussen

One of my favorite stories of selfless service and loyalty comes from World War Two. Ted and Al were two GIs who had become very close friends. They took care of each other when facing danger, and they comforted one another when lonely, cold, tired and scared. They promised each other that should one fall, the other would do his very best to bring his friend to safety.

During one of the offensives, while under constant enemy fire, Al was wounded. In the chaos of the fight, Ted had fallen back with the troops and didn't know that Al was still on the battlefield. He was horrified when he heard his friend moaning, helpless, and at the mercy of the enemy. Ted resolved to keep his promise, and to go out and get him at all costs. Disobeying an order from the new 2LT, he made his way up under enemy fire to bring his friend back. When he had returned to the foxhole, Al had died on the way. The 2LT asked, "Well, was it worth it?" Ted looked up and said, "Yes. Al's last words were, 'I knew you would come.'"

As the parties and revelry of the Independence Day Weekend come to an end and we return to work, it is appropriate to take one last look at the price that had to be paid for that independence, that freedom we enjoy. Take one last look at the story of Ted and Al. This story has repeated itself countless times, in countless places, in countless battles. We have our precious United States of America because, like Al, others have laid down their lives, spilt their blood, and sacrificed their futures on the altar of freedom for you and for me. We stand in the light of liberty because like Ted, others stuck with their Country, their corps, and each other through thick and thin, refusing to leave friends and comrades in the lurch. That’s the true and final meaning of selfless service and loyalty.

As a Christian I believe that these words of Jesus are true: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13). Jesus demonstrated the perfect selfless service and loyalty when he died on the cross for all humankind, redeeming us for his Father. But I also believe that in a small way all our Teds and Als reflect Christ’s glory in their sacrifice as well. And I pray that God will give me the courage and the faith to follow in his . . . and their footsteps, and to be worthy to hear Al’s final words at the end of the battle: "I knew you would come."

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