A letter from contributor Rev. Roland G. Perkins, from Circleville, Ohio, is a reminder of how much terror overflowed from foxholes under fire. He writes an extraordinary tale about how his call to the ministry was solidified during a bad day when he tried to cross the Rhine River with Patton’s Army. He writes:
We were helpless as our weapons were in the bottom of the boat. Men were dying all about. We prayed. Our boat lost half of our men, either killed or wounded. Had I been able to be a better swimmer, I think I would have jumped overboard. The two men in front of me were killed. The soldier beside me was struck in the back of his neck with a tracer bullet. I still can see it burning for just instant. He survived, however, and was later sent back…
The old hymn that we often sang at Mt. Horeb Church came to me. “Just as I am without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come” I saw my need to be saved. I prayed for forgiveness of my sins. I also made a promise to serve God in whatever way He had for me to serve if I did survive. In His mercy He has given me that privilege for many years of ministry. Some may frown on such “foxhole experiences” but I believe many have made their peace with God through such events. I am one of them. Keep reading…
Posted by Scott Gowans
Station Project Members:
Ohiowarstories.org is funded by the Ohio Humanities Council.
With generous support from the Longaberger Foundation, we are recording WWII stories in Licking County.
Contributing Stations:
