One Soldiers Story

The story I am about to tell is about Harold and Lily. They had known each other, basically, all their lives. They grew up in the same town, attended the same schools, and knew each others families. Harold would tease Lily in school as she pushed through school in a time where girls weren't expected to excel in school. You see, the time was later in the 1920's.

Harold would grow up to be a fine young man, who went off to college and start his life and maybe someday, his family. But trouble was brewing. It was the time of World War II. All the reserves had been deployed to war and there was a draft going on. At only 20 years old, and with less than a semester left to graduation, he would be trust into a time of war, never to go back to finish his education.

Upon hearing the news of his pending departure, Harold would ask young Lily to become his wife. "What will our families think?" She asks. "I don't know" He says. " But what if I go off to war and never have a wife?" He didn't want to go against anyones wishes, but he didn't want to be turned down either. They would secretly get married without the knowledge of either of their parents. By this time it was 1943. Harold was whisked away to war, his new wife left to live with her parents. She spent her time working as many women of the era would come to do. She worked hard to save money so that when he returned, they could have a home and start their life together.

Harold recounted his time in the service. He told stories of being in battle. He was stationed somewhere in the Phillipines. He told of how their boat was taken down by a blast and the soldiers on board had to wade to shore. Hoping, praying that they wouldn't be killed. He said that as they waded, waist deep in water, their guns held to their chests, not one shot was fired.

He also recounted many of the affairs that he witnessed. Many soldiers would fall into temptation and would loose themselves to the wars delights. He told me that the whole time he was at war, all he could think about was his Lily and being with her. He never thought twice about doing anything that would hurt her or their relationship. He mentioned many times how he and his wife had a "clean-slate" relationship. Nothing and noone ever came in between their relationship.

As he went on in his time in the military, he was given many chances to move up in rank. One such promotion came just as his tour of duty was about to come to an end. But he turned it down. He didn't want to spend any more time away from his girl. By this time, the families knew that they had wed. Noone was at odds about their decision to get married.

After leaving the army, Harold joined a buisness that would relocate him and his family a few times until they ended up in Kansas City. Toward the end of her life, Lily became quite ill. She got Alzheimers and forgot many things that had happened to her. Harold spoke of a time when she asked him if he knew where her husband was ... she was remembering him as the young man that she had married many years ago. It broke his heart, but he never left her side. In late 2004, she passed away. They had spent 61 years together as man and wife.
I learned of this incredible story tonight as members of my bibletalk and I went to a local rest home to help serve the residents and help out as family and friends brought in their children to "Trick or Treat." I was (and will always be) captivated by the story of one soldier. In a way, I am reminded of the relationship in the movie "The Notebook." Harold's devotion to his wife would transcend war and illness until the very end.