Detroit evening times., 1945-09-23


lay him to rest the chaplain added
TIE RECALLED Sunday when he saw Jap air bomb
make direct hit jeep carrying three American
ders They knew what hit them He picked up part
the remains of 300 yards from the spot The biggest
fragments three hands two right and left Before he
could bury these he had TO fngerprn them times for each
hand
n Unnerved from watching him one soldier exclaimed as the
chaplain tagged the last hand
boy! you're hard!
But when the chaplain looked UP and the soldier saw tears
down cheeks his hand the padres shoulder
and said simply:
I'm sorry sir"
BuruE boys of the saddest tasks Of the and
often Of the dangerous.
The padre Capt. Andrews of Galveston
Tex chaplain attached infantry battalion
Sympathetic, understanding, unfaing in his devotion ne
invaluable officers and 10 other chapains In
strong bolster the spiritually well the physically weak
and Chaplain Andrews constant comfort to all men whose
souls were troubled.
Ices for his boys that entrusted 10 his care was laid
to And when he awarded the
Star every his outfit prouder than he who in
his natural humility felt pride except in his service to God
and to man.
TN ENGLAND said mass for group Of soldiers
part stormng the Normandy beaches raining
and many of the boys open Suddenly
more trucks drove up and several hundred piled
gathered with US the altar built
knet in the and mud Inotced the names
the sailors sker Those names made me realize
again the great number OF ntonaes represented IN our
country. united form Americas body and soul
every the Union were there men whose
kneng before the altar Of Him whom they acknowledged as
commander in chief of their souls
gathering of humble and my heart stirred
emotional of giving communion to boys full and
ripe with life knowing that would die before the day would
n When told them of my admiration Of them and even
thanked them for this expression of faith soldier said to ME
after the services:
fea TO have deep faith father TO come so far and
stay long in this weather."
"A MOTHER youngster-a lean red-headed friendly sailor
skednn il write
written home Naturally TO, impossible
without bottng out each word wrote he
suggested 60 the taiboard truck And did
This boy he number Of other sailors with
him the Pacific and the letter he asked to
mail expression he said of what an the boys
aboard his troopshp felt about their chapans
And conveyed to his loved what
minds and hearts Of thousands of boys part
of the world today felt that others should have the privilege
of sharing that letter with It's writer said that might make
a copy and here il is:
First to tell you something know will make
you happy It's not only about it's about one of the
swelest fellows | met-our chaplain.
HE lives life and talks language! We to him
with troubles he listens His cathedral is
corner of the mess and stained glass port
holes small round stained only with salt water We built
the table he for altar and all that the altar
and his vestments, in a little black bag
lectures sermonizes He just talks to and
his talks full of praise and encouragement
eGVXIHENEVER we feel scary there's big show
w coming there's line waiting outside his
quarters; and non-Cathocs He gives all his
blessing advice and when there's alarm he
gives general absOution.
"IIe can be funny little blue printed
called ration tickets and which that is
than FIVE minutes of crying beehng "a
. hours.
when we stormed beachhead he was right
him minister the wounded and dying knee deep In the
unge with rain pouring down his face his clothes drenched
mo take place with me- hut II could.
he Is mother father and friend to all of
yet II he knew that was writing about him and praSng
him this way, I'm afraid I'd lose him fred for he keeps
secrets and expects us TO keep his,
These are our chapains boys To fighting
better definition of democracywhether for
nations ndvduasthan the golden rule While some
call it "utopiansm "trie wishful thinking" know that