Thursday, March 28, AD 2024 12:10pm

Wainwright’s Prayer

After General Douglas MacArthur, over his fiery objections, was ordered to leave Bataan during the Japanese conquest of the Philippines, Lieutenant General Jonathan Wainwright was left in command, putting up a heroic fight until forced to surrender his starving, diseased ridden force.  Wainwright was the only American general to be captured by the Japanese and he endured the hell on earth that was Japanese prison camps, where some 37% of Allied prisoners died of starvation and the brutality of their captors.  Wainwright insisted on sharing the privation of his men, and risked his life many times to intervene on behalf of his fellow prisoners with their captors.

After he was liberated, he was a walking skeleton.  Douglas MacArthur gave him the signal honor  of featuring prominently in the surrender ceremony by which Imperial Japan capitulated.

 

After he returned home he was promoted to four star rank and retired to a successful business career.  He received the Medal of Honor as a tribute to the heroic leadership he displayed during the battle for Bataan.  In the fall of 1945 he wrote the following Thanksgiving Prayer:

Oh, God, our Father, today we give Thee thanks for the things we take for granted, for freedom, for security of life, for food and shelter, and the presence of loved ones…. We thank Thee that once again men may have hope, opportunity to work and plan for a better future, a chance to secure peace, and an ampler life for themselves and their children.  

Keep us humble in the day of victory, make us wise in the presence of great problems, strong and brave in the face of any danger, and sympathetic and generous as we face the appalling need of a war-torn world.  

In gratitude for all those who paid the price of victory we now ask Thy guidance as we dedicate ourselves to that cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion. Lord of Hosts, be with us yet, lest we forget!

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Mary De Voe
Tuesday, November 26, AD 2019 7:54am

Good

DonL
DonL
Tuesday, November 26, AD 2019 2:44pm

I recall Wainwright’s surrender in Bataan, without the customary sword to hand over in humiliation. It was, in a weird way, almost a victory.

father of seven
father of seven
Wednesday, November 27, AD 2019 6:53am

What an amazing man. He exemplified what set America apart. We had leaders who acknowledged our dependence on God and who were grateful. May we always be blessed to be led by such men.

CAM
CAM
Wednesday, November 27, AD 2019 6:37pm

Been in the Malinta tunnels of Corregidor in late 1980s. Creepy only second to the Roman catacombs.
The soldiers were heroes and nurses heroines. After Corregidor Is. surrender Bataan Death March for the men who survived; horrible POW camps for Death March survivors. The Japanese cruelest to Philippine soldiers. So proud of our military and leaders like General Wainwright. Very sobering visit.

Philip Nachazel
Philip Nachazel
Thursday, November 28, AD 2019 4:03am

“Lord of Hosts, be with us yet, lest we forget!”

Amen.
I’m thankful for historians.
Add to that men and women who fight the battle of political correctness.
They will not be silenced nor will I in this sinful age of acceptance regardless.
God is to be thanked every day.
On Thanksgiving day a few years ago I was reprimanded for leading a prayer of thanks to God before our meal was served at the assisted living center.
To hell with atheism.
If an atheist gets the last word in weather or not a prayer of thanks can or cannot be prayed on Thanksgiving day in public then let them suffer……in a closet. Let God fearing people pray together in public while those opposed sit in a dark closet. After all…it is what awaits them in the hereafter.
Loneliness.

To TAC.

Happy and courageous Thanksgiving to all if you.
God’s peace.
God’s blessing be yours.

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