Memorial Day will be coming up soon — the last Monday in May. About a week later, June 6, it will be the anniversary of D-Day, the day in 1944 when U.S. and other Allied forces landed on Normandy Beach in France to root out Hitler’s forces and begin to capture the victory in World War II.
Our late editor Hudson Baggett, who died in 1994, had served in the army during World War II. As a part of the American forces that made a very difficult landing at Anzio in Italy, severe injuries made his survival unsure. Dr. Baggett didn’t talk about his army service, but he wrote a good many editorials about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Three recent events at Baptist churches around Birmingham showed me that senior adults know where real victory originates.
Bill Graham served as a soldier in France during World War II. Surviving members of his unit still hold regular reunions. For more than 20 years, Bill and Liz Graham have been my next-door neighbors. Married more than 50 years, the Grahams are longtime, much-loved members of Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover.
Recently the church invited former members back for a program, lunch and a tour of the new facilities. Brother Graham led a part of the program. It was my privilege to represent The Alabama Baptist. During the time for congregational singing, I noticed the strongest participation came when everyone sang “Victory in Jesus.”
Last week Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, held a senior adult revival, and a former director for The Alabama Baptist, retired Huntsville pastor Ralph Langley, came to preach for them. Again, one of the most moving moments came when everyone joined in singing “Victory in Jesus.”
Bob Sisk of Birmingham served three years in the South Pacific during World War II and earned the Purple Heart. After the war, he returned home and became part of a team that designed nuclear power plants.
May 9 was his 82nd birthday. Heis disabled, but his wife of 55 years, Mary, still celebrates victories. The Sisks live near South Avondale Baptist Church, Birmingham, and were formerly active there. Now he cannot move or speak.
Brother Sisk had an aneurysm in 1995 and a series of strokes the next year that caused his current condition. Although she is much smaller, his wife is able to lift him from his bed into his chair. An equal effort on her part is required to return him to his bed.
Last Saturday a yard sale was being held behind the South Avondale church. It benefitted the ministries of M-Power, a cooperative effort between Birmingham Baptist Association, inner-city families and several churches in the Birmingham area.
Mrs. Sisk came by and offered to donate a sofa if someone could follow her home and help her load the sofa.
While she and I were loading the sofa and some other items, she told me, “I would like for you to visit with the love of my life.”
She took me in to her husband and lifted his right hand so he could shake hands. He still has a strong grip. Although he could not speak, his eyes communicated strongly several times as I visited with him.
I told Bro. Sisk, “You have a wonderful wife,” but she quickly deflected the compliment with: “I have a wonderful husband.” Mrs. Sisk said God gives her the strength to do what she has to do.
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).”
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