Remembering The Real Heroes

He was wounded in battle but his platoon was still in trouble. They were attacked during a landing assault on the Japanese controlled Tulagi Island in the British Solomon Islands during WWII. Although he was mortally wounded, First Lieutenant Eugene Morland Key of the U.S. Marine Corps, refused to retreat or give up. With his platoon under attack, rather than retreating from enemy fire, he continued moving forward. He moved close enough to throw hand grenades toward the enemy location. Because of his unselfish and heroic act, he was able to destroy the Japanese resistance allowing his platoon to move forward without any further loss of life. Lieutenant Key lost his life that day in order to save the lives of the other men in his platoon.

I've never heard of Eugene Morland Key until this week. With Memorial Day coming up, I just did an internet search for hometown heroes. I wanted to know the stories of men and women from my neck of the woods that had given their lives to secure my freedom. I wanted to know who was responsible for my freedom to celebrate this weekend. I wanted to move beyond the concept of "nameless" heroes as I determined to know the names of those who spilled their blood for me and my family. The story of this hero named Eugene Morland Key came up on my internet search. A man from Conroe, Texas who gave all on the battle field. In our world that is fascinated by comic book superheroes, I discovered a real hero. A man, whose story should be told not simply on some obscure website, but shouted from the rooftops.

I've lived in this town for the majority of my life. I grew up here. I was raised here and today I am raising my family here. I consider it a shame that at 51 years old, I heard of this Navy Cross recipient's story for the first time this week. I've spent who knows how much money through the years taking my kids to see movies about fictitious heroes. We've watched countless sporting events where we elevate athletes to a position hero status because of their athletic abilities. All the while the stories of the real heroes get pushed to the back burner. While we kick back and enjoy our freedom, the heroes of our nation fade to the background.

Perhaps that's the way they would want it. After all, I don't think too many people set out to be heroes. That's what makes them heroes, really. It's not about them. It's not about having their name in lights and making their name famous. It's about valuing something more than life itself. Heroism is about a willingness to sacrifice self for a cause greater than self. It's about esteeming others as more important than self. Heroism is about a man like Lieutenant Key who valued the lives of the other men in his platoon more than his own life. "Greater love has no man than this, than he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

While the Navy Cross is an incredible honor, men like Key deserve so much more. He didn't give his life on that day, to be awarded a medal. He did it because he believed in what this country stood for. He believed in the concepts of liberty, freedom, and justice for all. His sacrifice, as well as the sacrifice of every other man and woman like him, is worthy of our honor. Their stories of heroism are deserving of being told over and over. We honor them by remembering them, by remembering their names, and by remembering their stories. We honor them by never forgetting that the freedom and liberty we experience everyday is because of their incredible sacrifices. We honor them by taking advantage of the life that we've been given. We honor them by living life to its fullest, and embracing every day we live and every breath we breathe with thankfulness and joy.

I pray you had an awesome Memorial Day weekend. Heroes like Key gave their lives to make that possible for you. I hope you'll never forget that truth. I hope you'll never forget the real heroes who gave up all so that you can live in freedom. Today, as you enjoy your left-over brisket, or hamburgers, or hotdogs, and post those Memorial Day pics on social media, just keep in mind all of those who gave up those simple pleasures so you could enjoy them.

Tim is the lead pastor at Westlake Fellowship in Montgomery, Texas. If you live in the area, join us Sunday mornings at 10:30 am at 19786 Hwy 105 Suite 120 in Montgomery (beside Magnolia Diner).

For more on remembering the real heroes, watch the video below:

Pick up a copy of Tim's book, "Yep, Even That One: a believer's guide to loving your neighbor." Available now on Amazon.com