Leslie H. Sabo Sr. Died in 1977.
He died without knowing the
whole story of his son's death. That's not surprising. There were very
few people who knew how Army Specialist Leslie Sabo, Jr. Spent his last
moments on May 10, 1970.
This is Sabo's story: He was serving
with the 101st Airborne Division in Cambodia when his unit was ambushed
by a superior North Vietnamese force. Sabo charged one group of soldiers
and killed some. Then he turned on another group and made them fall
back. It was during that second charge that an enemy grenade landed at
his feet. Sabo picked it up and threw it back, and then he used his own
body as a shield to protect a wounded friend. Sabo's last charge was
against an enemy emplacement. He threw a grenade, which put them out of
commission.
That grenade also took Sabo's life.
It was a
brave thing that Specialist Sabo did. Too bad his actions were forgotten
for over 40 years.
Indeed, it was entirely by accident that a
reporter came across Sabo's story, shared it and set the wheels in
motion which, on May 16th, granted a posthumous Medal of Honor to the
fallen soldier.
You know, it's a sad thing when people forget the
sacrifices of those who died to grant them freedom.
It's sad when
a nation forgets its soldiers.
It's sad when individuals forget
their Savior.
You see, 2,000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth led a
charge against the forces that had dominated and subjugated this world.
It was a one-Man charge: a mission which was sure to end in the death of
the Person making it.
Knowing what was demanded, what was
necessary if sinners were to be forgiven and the lost were to be saved,
Jesus made that charge.
Read His story, and you will see He did
not hesitate; He did not complain, and He did not try to save Himself.
Jesus gave His all, so we might be freed from the tyranny of sin and the
devil, from the overwhelming power of death.
No, it's a sad thing
when people forget. This is why this devotion is designed to help you
remember two who gave themselves so others might live.
THE
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for having given up Your life so I might be
forgiven and saved, I offer my thanks. Grant that I never forget what
You have done. In Your Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
