Never Give Up--Happy New Year!

This is a wonderful story from kind friend Dale Lincoln:

To all readers of this article:

I hope that you remember year 2007 as a “Good Year.” If for some reason, Year 2007 isn’t remembered that way, please try to hang in there, “Hunker down ‘til the storm passes by!” Do your best, Try to smile through your tears, and try to find a way to get through the hard times. Unexpected help may be near, and your future may be much brighter.

The following article tells of people that found a way to survive very bad situations. Their futures became brighter..

Dale C. Lincoln
9 Thompson Store Road
Perry, Maine
At Zephyrhills, Fl
Dec. 30, 2007

NEVER GIVE UP!

(A) People are amused with the cartoon: A frog is in the mouth of a long-necked bird while the legs of the frog are choking the bird! “NEVER GIVE UP!” are the words under the picture.
Do you remember a time when you were like the frog,---in a hopeless situation but you held on with a grip that was slipping? Many people have survived traumatic events. When they tell their stories they often mention that it was only God’s help that allowed them to have a future. You may be familiar with some of their stories.

(B) For several years Donn Fendler’s picture is on the front page of a Maine newspaper as he makes a summer visit to Maine. He finds people of all ages that enjoy listening to his story. Thousands of people have read the book: LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE and have learned that Donn Fendler kept going when he felt all hope was gone. In year 2004, Sixty five years after his ordeal near Mt. Kathadin, Donn appeared to be healthy and happy.

© A TV documentary a few years ago describes a 26-mile marathon. Near the end of the race the person running in second place loses sight of the runner ahead of him. Although he feels disappointed and discouraged he keeps running. A few minutes later he is the winner of the race. Runner #1 had fallen down and couldn’t get up only a few inches from the finish line.

(D) In December, 1862, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, with the 20th. Maine Regiment, was at the lower parts of Marye’s Heights at Fredricksburg, VA. During one long cold night he watched the northern lights flicker and used dead bodies for protection from the enemy. At that time it may have been difficult for him to imagine his future. However, he was still healthy the next day when he left Fredricksburg with the survivors of his regiment. Six months later he led his troops at the Battle of Gettysburg and won The Congressional Medal Of Honor. During the siege of Petersburg he was severely wounded. Joshua Chamberlain appeared to be on his death bed when he was promoted to the rank of General. He made a remarkable recovery and returned to active duty. The day the American Civil War ended he was at Appomattox, VA, and gave his famous salute to the defeated Confederate troops. In future years he became Governor of the State of Maine and President of Bowdoin College.

(D) Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery found himself with many British and French troops facing annilation by the German Army at Dunkirk in May 1941. A decision by Hitler delayed the advances of the German Armies. Heroic efforts by the British Navy and civilian boatmen from Great Britian rescued “Monte” and most of the troops from the beach and transported them across the English Channel. They lived to fight another day. Five years later Field Marshal Montgomery received the surrender of several German Armies as World War II was ending in Europe. (May 6, 1945.)

(E) People who become famous receive a lot of recognition, however, the heroic efforts of many veterans go unnoticed. Only because he is “family” I heard stories from Glenn Becum of Zephyrhills, Fl. As a young man, Glenn, who had known only warm weather, joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Shortly thereafter, the Korean War began. In November / December1950, Glenn’s Division was surrounded by enemy troops near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Glenn survived the enemy bullets plus the cold weather. At the present time, as a member of the group known as The Chosin Few he tells these stories: “As my unit was trying to escape the enemy, fellow Marines stopped for rest. They sat down, went to sleep, and froze to death in the snow.”--- Speaking of the luxuries of coffee, when available: “The first sip burned my lips, the second sip was good, and I would have to gulp the rest of the liquid before it turned to ice.” Glenn ends his stories with the words: “God allowed me to survive that ordeal.”
(F)
In the future all of us may encounter a situation that appears to be hopeless. Never give up! Try to hang in there for: another minute; another day; another year. Conditions may get better. Remember during those times and at all times; “God Loves You.”

.Wishing you a Happy New Year.