Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Prayer for My Grandfather

Grandpa w/Hannah & Wayne April 2008 1 week before being diagnosed with cancer.
Grandpa re-enlisting Wayne April 2008
All of us w/ Grandpa @ Wayne's Re-enlistment
Wayne w/ Ruby, Friend, & Grandpa April 2008


Dear Friends & Family,
Many of you already know that my grandfather is sick and has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. He is not doing well at all and now all of his organs are shutting down. Please keep him in your prayers as he draws nearer to his final days on this earth. He is in a lot of pain. Please pray for strength, peace, and comfort for Him and my family. Thank you. Below you will find the news article printed today about him.

Tara

WWII Hero Marine Fighting for His Life
By CHRIS TALBOTT,
AP
Posted: 2008-06-03 15:24:26
Filed Under: Nation News

JACKSON, Miss. (June 3) - A World War II veteran who received the nation's highest military honor when he was only 17 is in the fight of his life, battling cancer, his biographer said.
Eighty-year-old Jack Lucas, who lied his way into the Marines at age 14, was nearly killed when he used his body to shield his fellow Marines from grenades on Iwo Jima in February 1945. He was just a few days past his 17th birthday at the time.He received the Medal of Honor from President Truman later that year, becoming the youngest Marine to receive the award.D.K. Drum, whose book "Indestructible" tells Lucas' story, said Monday that he is in "grave" condition at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, where family and friends are staying with him 24 hours a day."He is fighting very hard, very hard," Drum said. "It's probably his hardest fight, but he's not giving up." Lucas did not have the energy for an interview Monday, Drum said.A native of North Carolina, Lucas was already eager to join the Marines at age 13."At 14, I told 'em I was 17 and joined up," he said in an Associated Press interview in October 1945. "The Lucases are all tough fighters."In February 1945, shortly after his 17th birthday, he was with Allied forces that landed on the beach at Iwo Jima. While in a trench with three fellow squad members, he spotted two grenades on the ground, covering them with his body.He was severely wounded when one grenade went off and survived multiple surgeries and months in the hospital.Over the decades, the colorful Lucas became a symbol of patriotism and has been sought out by many to tell his story. "Indestructible" was written for a seventh-grade audience to reach as many people as possible."If he has a chance to say one thing to people, it's to never say `I can't,'" Drum said. "You don't know what you can do until you try."

2 comments:

Nancy S. said...

WOW your grandad is a real hero.I am so sorry he isn't doing well.

The pictures of Wayne's reinlistment are really good, congratulations!!
The grils are getting so big.

AmyWhit said...

Prayers being sent for your Grandfather and the whole family. It's hard to watch them suffer. We went through that with my mom's dad. Keep us posted on his condition.