Lamentations

February 21, 2024

February 21, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero arrives at his new battalion on Anzio

In the middle of February, the weather turned rainy, and the wind was sharp and ice-cold. Phil and the other men were a miserable bunch, and […]
February 20, 2024

February 20, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero arrives at his new unit on Anzio

Phil was one of 182 men (17 officers and 165 enlisted men, including men returning from the hospital) who received slips indicating they would be replacements […]
February 19, 2024

February 19, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero ships out to Anzio

On February 19, 1944, Phil received his orders to report to the 30th Infantry Regiment on the Anzio Beachhead. Late that afternoon, he hopped aboard a truck […]
February 18, 2024

February 18, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero rides a master dressage stallion — Magellan

Phil returned the next day and began instruction with the master and one of his apprentices, Antonio, who was bilingual. “He wants you to mount one […]
February 17, 2024

February 17, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero meets a dressage master

After arriving on the docks at Naples, the ever-present Army 6×6 trucks were waiting to take Phil and the other second lieutenants to the Replacement Depot, […]
February 16, 2024

February 16, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero’s future units pinned down on Anzio

On February 16, 1944, the Germans had completely surrounded the Allies that were pinned down on the Anzio Beachhead — which the men quickly named ‘The […]
February 15, 2024

February 15, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero ships out to Naples

In Oran, Phil was among 200 infantry lieutenants who boarded the Highland Queen, a small British steamer bound for Naples, Italy. He was part of a […]
February 13, 2024

February 13, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero rides a train to the war

Orders were issued for 1,000 men, including Phil, to board narrow-gauge railroad cars for a three-day train ride across Morocco and Algeria to Oran, a major […]
February 2, 2021

For the Lord is a God of retribution; he will repay in full

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath […]
March 1, 2021

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation […]
March 18, 2021

Hope deferred makes the heart sick

LORD our God … our hope is in you. … God our Savior and … Christ Jesus our hope. … Blessed are those whose help is […]
April 3, 2021

Easter Week – 19: Saturday Before Easter – Darkness 1

I looked at the earth, and it was formless and empty; and at the heavens, and their light was gone.
April 22, 2021

Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name

I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” […]
June 28, 2021

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. … Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on […]