We lost one of our own last week...one of the good ones.
Henry Bragg sailed home early Saturday morning. But he left something behind.
A legacy of honor. It can’t be buried; it won’t be entombed. Henry’s life of integrity and value will live on in a place of highest honor in our memories.
Because he honored others, from the least to the Greatest, we return the favor to him. We join in the celebration of his victory, of the laying aside of his fighting uniform, to join his King in the homeland.
No more weariness; no more pain.
The battle is over.
Look at one tiny snapshot: of those asked to participate in his funeral service on Tuesday, to speak words or pray blessings or sing songs, there was an overwhelmingly common reply:
“It would be an honor to do so for Henry.”
Repeated so often, it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Not only was Henry a patriotic sailor from World War II, but he was a valiant warrior in the on-going battle we all fight between flesh and spirit. His greatest joy came in honoring his Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ.
As stories were shared at his funeral, this theme trumped all others. Henry knew how to glorify the Lord through his conversations with friends as well as strangers, through his defense of the Truth, and through the giving of his energy, finances, and time.
At Maple Hill Cemetery on that rainy Tuesday afternoon, the ceremonial U.S. flag covering Henry’s casket was folded, saluted, and handed to Henry’s wife, Gloria. This sentiment was expressed to her:
"On behalf of the President of the United States, a grateful nation and a proud Navy, I present this flag to you in recognition of your husband’s years of honorable and faithful service to his country."
May it be our honor to echo this same expression for our fellow comrade, Henry Bragg:
"On behalf of the family of grateful believers in the heavenly Kingdom, we recognize our brother’s years of honorable and faithful service to His God."
With amazing grace, his precious Lord took his hand. And so it is well with his soul.
He rests in peace. On the winning side. We will miss him.
~ In memory and honor of
Henry V. Bragg
December 14, 1923, to May 24, 2008
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