In remembrance of a man who stood firm in the truth...

Thank you, Walter, for inspiring four young men and teaching them to always hold themselves accountable to God.

 - It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we are confident when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us.  1 John 3: 19-20






"Roasted Potatoes" a faith story by Walter G.

The stately building stood in the middle of a beautiful park filled with tall trees and all kinds of ornamental plants.  It was located in a town in the Southwestern part of Germany and the people called it 'the castle' because it was built in the 1800's by a count who used it as his residence.

In 1944 'the castle' was owned by Frau Z., a rich elderly woman who occupied the third floor together with her two servants.  Mrs. G. lived on the first floor together with her three sons, who were eight, six and one year old.  Their father fought on the Eastern Front and was rarely seen by the children.

Mr. and Mrs. R., lived on the second floor with their six year old son.  Like so many families during World War II, they endured much hardship and suffering.  The oldest son, a Lieutenant in the Army, was killed on the Eastern Front at the beginning of the war.  Their second son, serving as a pilot in the Air Force, was shot down over Great Britain, but through the Red Cross they knew that he had survived.

It was a sunny day when the children of these families collected the nuts under the huge buckeye trees that separated the castle from the main street.  Suddenly, a guard carrying a rifle on his shoulder appeared together with a dozen prisoners.  Most of the prisoners did not wear any shoes, they had wrapped their feet in old rags.  Looking tired, hungry, and thirsty they were glad to get some rest in the shade of the big buckeye trees.  The children asked the guard, "who are they?"  The guard answered, "they are Russian prisoners of war, please get them some water because they are very thirsty".  The children ran to the castle to fetch some water when Mrs. R came out with a big black iron pot in her hands.  The children excitedly thought they would be getting lunch, but Mrs. R said in a stern voice, "this is not for you, it is for the prisoners, I prepared for them roasted potatoes".