Vietnam War
“Love” Saves My Own Life and Others
This incident happened sometime when I was in Tuy Hoa at the age of 22. My unit was urgently dispatched to the edge of Mt. Cai during the early hours after midnight. We knew that the Vietcong would come down to a town via Tuy Hoa for provisions. My unit assembled an ambush line. The tropical heat was so oppressive that we felt like we were in a steam cooker. All day long, we had to lie on our stomachs, taking aim with a rifle and preparing for ambush in the scorching heat. At about 4:00 pm, a couple of enemies began to appear. We watched warily as their numbers increased to 17 men. They were cautiously approaching in our direction, carrying their weapons at their sides. Over the next one and a half hours, they finally reached a point only 30 meters away from us. Our plan was to shoot them simultaneously once they were 25 meters away.
My heart went out to them—they were naively headed for an execution ground. I was greatly troubled by this, as if it were I out there walking toward death. I thought of their family members and loved ones. Just as my mother and family members would be earnestly praying for my life and safety, theirs would be doing the same. Killing them would mean more than just getting rid of enemies; it would also make the lives of their loved ones hell. It would be too cruel and sorrowful.
Saving Lives
I pleaded with God and Jesus to save their lives. Then, an inspiration from God hit me:
“Would I kill them? It’s you who kill. Why do you ask Me to save them?”
Upon hearing that, I realized that whether they were saved or killed was up to me. The Vietcong continued to approach us stealthily, but they moved slowly as they looked out in all directions. It was as if they sensed impending danger. We were on the brink of killing them at the platoon commander’s order. It dawned on me that I had to do something quickly to save them. Once I thought of them as loved ones, I couldn’t lose even one second. I purposely coughed. The Vietcong immediately hit the ground. They were whispering to each other, verifying what the sound was.
Watching them remain clueless, I grabbed a handful of tall grass in front of me and shook it. This time, they darted back the way they had come. Another miracle of saving lives took place in my heart. Such deeds saved the lives of those around me—for one year, nobody in my company was injured despite countless engagements.
Meanwhile, my military duty was complete, so I returned to Korea. Three months later, when I rejoined the same platoon, I could barely find any familiar faces, for many of them had died.
Some had been killed on the day I arrived, making the atmosphere of the platoon like that of a house in mourning. Even the platoon commander was crying. During the three months of my absence, the casualties were nine times higher than during the one year I had been there despite our involvement in more numerous, dangerous operations at that time. Once again, I realized how God had protected my comrades’ lives while I was with them because I had valued the lives of the enemies as if they were my own. Without me, the rampart that had protected their lives crumbled.
Remember that upon your condition of saving other people’s lives, God will protect you accordingly. Love is as intense as fire and stronger than hatred. It produces great miracles.
I alone could save the lives of the 17 foes in that operation because I loved them. Such deeds also freed their loved ones from potential dread and sorrow. Since I treasured every person’s life, a meaningful life of saving mankind was bestowed upon me.
About Author
Shinki is that IT Gig, that go to person for computer related issues.
In his spare time he runs, cycles, and exercise with the trinity in mind.