Sacrifice and Bravery
A Memorial Day Edition of Grit & Wit
In 2019, our family lost a man who became one of our own. Paul Jackson wasn’t related by blood, but we adopted each other just the same. My mom and stepdad helped him with odds and ends around his apartment, and over time, “Mr. Paul” became like another grandparent to our kids—quiet, respectful, and always present at family gatherings.
But beneath that humble demeanor was a story none of us expected.
Paul was a World War II veteran. After Pearl Harbor, he was stationed in California but felt called to more. He requested to become a paratrooper. At the time, he was a staff sergeant, and his commanding officer denied the request. But when Paul’s former commander, none other than General George Patton, intervened, Paul was allowed to transfer…though his captain stripped him of his rank. At 21 years old, Paul started over as a corporal and shipped out to Europe.
He parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, fought in multiple battles, and later jumped into Operation Market Garden, where he was wounded when a tank took a direct hit. Despite his injuries, he climbed a hill, spotted an enemy rocket launcher team, and took them out. Five soldiers, by himself.
Then came the Battle of the Bulge. In the bitter cold of Bastogne, Paul was shot three times in the hip. He spent five months in a hospital and was honorably discharged from the 101st Airborne in 1945, just before the war ended.
Paul never boasted. If anyone had earned the right to brag, it was him. But he simply wore his 101st Airborne ball cap in public, said “thank you” to those who recognized him, and kept on living—quietly, humbly, honorably.
His life reminds me of someone else.
Paul Jackson lived a kind of quiet courage. And while we may never face a battlefield, we can still live sacrificially. We can jump into service for those around us. It doesn't have to be flashy. Just faithful.
Happy Memorial Day!
• Be vigilant this week. Look for someone to serve—especially when no one’s watching.
• Think of someone who has sacrificed for you. Call them. Text them. Write a note. Let them know their love didn’t go unnoticed.