During World War II resistance families in Nazi Occupied Europe provided shelter to downed airmen from the Allied air forces. To do so risked the life of the individual and their families. Punishment for aiding Allied airmen could be instant execution, or brutal torture followed my sentencing to a concentration camp. Despite the risks, several thousand people participated in underground networks to smuggle airmen to the coast or Spain for evacuation to England.

This photo comes from the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, I caught it before going to work this week. It crucifix rests inside an exhibit dedicated to the resistance wiling to give their lives so others may live. The stories are heart wrenching, and joyous at the same time. This exhibit resembled a typical French country cottage.

With all the negative stories on the news, tragedies in several families we associate with, potential tough times ahead for all I found myself in a writing and creative funk. The stories of the airmen and world of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in World War II gave me hope. These men believed in their mission, and their brothers around them. They suffered casualty rates of 11 to 20 percent on various missions but soldiered on for over three years to obtain final victory. Defeats suffered by the Air Force early on resulted in innovation and doctrine propelling them to victory in the skies of Europe with their Allied brothers in arms.

The core of their success came from recognizing the reality of the environment of the situation they faced. They did not create excuses. They did not falsify combat reports and intelligence to make someone's "good idea" carry weight in a debate. They dealt with cold hard facts to work towards effective solutions to complex problems. These men knew failure to acknowledge reality resulted in death and mission failure.

As the world moves forward to face its current dilemmas, we again must look towards the truth of a situation to find a solution. I pray the world is willing to recognize a lack of being Biblically God centered is a core component to the problem. This recognition may help bring the formerly Christian Western World back from the brink of catastrophe. Christ did give all so others may live forever. Time to take him up on his offer.

-ehw