I wish I had met Walter “Smokey” Gordon, one of the original Band of Brothers. He died on April 19, 1997 at age 76. His life story, as remembered by his children, is recorded in my book, A Company of Heroes.
Those that knew him say he was an elaborate prankster, an intelligent conversationalist, and a courageous soldier.
He was wounded at least three times.
 |
| Walter "Smokey" Gordon with his twin sister, Cleta. |
Smokey slowly recovered stateside, but for the rest of his life he suffered with chronic back and shoulder pain.
His children described how whenever someone greeted their father with a pat on the back, unaware of his disabilities, you could see a wince in his eye or face. Yet Smokey Gordon would never mention it.
A third wound came to plague his life. Although Smokey’s parents were never particularly religious, he had become a faithful Episcopalian, lay reader, and altar boy on his own as a child. But as an adult Smokey’s faith would suffer a terrible blow.
He had a twin sister, Cleta, whom he adored. Tragically, Cleta died in her early thirties of breast cancer, leaving behind a husband and small children. It was this wounding that became the turning point of Smokey’s religious life.
Following his sister’s death, anytime Smokey was asked about his faith, he would reply, “Any God that could take away the most beautiful creation to walk this earth, I want nothing to do with.”
I mention this third wound because it’s one that others can relate to, including me. God is all-powerful. Yet grief comes to all of us. So when prayers aren’t answered the way we hope, it’s common to question God, even to turn away from him.
Did Smokey Gordon ever heal from his third wound?
The family has deeply religious relatives with whom Smokey would engage in conversations and debate. Even late in life he could quote scripture chapter and verse.
His children once wondered how a person who had lost his faith could know scripture so well. They asked him, and his reply was typical of this untypical man, “Don’t you know that the Bible is the greatest book ever written?”
Due to his deep admiration for scripture, I like to think Smokey Gordon eventually found peace with God, although I’m not certain.
Scripture teaches how God is good regardless of life’s circumstances, and that God has reasons for allowing tragedies to happen beyond what we can fully understand. One day God will set all things right, either in this life or the life to come.
The writer of Hebrews offers this invitation:
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can’t see.”
This Easter season, if you’re struggling with similar questions of faith, my encouragement is to not let disappointment with God go unanswered.
8 comments:
thank you very much for that interesting story! It reminds me to read your book again! I forgot so many things over the time.
Experiencing such a loss would make me question either. I don't know what my decision would be...
Happy easter to each one of you, if we don't read each other till Friday.
keep well
T
Marcus: Was it Walter Gordon who lived near Ambrose and started him on his journey with Easy Company?
Walter is in your book Untold Stories which I need to read again.
I finished Buck Compton last night for the 3rd time and each veteran have unique stories before, during WW II and after. Buck mentioned that many not in Ambrose books were just as important. Thanks for the story of Gordon and I am so glad that I am on your blog list.
Gary
I really enjoy reading your blog each week, Marcus. It's nice to be reminded that there are intelligent, introspective and thoughtful people like you in the world. Taking a moment to reflect on the important things in life after reading your inspirational stories about our beloved veterans never fails to make my day better. Thank you!
true words Kaylee, I couldn't said it any better!
T
Kaylee and Tobi, thanks for your kind words. It’s always a pleasure to interact with everybody here on the blog.
Gary ...
Walter Gordon’s story is told in “A Company of Heroes,” as remembered by his children. He’s also mentioned in Buck’s book. Buck credits Gordon with being the vital link between Easy Company and Ambrose, but the children clarify the record. They discuss it as such:
“Dad is sometimes credited in being the vital link between Steven Ambrose and the Band of Brothers, but this is perhaps over told. They weren’t neighbors, as has been reported, but lived about fifteen minutes away from each other in Pass Christian, Mississippi.
“In 1988 during the annual Easy Company reunion in New Orleans, Ambrose's assistant at the University of New Orleans heard there was a group of WWII veterans in town. The assistant dropped by the hotel and asked if he could speak to the men. Many of them happily complied and sat for brief interviews. Many recommended he should speak with Gordon, since he lived just an hour away. (Dad was out of the hotel when all this took place). The assistant gave Dad's contact information to Ambrose and from there a relationship ensued. Prior to Dad's initial meeting with Ambrose for the book, he arranged for Lipton, Guth and Dick Winters to join him for a collaborative interview.
“Dad and Ambrose became fast friends, but Dad never sought to take advantage of the friendship and always respected Ambrose as an author and historian. They had lunch once in a while or met occasionally for coffee. When any of the men came to the coast to visit, Dad called Ambrose and his wife Moira, and they all got together for a seafood boil of whatever was in season. Dad was always grateful to Ambrose for choosing Company E as his subject out of all the outstanding military groups that served in WWII. Dad did not live to see the Band of Brothers become a media phenomenon, but we're confident he's pleased and proud to see his brothers be revered and honored as all men who have fought for our freedom should be.”
This was simply and beautifully stated. I would hope that anyone who has disappointed by God would search his word until peace comes. It is sometimes long hard work that is exhauting - but it is worth it, worth it.
thank you for the info on the relations of Smokey and Ambrose.
I heard that Ambrose was not such a good sport in every Easy mens mind. But it is always impossible to get along well with everybody I guess.
T
Post a Comment