November 10, 2006

Special Veterans' Day Tributes

On Veterans' Day, we honor those who have sacrificed to give us the freedom we enjoy. I have never been shy about expressing my gratitude and admiration for those who served in the armed forces.

Today, I would like to honor a group of men who's efforts preserved for us the right to minister here in Brazil by helping to save the world from the Nazi threat. They are the men of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB).

Legend has it that Adolf Hitler once commented that "before Brazil enters the war on the Allied side, snakes will smoke pipes." When Brazil did indeed go to war agaist Axis powers, that statement was mocked--in typical Brazilian fashion--by the patch shown below, worn by all Brazilian soldiers fighting in Europe.

The Brazilian army, air force, and navy served with distinction in Italy. Not much is said about them here in Brazil today. Many Brazilians don't even know that there was such a thing as the FEB. In my travels, I have never seen one statue to the soldiers who fought in the Great War--although I am sure they exist somewhere.

All believers here owe them a debt of gratitude, for standing up to the Nazi regime. I fear that, if Christ tarries, the day will come once again when the free world will have no choice but to wage war against the forces of evil. Despite the position of the present government, I have no doubt that when that day arrives, Brazilians will once again stand up and be counted.

Below are a few videos found on Youtube about the FEB. The first one--a vintage US newsreel--is in English. The other two are from a documentary that aired here a few weeks ago. If you do not happen to understand Portuguese, there are still some nice pictures.

Newsreel: Brazil at War

Documentary, Part 1

Documentary, Part 2

Lest I totally neglect the veterans of my native land, below is a picture, via Hot Air that shows a side of US soldiers not seen often in the media.

God bless all of our troops who are fighting against all odds to bring peace and prosperity to a land which has never known it.

Posted by Andrew on November 10, 2006 5:17 PM.