Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Where do we get such men?-----Refusing To Abandon The Wounded, Chaplain Emil Kapaun Remained Behind to Care for His Men and Died in a Korean POW Camp - Page 2 of 2

Refusing To Abandon The Wounded, Chaplain Emil Kapaun Remained Behind to Care for His Men and Died in a Korean POW Camp - Page 2 of 2:
"...A Final Service
...As the men were ravaged by dysentery and disease, he boiled their water, washed their clothes, and treated their wounds. 
The guards would often mock him for his faith and force him to stand in the cold naked for hours.
He never lost his faith and he never ceased to serve the men. 
On Easter of 1951, he led a service using twigs put together as a cross and a small prayer missal he had hidden.
However, disease began to take its toll on Kapaun. 
He developed a limp from a blood clot which was followed by dysentery and pneumonia.
Once the North Koreas realized his condition, they sought their chance to rid the camp of the man who inspired so much hope in the men.
He was taken to a “death house” against the pleadings of the men where he would be left without food or water to die.  
Kapaun’s words to his men were simply, “I’m going where I’ve always wanted to go.” 
He died on May 23rd, 1951 and while he was initially honored with the Distinguished Servce Cross, subsequent accounts would result in upgrading to the Medal of Honor.
He inspired the men in battle with his gallantry, he inspired the men in the POW camp with his mercy, and he can know continue to inspire us all with his dedication to service and sacrifice."

No comments: