Soldier from Heaven (9781629021911) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to endure what I was about to see. The thought of seeing someone’s loved one lying dead on a table was both sad and scary. It wasn’t like a funeral where you see who you expect to see. Not to mention, the whole atmosphere at a funeral was warmer and more soothing; at least that’s the goal of the funeral parlor and church. But there, it already seemed cold and depressing, and I hadn’t even stepped into the so-called morgue.
    We checked in with the lady at the desk.
    “Hi, my name is Catherine Schultz. I have a one o’clock appointment to—” I stuttered a little. “to identify a body.” Linda gently put her hand on my back.
    “Have a seat, and someone will be right with you.”
    The lady said this as if she was a little too comfortable with the situation. As Linda and I sat, the woman’s emotions made me think about how many lives were being lost every day because of war. I could never comprehend why the people of the world would want to fight and kill over any reason. Peace just seemed like such an easy thing to achieve. If everyone would just live and let live and mind their own business, peace could be present. That’s not to say that evil wouldn’t still lurk, but at least nations could fight their own battles and try to achieve the type of peace they envision. Maybe that isn’t the best Christian way of thinking. I knew the world was complex and there would never be a utopia on Earth, but the unrest that is ever present all over the world just seemed unnecessary. Other nations should not attack us because of what we do here in America. It’s not like we are over there corrupting them. They seem misled. And then, we go there trying to fix their problems and lose our loved ones because of it. I could never begin to understand the thoughts and justifications of other peoples. But I prayed every day that somehow Jesus could penetrate their hearts and bring a sense of peace to the world.
    “Look, I’m shaking. I can’t help but to feel nervous. I’ve never seen a dead body before. This is so weird.”
    “Just calm down, I’ll be there with you, and I have never seen one either. At least you know it isn’t Pete. You all saw him yesterday, right?”
    A marine appeared and called me back. Linda and I rose and slowly followed the marine to a room that seemed to be a metal container. In the center of the room was a metal table with a body covered in a sheet. Along the walls of the room were identical tables. It felt very cold and eerie inside the room, and both Linda and I were uneasy. We walked up to the table, and the marine spoke.
    “Okay, Catherine. I know this is very difficult. It’s never easy for anyone in any situation. We have cleaned up the body, and he should be recognizable. When we lift the sheet, take as long as you need to take a close look. We will then show you his dog tags for further confirmation.”
    We nodded, and I couldn’t help but to let a tear drop. And then he lifted the sheet. I immediately became overcome with fear and shock. “ No, no. It can’t, it can’t be.” I began to shake and let out screams. I tore my eyes from the table and then back again as if to reconfirm what I had seen because I just couldn’t bring myself to believe it. I clung to Linda, and then turned back to the table. I had to stop myself from lunging onto the table. It was Pete. I just wanted to hug him. But I couldn’t. It was him, but it wasn’t him. His life was not there, but he was. It was so confusing and overwhelming I just didn’t know what to do next. I screamed. I covered my eyes. I took deep breaths. But it wasn’t enough to help. I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t. I looked one last time and then fainted. Linda, weeping dropped down to my side and clung to me. She turned to the marine.
    “Yes, yes, that’s him,” she told him and then tried to wake me. The marine called for assistance.
    I was taken to the hospital, and Linda was there as I lay unconscious. Thank God, my mother