July 1, 2024
On November 10, 1918, Maynard Ralph Johnson (born 14 May 1918) of Comfrey was baptized as member of God’s church under the leadership of Pastor M.A. Melford. Maynard was promised to be raised unto our Lord one day before the signing of the armistice that would cease atrocities in the “war to end all wars.”
Unknown to Maynard’s family and the good citizens of Comfrey, four days earlier, at an unknown battlefield in France, 24-year-old Private Alfred Bonnicksen gave his life for the cause of freedom. But in contrast to our era, Alfred’s demise was unknown to his family until Thanksgiving Eve, some three weeks later. Portions of Alfred’s obituary reads as follows:
“The startling news was received here Wednesday evening of last week that Private Alfred Bonnicksen was killed in action in France on November 6th. The news, coming as it did on the eve of Thanksgiving Day, when all were glad and giving thanks that the war over, was a distinct shock to the entire community, and the parents of the young man are prostrated with grief….
His vacant chair at the family fireside bears mute testimony of the horrors of war and is only one of the thousands in this land. His young life, given that others might be free, that militarism and Kaiserism might be wiped from the earth, was not given in vain.
It was only a matter of days following his death when the proud monster who caused the war was forced to humble himself and flee for his life. Alfred died the death of a hero, facing the enemy, and his memory will always be cherished in this community as one of the boys who died for his country, and his memory will be everlastingly brought to us as we gaze at the gold star in the service flag of his church.”
My great-uncle was but one soul of our nation’s 116,516 servicemen who never returned home to feel the loving embrace of family and friends. Instead, he was caused to embrace his Savior beforehand—so that “his young life was given so that others might be free.” Alfred gave his life so that young Maynard might grow into manhood in relative freedom. Yet, two decades later, Maynard’s generation was sent abroad to once again battle global tyranny, so that millions within our shores might remain free.
Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, countless men and women have fought for the sake of freedom, here at home and abroad—many paying the ultimate price. Only heaven knows the true toll global conflict has taken on our nation’s treasure.
Times have certainly changed since Maynard was baptized and Alfred walked into eternity. Technology has sped us forward at light speed, and communications around the world travel as quickly. Long gone are the days of Maynard and Alfred when news took weeks to circulate around the globe.
But despite our ever-changing world, one thing remains unchanged: One man died to give everlasting freedom for every soul the world over: for Maynard Ralph Johnson; for my great-uncle Alfred Bonnicksen; and even for Kaiser Friedrich Wilhelm II. Jesus Christ gave his life so that all might be freed from the bondages of sin, tyranny, and the perpetuation of war.
About the freedoms secured for us: not by emperors, kaisers, or kings—nor even by our countrymen—but of Christ alone, the Apostle Peter gave us this charge:
Thank goodness, after all these years, we are still free. Over the last 248 years, our nation has experienced one war after another. We have seen evil, and peril seek to destroy this good land and the freedoms we cherish. Our liberties have been threatened by people abroad and even by those within. Yet, by God’s good mercy and grace, we are still free.
I wonder: how would Alfred and Maynard regard our nation today? What advice might they offer? Perhaps, like the Apostle Peter, they both might declare: “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. (Even), honor the emperor.”
Let us honor Alfred and Maynard’s memories, and the freedoms secured for us by our nation’s brethren. Let us, most importantly, remember that it is by Christ Jesus that we are free. And because of Him, let us honor everyone; let us love one another and all our countrymen. Let us each fear God, and even honor those God has established to serve our nation’s highest office. Let us, brothers and sisters, live as a people who cherish our freedoms: “For freedom, Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1, NLT).
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