Stars and Stripes …

On October 1, 2007, General Peter Pace stepped down as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. That same day, a visitor to the Vietnam War Memorial noticed something unusual at the Wall. Dr. Frank Wright, President of National Religious Broadcasters described it.

"A visitor noticed a small white index card resting on the ground. Something gleamed on the card, and the visitor bent down for a closer look. The card, which had the general’s four stars attached to it, said the following:

For Guido Farinaro, USMC
These are yours, not mine!
With love and respect,
Your Platoon Leader,
Peter Pace

It was dated October 1, 2007—the same day the general stepped down as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs! He had clipped his own stars to the index card, written a note, and left them at the Vietnam War memorial under the column that bears Farinaro’s name. There was no press conference or fanfare. The world might never have known if the visitor had not snapped several pictures and allowed them to be widely distributed.

Lance Corporal Guido Farinaro was a 19-year old from Bethpage, NY who served in Gen. Pace’s Golf Company, 5th Marine Platoon, during the Vietnam War. Pace was the Platoon leader, and there were 158 marines under his command. Lance Cpl. Farinaro was the first to die after Peter Pace took over; he took a sniper’s bullet that was intended for Pace."

General pace has given a great lesson of earthly and spiritual sacrifice. Whatever we have of earth’s blessings and heaven’s joys are because Christ "took our bullet" on the Cross. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21). Isaiah spoke of Christ’s substitution. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

Revelation 4:9-11 describes the ultimate praise, "Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created’."

The old hymn summarizes our gratitude.

All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
Who has borne all our sorrows and cleansed ev’ry stain.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.

David Virkler