My grandfather, a WW2 veteran has just passed away- please help?

Question

My grandpa has just died after a long fight with a brain tumour. He was a kind, gentle man whose life was chaged irreversibly after WW2; before the war he was a fisherman, and for many years afterwards too, but he was never quite the same after 1946 when he finally came home.

During the Normandy landings he was the first man out of his landing craft, a conscript piper whose job it was to play the bagpipes at the head of his unit to act as a rallying call; he did not have a weapon but was at the head of two dozen other men, all young conscripts like himself. Only he survived, the beach defenders perhaps unwilling to shoot an unarmed man; all his unit was machinegunned before ever making it off of the beach. This experience changed him forever, and during his last days I tried my hardest to understand what he must have been through.

After the war he supported his wife (who was blinded in a bombing raid) and two children, and kept many stray animals.

Do you think he'll do OK?

PS, this isn't John, it's Dave...his computerless friend!

Answer 1

What a wonderful man your grandfather was and how you must miss him. How my heart goes out to you, in your grief. But fear not, our Heavenly father knows all about your grandfather; the sacrifices he made, the suffering he endured, the way he took care of his wife and children. God is love, perfect love. You have nothing to worry about. God bless you.

Answer 2

Your grandad sounds like a lovely man. I would imagine having gone through all that he did he would find it hard to put it behind him. Obviously he got on with things as best he could he proved this by looking after your nan and the children. So to answer your question YES he'll do ok. And he'll be there looking after you aswell.He'll be back the way he was before all those things happened and he'll be happy.

Answer 3

I'm sure that there were cases where veterans were allowed to immigrate to America (not immediately though). On the other hand, many high ranking military, science and political officials were smuggled into America in 'Operation Paperclip'. Look it up you'll see... Hope this Helps!

Answer 4

John, my grandfather was a WWI vet. He was gassed, a POW, and during WWII he was one of those who helped get the soldiers off the beaches of Dunkirk.

He also liked to fish.

He died in '67, in part out of grief for the death of my father, who had pre-deceased him by 2 months.

Yes, your grandfather will be okay.

Many many years ago I was given the opportunity to visit them, after they'd died. I call it a vision, as there is nothing else that can adequately explain the experience.

There the two of them were, on the edge of a creek, fishing.

The sky was blue, the grass green, the air fresh, it was a beautiful place.

Both of them were happy, happier still to see me.

It was the opportunity to tell them what I could not tell them before they died: that I love them, will always remember them, and hope to join them someday.

Ignore the claptrap about heaven and hell and judgment. None of that is real. We each make for ourselves a place where we go when we die. I have my experience with my vision to assure me of this.

From what you've said, your grandfather was/is a good and loving person. Whatever place he created for himself will reflect this goodness.

Cherish him in your heart. Share your memories with your children, and keep that part of him that he shared with you alive in your heart.

If you do, he'll never be very far away.

I hope this offers you some comfort.

Answer 5

Take comfort in what the Bible says at Eccl. 9:5: “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” And Psalms 146:4: “His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.” Your grandfather is as though he were asleep. One more scripture - Ezekiel 18:4: “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.” That plainly states that the soul dies. I know this goes against anything you have probably heard, but it is what the Bible has to say about the matter.

Answer 6

I did not know the man nor can I begin to know what deeds both good or bad he performed. If there is a final judgment and all of our deeds are weighed one against the other on the balance of good and evil, being the piper who inspired the others and helped them overcome their fear and ultimately defeat fascism should weigh quite heavily in his favor.

I am sure he is doing fine.


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Answer 7

wow your story sounds so similar to mine... my grandfather was changed enormously by WW2 and i lost him just over a year ago. i never had a chance to truly understand what he went through but i know that he was the most caring, gentle giving man that i will ever know. he did so much for me and my sister and my mum after my father left us (his son) and i dont think ill ever feel as loved by anyone as i did when i was sat by his bed side days before he died. he touched my face and even though he couldnt talk i knew what he was saying and in know he'll do ok. like your grandfather mine was an amazing man who did all they could to make their family happy.... god asks for nothing more

Answer 8

First of all sorry for the loss but arent you blessed to have shared your life with him. There is no death. He will be in more peaceful place in spirit form. He will look down on you and smile and protect you when you are in need. He will inspire you when you are asleep. He lives within your soul. You will meet again when its your time. And God I am sure is very happy to have him there. Perhaps he is leading the spirits from one sphere into another. :-)

Answer 9

(Ecclesiastes 9:5-6) For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten. 6 Also, their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they have no portion anymore to time indefinite in anything that has to be done under the sun.

Your granpa will be O.K.
He will be resurrected.
Revelation 20; 12,13
And his death has 'paid' for any sins he may have committed.
(Romans 6:23) For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.

Answer 10

Your grandad sounds like a wonderful man and I believe he will be cared for and be extremely happy in his after life - I can't say where that is, but i do believe in an after life and that you are rewarded for your suffering and good will - both of which your grandad had his fair share of. he'll be fine - probably enjoying time with his friends and family who have passed before him. Be assured, he will be fine now.