In Memory of Brett Walton

On April 9th, PFC Brett Walton was killed in action in Iraq. Brett was 37 years old, married to Lindsey and the proud father of his 5 year old daughter Sydney.  He had only been in Iraq for about a month when the Humvee he was driving was attacked with an IED (improvised explosive device), followed by a secondary IED. Brett and 2 other soldiers were killed and another critically injured. 

 

We hear about these tragic deaths daily on the evening news, and they are always sad to hear about. This one was especially hard to hear because Brett was a brother in the Lord and attended the same church we attend.

 

I attended Brett’s memorial service on April 23rd —- it was a special celebration of His life — a life of serving the Lord and serving others. Brett had a heart for others and was especially touched by the condition of the people living in Iraq. He wanted to make a difference in their lives, even though it meant leaving his wife Lindsey and his daughter Sydney behind. He sought the Lord regarding the decision — talked to godly men for counsel and finally decided that this was what he had to do.

 

Brett was a man totally committed to the Lord and His will. He carried his Bible with him to Iraq — in a pocket in his fatigues — and wore a ‘dog tag’ with his favorite verse — Joshua 1:9  "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest"

 

Brett had made plans in case something were to happen to him — including choosing some of the worship songs he would like at his memorial service. He expected to come home, but was fully aware of the danger. He also knew that it was in God’s hands and that if he did not come back, he would go straight to be with Jesus, where he would one day be reunited with his family, who also love  the Lord.

 

The Governor of Oregon attended the service — a reporter from The Oregonian newspaper wrote a good article  on Brett and the memorial — but what really caught my attention was the reality of our faith in a moment like this one — evident in the worshipful spirit of his beloved wife and fellow believers in Jesus. This is what Jesus accomplished on our behalf — providing the full assurance that those who have believed Him and have followed Him will not perish but will live forever.  Not just in the memories of loved ones — but truly live forever with God — fully forgiven for their sins, cleansed, dressed in righteousness  — never to die, cry, suffer or sin again.  Praise be to God for His marvelous gift!

 

Lindsey, Sydney and all who knew Brett will cry for awhile — it’s hard to be separated from someone you love –even if it’s just temporary.  But the rejoicing has already begun and will certainly be at it’s peak when all are reunited at last, in the presence of the Lord.

 

"Truly, truly I say to you, He who hears My Word and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." (John 5:24)

 

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

 

"And the witness is this — that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; He who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God — in order that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:11-13)

 

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