REUTERS reports that U.S. Navy veteran Louis Conter, the last surviving crew member from the battleship USS Arizona, which was destroyed by Japanese warplanes in the attack on Pearl Harbor more than eight decades ago, has died at 102.
Conter, who flew bombing missions as a Navy pilot after Pearl Harbor, succumbed to congestive heart failure on Monday at his home in Grass Valley, California.
The REUTERS article may be read in full HERE.
More information about Lou Conter may be read HERE on the USSArizona.navy website.
My brothers and sisters, WWII was remarkable in many ways. The war began on December 7, 1941 (at least for the United States) following Japan’s surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The war unleashed years of bitter fighting in the European Theater to defeat Hitler (Germany) and in the Pacific Theater to defeat Japan.
WWII ended victoriously for the United States and the Allied Forces on September 2, 1945, but not before millions of Jews were murdered in the Holocaust and the United States dropped two atomic bombs upon Japanese cities – which remains the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used in war.
The United States military fought bravely and selflessly against the power of evil. You see, scripture tells us that there is even a time for war (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
WWII brought forth many babies known today as “boomers” and the nickname “the greatest generation” when referring to the men and women of the WWII era.
God, in His infinite wisdom, chose to spare Louis Conter’s life and granted him longevity. May the Lord bring peace and comfort to his family during this time of loss, as we consider that the final WWII veteran survivor of the USS Arizona has passed into eternity.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
A Time for Everything
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—[a] time to be born and a time to die; [a] time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; [a] time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; [a] time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; [a] time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; [a] time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; [a] time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; [a] time for war and a time for peace [emphasis mine].”
Let’s remember the words of Jesus regarding prayer:
Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV)
The Lord’s Prayer
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, [h]allowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done [o]n earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts [trespasses], [a]s we forgive our debtors [those who trespass against us]. And do not lead us into temptation, [b]ut deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
