One Feisty Old Man

           Can you imagine serving in the Military at the age of 78? 

          Impossible you think?

          Contraire!

          Let’s travel back to the town of Menotomy, Massachusetts—Revolutionary War time. The date? April 19^th, 1775.

          British forces marching back to Boston from the Battles of Lexington and Concord were targets for colonial militiamen.

          Captain Samuel Whittemore was in his field when he spotted a British relief brigade approaching. He prepared for battle, determined to protect his property and hometown. Taking cover behind a stone wall, he loaded his musket, fired, and killed a British grenadier. The Captain then drew his dueling pistols, taking down another grenadier (and possibly another soldier).

          This elderly man didn’t think twice before rendering his service at the age of 78—a Veteran of previous wars (his last time serving at age 64). History records Captain Whittemore as the oldest soldier in the Revolutionary War.

          I wonder what “lit the fire” under this gentleman. Might it have been the published words of Thomas Paine in Common Sense?

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine

patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that

stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like

hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harderthe conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

          Age isn’t the only amazing thing about this gentleman! His courage continued despite the Redcoats blowing off part of his face and cheekbone. They then bayoneted him numerous times (no less than 6), clubbed him in the head, and shouted, “We have killed the old rebel!”

          Whittemore “lay in a pool of his own blood with his hat and clothes shot through in many places—and in a position showing he attempted to again load his musket.”* He was discovered 4 hours later.

          The doctor attending him gave no hope of survival. But…

          …he didn’t die. Not then anyway.

          Would you believe that feisty old man lived another 18 years? Yes, to the ripe old age of 96.

          Many people today retire at the age of 65 or there abouts and settle into a life of leisure. Some take on part-time employment to remain active, adopt a hobby, join clubs, travel.

          Others may not be able to be as active, dealing with infirmities. But…

          If you’re not dead (and I assume you’re not since you’re reading this blog post), you’re not finished yet. You have purpose until your last breath. Oh, you may be led in a different direction than what previously filled your days. but God has something He wants you to do.

          Senior citizen, if you’re not sure what that is, ask Him. And while you await His reply, think on these words found in Psalm 71:18 (NKJV):

“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God,

                              do not forsake me,

                                    Until I declare Your strength to this generation, 

                                    Your power to everyone who is to come.”

          No, you won’t be called up for Military service, so take a deep breath. Ahhhh. You may not even be physically able to do all that Captain Whittemore accomplished at his ripe old age. But…

          Can you pray for others? Visit someone who’s lonely? Help youth build something creative? Teach a skill? Take a short-term mission trip? Give a testimony to folks who’d be blessed to know God has been faithful to you always—thus fulfilling the challenge in the Bible verse above—declaring God’s strength and power to everyone?

          Opportunities are endless, and the risk of you getting your cheek blown off with a musket ball during any of them? Minimal to zip!

I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go

 

It may not be on the mountain’s height or over the stormy sea,

It may not be at the battle’s front my Lord will have need of me;

But if by a still, small voice He calls to paths I do not know,

I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine, I’ll go where You want me to go.

 

(Refrain) I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, o’er mountain or plain or sea;

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord, I’ll be what You want me to be.

 

Perhaps today there are loving words which Jesus would have me speak,

There may be now, in the paths of sin, some wand’rer whom I should seek;

O Savior, if Thou wilt be my Guide, tho dark and rugged the way,

My voice shall echo the message sweet, I’ll say what You want me to say. (Refrain)

 

There’s surely somewhere a lowly place in earth’s harvest fields so wide,

Where I may labor thru life’s short day for Jesus the Crucified;

So, trusting my all into Thy care—I know Thou lovest me.

I’ll do Thy will with a heart sincere, I’ll be what You want me to be. (Refrain)

 

(from the hymn, I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go, by Mary Brown, c. 1891, public domain)

This blog post is dedicated to Roger Hofmann, Jim Wickliffe, & Ronnie Fieker—

3 “feisty old” men who still love & serve the Lord in their “upper” years.

 

P.S.—Lo and behold, we learned my husband is distantly related to

Captain Samuel Whittemore—common ancestral connection: his paternal grandparents.

 

 #RevolutionaryWar #battleofMenotomyMA #soldier #elderly #purpose #nevertooold #seniorcitizen

*from The Indispensables—The Diverse Soldier-Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy,

and Rowed Washington Across the Delaware, by Patrick K. O’Donnell, 2021, Atlantic Monthly Press, NY

and additional information from Wikipedia.

 

Photo credit: characature—Boston.com / obit—findagrave.com