Prelude: Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series Read Free Page A

strong, confident man he’d become.
    “While I do not want to alarm you, we cannot deny—and must always be aware—of what’s happening in the world, and always be in prayer. If our soldiers are once again called to serve in active combat, I’d ask that you keep Psalm 121:7 in mind: ‘The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.’ Evil undeniably exists, but we can never allow anyone or anything—no entity, whether foreign or domestic—to steal our joy in knowing that God is alive and continually at work in the world around us. No matter what may come, the Lord will be with those to whom He has called into service. Just as He always is.”
    Sam’s voice sounded strained with that last statement. He bowed his head for a few moments before once again addressing the hushed group. “It thrills my soul to return home, but I would be remiss if I do not pay tribute to my comrades who have fallen in military conflicts. May they never be forgotten, and I ask that you especially keep in your prayers the families of those who gave their lives in service to our country. Those are the true heroes, the ones who willingly sacrificed their lives for the freedoms and liberties we often take for granted. But we can take heart in this verse: ‘After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.’”
    He waited until the enthusiastic applause died down, and Sarah heard a number of Amens! echoed from the crowd. Stepping forward, Joseph Lewis tossed Sam’s signature black Stetson to his son, most likely the same one he’d worn around town throughout his teenage years. Laughing, Sam caught it and settled it squarely on his head. Wearing the familiar hat, he looked more like the neighbor boy that Sarah remembered. He smiled and waved again as the townspeople cheered.
    “Thank you again for your warm welcome. I look forward to renewing my acquaintance with all of you. God bless America, God bless Texas, and God bless Rockbridge!”
    “Meaningful and to the point,” Harold Marcum said to the man standing beside him. “Sam will be a welcome addition to our Town Council.”
    “Can you believe he said all that without a cue card in sight?” Tess nodded approvingly.
    “I was thinking the same thing,” Sarah said. When he’d given the speech for his high graduating class, Sam had been articulate and well-spoken, and it seemed time had only improved those skills.
    Mayor Richards stepped up to the podium and, after shaking hands with Captain Lewis, addressed those assembled. “‘While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free, let us all be grateful for a land so fair, as we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.’”
    On cue, the band started up again and everyone sang “God Bless America.” Sam faced the flag and raised his hand in a salute before he joined in the singing. Still close to the microphone, his clear tenor rose above the others. Thank goodness the man could sing. Even if he couldn’t, the townspeople wouldn’t care. Her heart full, Sarah glanced around as young and old voices all rose together in song.
    As the crowd started to disperse, the band launched into what she recognized as the Air Force song. While the band played, several of the men rushed forward to slap Sam on the back and shake his hand. Several children bounded up the bank’s steps behind them.
    Her family had prayed for Sam every night during their family devotions. Camped out in his favorite chair, Dad listened to the news on their small black and white television, and then he’d give them a running commentary on any news from South Vietnam. Air Force personnel had been in place there, headquartered in Saigon, since 1950. Not that any of them knew where Sam was stationed, but the mention of the Air Force always made