Recalling General George Patton’s prayer

As we celebrate this Independence Day recognizing the uprising of country bumpkins: Farmers, blacksmiths, cobblers, inn keepers, hostlers and general store owners who took up arms against oppression and tyranny in defiance of the English empire’s subjugation and control over their lives. They demanded freedom and a Constitution later presenting it to the Englis. Then and to the present many of our freedom fighters have paid the ultimate sacrifice domestically and on foreign soil beside allies to preserve their freedom. One WWII patriot in particular to me was General George Patton, “Old Blood and Guts” as his troops fondly called him, commander of the Third U.S. Army.

Many considered following him into the hell of battle an honor knowing he would be the tip of the spear leading them with 45’s strapped to his belt — pearl-handled revolver on his left, Colt 1911 pistol on the right. He had a reputation for toughness and strict discipline.

After the Normandy invasion he and his Army found themselves stuck in Luxembourg while advancing on Germany — an incessant cold rain creating a quagmire with heavily overcast skies. Patton was nervous and desperate. Bastogne was under a heavy German assault from armor and infantry. Patton needed to advance and go to the rescue.

He realized he needed help from God and his old friend Chief Chaplain Fr. James O’Neill. Summoning him to H.Q.s he asked him to create a brief prayer and distribute 250,000 cards to his Army immediately. The weather finally cleared allowing Patton to advance and dash to the rescue of those pinned down, later to be named The Battle of the Bulge.

Patton credits victory to God’s intervention and the prayer cards cards carried by his troops.

God bless you patriotic readers and your families. Protect your freedoms and our Constitution as our fore-fathers intended. Have a great summer.

Town of North East resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam veteran and a member of both the Millerton American Legion Post 178 and the VFW Post 6851. in North Canaan, Connecticut.