For 60 years, Peggy Harris waited to hear what happened to her husband, Billie, during WWII. Billie was a pilot in action over France. Due to various mistakes, she never was told where his remains were or if he was considered MIA or KIA. Finally, the family discovered there was really no mystery. He was buried with his comrades at Normandy, France.
What surprised Peggy most was to discover that for 60 years a small French town, Les Ventes, had honored the memory of Billie Harris. They named a street after him and had an annual ceremony honoring him. Why? Because it was widely known in the French village that although he was badly wounded, Harris had directed his stricken plane away from the village and into the woods, saving many lives.
Peggy Harris, who remained unmarried, now visits the town and the grave on occasion. The town has treated her as family. Peggy has been able to become friends with a man who tried to rescue her husband. The mayor of Les Ventes said of Billie Harris, “We don’t forget.”
Surely as we think of the sacrifice Christ made for us, we should say, “We don’t forget.”
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