Henry Lauder Was A Comedian Who During World War ...

Henry Lauder was a comedian who during World War II saw both of his sons drafted in to the army. Both of them died in combat.

After the war was over Henry Lauder was near a nervous breakdown. He went to his doctor, who recommended complete rest and relaxation. So he went to the seashore and walked along the beach. He spent this time reading and meditating and relaxing.

He made a few new friends. One of them was a small boy. One night Henry Lauder and this small boy were walking along the beach as the sun was going down. They listened to the waves, and looked at the scenery around them.

The boy noticed that there were little flags with stars on them hanging in the windows of some of the houses along the beach. He asked Mr. Lauder what that meant. Henry Lauder said, “It means that in every home where there is a flag that that family sent a son to war.”

“But,” said the boy, “some stars and silver and some are gold. What does that mean?”

Lauder said, “Where there is a silver star, it means that the boy came home safely. Where there is a gold star, it means that the boy died in combat.”

They walked a little further and night came upon them. The boy looked up at the first evening star, and he said, “There is a star in God’s sky and it is a gold star! Does it mean that God sent His Son to war?”

Lauder stood for a moment and with a catch in his voice said, “Yes, son. It means that God sent His Son into war – the greatest war that has ever been fought. And yes, the star is gold because God’s Son died in that combat.”