On November 22, under the stars of an alien sky somewhere in the South Pacific, Philip Welsher, 22, of the United States Marines, breathed his last. Mother and Dad and his beloved home were far away; horror, violence and devastation were all around. But Phil was "looking up", far beyond the stars, into the face of his Saviour.

Phil's last message to his Mother and Dad was written more than a year before his death. His pals found it amont his few possessions and mailed it home at once, in accordance with the request found on the envelope.

Somewhere in the Pacific
September 16

Dear Folks,

I am writing this letter in the hope that after my death it will be forwarded to you. My purpose in writing this is twofold. First, that you may be assured that, while we are temporarily separated, we know that we shall soon be joined together with Christ in the presence of God. As I write this I am in very little danger, but who can tell what the morrow may bring? We simply trust God to give us the victory in temporal things as well as spiritual matters.

As I pass on, I wish to leave behind a testimony to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that God may be glorified in my death more than he was in my life. Today, knowing that I may very soon be called to give an account of myself, I can say that I am trusting only in Jesus Christ who died as a sacrifice for my sins that I might have eternal life. He paid the price with His own precious life, and by simple faith in Him I am cleansed from all unrighteousness.

I am now with Jesus, and all is well with my soul. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25,26)

My second purpose in writing this letter, Dad, is that you might make the way of salvation clear to a friend to whom I have written a similar letter. Give the message as from me that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3,4). Say, also, that in Him shall we meet again.

Dry your tears, Mom, a son has been called Home, where he waits to be joined by the dearest parents a boy could have. Perhaps consolation may be found in knowing that when we shall again be together, it shall be even as He promised: “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

My life and the lives of my buddies have not been given in vain. We have fought and died to maintain those God-given liberties with which we have been blessed. Now, for just a little while, I would say, good-bye, and God be with you till we meet again.

Your loving son,
Phil

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by R. B. Theime, Jr., May 26th, 1995

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