The Rev. Charles J. Lopez, Jr. on words of gentleness and forgiveness

The Bronze Boot

I will always remember the “bronze boot.” Physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and home health aids are at one time or another affected by the people they visit. Some people make lasting impressions. From a chaplain’s perspective, Harry made an impression on me. I will always think of forgiveness and the bronze boot when I think of Harry.

Harry received the bronze boot for his many years of service with the United States Army. He proudly displayed the bronze boot and other military honors in the room where he eventually died. Anyone who visited heard about the bronze boot. Harry loved this country and served the United States of America with dignity, pride and honor.

Whenever I visited, Harry remembered his military time in Italy during World War II. Harry was wounded and spent some time recovering in a military hospital in Europe. Tears came to Harry’s eyes as he shared a story about asking for a chaplain. One day a chaplain was making rounds and stopped near Harry’s bed. What Harry shared next was hard to imagine during war time. Harry requested that the chaplain pray with him and he asked for his favorite psalm to be read – Psalm 23.

The chaplain responded by saying that Harry needed to ask for “his own kind of chaplain.” You see, Harry, was African American and the chaplain was white. The military still had segregated troops during World War II. Tears came to Harry’s eyes even now as I listened to his story. What Harry said next was even more amazing and revealing of Harry’s character, “You know I forgave that chaplain for saying those hurtful words.” I started to cry and thanked Harry for sharing. Harry had touched me with words of gentleness and forgiveness.

Harry asked me to be at his memorial service. I remember sharing these words with the family at Inglewood Cemetery, “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” Harry not only loved God, Harry loved his neighbors as well.

Harry’s children loved their father and recognized the strength he shared with them to live in this world filled with people of color, diversity and prejudice. Thanks be to God for Harry and all people of this world who practice forgiveness.

The Rev. Charles J. Lopez, Jr, PhD. was raised in Chicago. He has been in ministry for 30 years: 27 years as Lutheran (ELCA) parish pastor in NJ, PA, and CA; pastoral psychotherapist; 3 years as hospice chaplain; Ecumenical Ministry Team with the Pacifica Synod/ELCA; completing certificate in spiritual direction from the Sisters of St. Joseph, Orange, CA & Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles; member of: Interim Ministry Network (IMN), Association for Death Education & Counseling (ADEC), Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), and Academy of Parish Clergy (APC). Listed in Who’s Who in Religion. Charlie loves baseball, basketball, bicycling, traveling and classical music. He lives in Anaheim, California with his wife, Nancy.

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