The Face of the Isle

(Note: Title generated by Reedsy's Title Generator)

The Face of the Isle

The time to ship out finally arrived. That's all anybody had talked about forever. All these brave soldiers just itching to go to war to prove themselves brave and invincible. Fred O'Reilly had to admit that's the way he had felt ever since he left the fields of South Dakota. All through basic training in South Carolina and over the last two months at Fort Devens training with the engineer corps he wanted to be on his way overseas to face the foes. Now, finally it was coming true.

The train ride to New York City soon became a blur. The towering city skyscrapers held their awe momentarily. Suddenly Fred found himself on the docks burdened by a huge survival kit strapped to his back. His whole world strapped to his back. For how long? No one could say. The soldiers' heightened bravado had them bragging how fast they would do those Jerries in and be back before anyone missed them. They laughingly jostled back and forth in sloppy formation as they marched to the ship.

There it was in front of him. A huge destroyer outfitted to accommodate troops and all their specialized equipment. The ship was strangely painted in odd geometric shapes of varying colors. Nothing like any navy ship the private was expecting. It was hard to tell which end was the front. It almost made him want to laugh out loud. But he didn't want to be thought a fool. Other ships in the harbor were also sporting dazzling art displays. What kind of fighting force was America sending to help the Allies? Fred wondered.

Later the new soldier learned it was a distortion tactic to confuse the submarine crews they may encounter along the the shipping lanes of the Atlantic. German U-boats successfully torpedoed merchant, naval and passenger ships. The quirky paint designs on the armada made it harder for the enemy to zero into their shape, size, speed and direction or even how many boats there were. American submarines did not have the range of the German ones so only patrolled close to the shoreline. The US Navy could only use depth charges to target the underwater craft if they could get over top of the sleek tubes. Overall the unusual camouflage kept losses lower.

Trudging up that long gangplank leading to the deck Fred felt his anxiety start to climb. He had seen more indescribable marvels in the last twenty four hours than he had his entire life. Yet here he was perhaps sacrificing his young life to an unknown cause. He was off halfway across the world to possibly fight against the nation of his birth. His mother was from Austrian royalty forced to give up her rights to an empire because of him. She disobeyed societal rules by falling in love with an unacceptable match and producing an illegitimate son. An Irishman had come to her aid and took them across an ocean and a continent. The son was about to cross that same ocean again.

The ship eased out of port and was soon zigzagging across the treacherous North Atlantic frigid January seas. The new engineer corp member never felt so insignificant than when looking out over the vast unending choppy oceanscape. He recalled the maiden voyage of the Titanic a mere six years prior. Maybe the Germans U-boats would have wait in line to get a crack at sinking this warship. What's the matter with me? I've never been afraid of a challenge. I've been waiting for this chance to become a man. I have a mother, a little sister and maybe a future wife depending on my return. Get over myself and enjoy this experience. I'll be in the fray soon enough.

And soon enough, within two weeks time, a green emerald arose out of the distance. Fred couldn't say he had stopped fretting during those weeks but he learned to tolerate the uneasiness. Once word got around 'land ho' all eyes were straining to see. Ireland. It must be Ireland!

Ireland. The land of his stepfather. Fred's none-too-loving stepfather. The man who kept his mother worn out birthing one child after another. The man who couldn't provide an easier life for his aristocratic, sacrificial wife. Okay, calm down. The anxiety is rising again. Patrick isn't all that bad to his other kids. He only has something against me. And I know he does love Leona. Let's take a good look at his homeland. It's January. How can that piece of land look so green?

The ship wasn't docking in Ireland. It would skirt around and go to Liverpool. That still gave the soldiers an awesome view of the Emerald Isle. As the face of the isle passed by it felt so close you could reach out and touch it. Oohs and ahs were audible amongst the assembled spectators. Even skeptical Fred accepted what a beautiful place it appeared to be. Made him wonder why Patrick had ever left such an awe inspiring land. Had he ever asked him?

Something else was settling over Frederick. It was as if the face of that isle showed him the face of the one that passeth all understanding. Words from long ago seeped in as a reminder. 'May His face shine upon you and bring you peace.' Peace. That is what I have been seeking. I should know from my upbringing I have nothing to be anxious about. I can cast all my cares, all my worries on Him who has already done everything for me. No matter how rough the seas, no matter how strong the storms, no matter how intense the fighting, He is with me. His rod and His staff comfort me. He will guide the way. I need only trust and follow Him. And I will. Starting right now. Please be with me in all my struggles. In Jesus' name I pray.

The ship rounded the tip of the island and soon the Three Graces of Liverpool shown white before them followed by the hustle and bustle of the unloading dock. Fred was on his chosen path.