Always Faithful

There are many rooms in my Father’s house. . . I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you to be with me so that you may be where I am.

John 14:2-3 ICB

John Loss (J.L.) Hancock was a rifle marksman in the United States Marine Corp (USMC). He faithfully served his country in World War II. In the Battle of Tarawa, J. L. Hancock, along with many fellow Marines and Sailors, gave the ultimate sacrifice on November 22, 1943.

J. L. and thirty of his fallen comrades were buried in a trench grave, known as Row D of the East Division Cemetery on the Tarawa atoll. The United States military keeps impeccable records of their soldiers, whether alive or dead.

Three years later in 1946, a team arrived in Tarawa to identify and move the bodies of these soldiers. About half of the men were returned to their families. J. L., however, was declared “non-recoverable.”

J. L. was my mother’s cousin. It has been 77 years since his passing. Few family members are still alive that knew him.

My cousin informed me a few days ago that another team had been sent to Tarawa in 2019 to find the fallen soldiers. On February 17, 2021, J. L. was officially identified. On August 4, 2021, J. L. Hancock will be laid to rest in a national cemetery with full military honors.

The USMC motto is semper fidelis which means always faithful. Even after 77 years, the USMC never gave up on J. L. 

As faithful as the Marines are, Jesus is more faithful. He gave us his promises to reassure us. Jesus said, I will not leave you all alone like orphans. I will come back to you (John 14:18 ICB). I will take you to be with me so that you may be where I am (John 14:3 ICB). 

Are you ready?

Jesus, you are always faithful. You will be back!

Terri