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Joshua Todd Byers
West Point, 1996
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Abe Usher on August 3, 2003:
Josh Byers. I had the privilege of meeting Josh Byers while we both attending West Point together as cadets. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and he loved his family and friends. He was an inspiration to me, and to those who knew him. One special characteristic that I remember about Josh is that he always knew where he was and where he was going.
I recall when we were in cadet field training, an officer questioned Josh while he was leading a patrol of fellow cadets. The officer asked Josh ?Are you lost cadet?? and he replied ?No sir ? I?ve got my pace count and azimuth.?
While navigating by foot, pace count and azimuth are two critical measurements. Pace count is the measure of your footsteps ? it tells you have far you have come, and how far you have to go.
Azimuth refers to a compass direction. Without the right direction, you have no way of knowing which way to go.
In his relationship with God, Josh kept his pace count and azimuth straight. Josh measured his footsteps by the Word of God, and he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus Christ for his direction. I witnessed Josh?s marvelous faith in his life as a cadet, as a soldier, and as a family man.
Cadet. I met Josh Byers in September 1992 and he instantly became my best friend at West Point. I was drawn to him because of his love for Jesus Christ. I spent much time with Josh, studying academics, lifting weights, exercising, studying the Bible, and praying. Josh continually prayed for me, encouraged me, and challenged me. Josh subordinated his goals to serve others. He volunteered his time to special Olympics and community events at West Point. He also served as a lay leader in the Baptist Church. In his cadet ring, Josh had an inscription that reads ?To Lead is to Serve.? He followed Jesus Christ?s example of servant leadership, and he sought to glorify God in all of his efforts. Josh was known for his upright character; his classmates selected him to serve as the Executive Officer of the Cadet Honor committee, a very high distinction at West Point. Serving as a leader of the honor code was natural for him, because the fruit of the Holy Spirit was so evident in his life. Our last week together at West Point, Josh & I attended a promise keepers conference in Washington, DC. At that conference Josh shared his faith and led a man to Christ. In our West Point yearbook, under Josh?s picture there is a reference to the Scripture, Joshua 1:9 ?Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.?
Soldier. As a soldier, Josh was head and shoulders above his peers. He loved his soldiers, and cared for them deeply. He sought every opportunity to make himself the best possible leader for his men. Josh was an Airborne Ranger, and he embodied the Ranger Creed in his actions. Part of the Ranger Creed says ?Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, 100% and then some.? Indeed Josh was strong for his fellow soldiers. There are several accounts from soldiers in the 3rd ACR that Josh Byers saved their lives. In his correspondence, Josh often quoted Philippians 4:13 ? ?I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.? Josh wrote to me in a letter ?I have grown so much closer to the Lord through this experience than I could have ever imagined before actually being in the combat zone. God?s presence is so real, His protection so complete. I rely on Him completely everyday and just do my best to perform every task to the best of the ability that He has given me. I also pray for daily wisdom and strength as I lead these incredible soldiers through these times. I have to be strong for them, no matter what ? my relationship with Christ is what allows me to do that, day in and day out.? Josh led by example and set a high standard for others to follow. He risked his life multiple times to protect the lives of his fellow soldiers and the lives of Iraqi civilians.
Family man. Josh?s faith was also illustrated in his family relationships. He frequently mentioned his parents and brothers to me at West Point, and asked me to pray for them often. I will never forget December 19th, 1998, when Josh married his very best friend, Kim. It was a beautiful day, to witness the wedding to two such wonderful people. Every time I heard from Josh after his wedding, he made mention of Kim and what a blessing she was to him. In a letter I received from him this past March, he wrote ?Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and concerns for Kim as well. I think she has it harder than me in so many ways. At least I know what?s going on here and can do everything in my power to control the danger and understand the risks. She has to sit at home and just wonder ? not knowing exactly what I?m doing or when I?m doing it. I pray for her constantly and thank God that he has blessed me with such a wonderful wife. She is not only my wife, but my best friend ? I am truly blessed.?
Remember his example. Throughout his life, Josh Byers kept his pace count and azimuth. He always measured his steps by the Word of God, and he kept his direction by fixing his eyes on Jesus Christ. Because Josh trusted in Jesus Christ for his salvation, we are confident that he is now in God?s presence in heaven. I do not know why God chose to take Josh so soon; I will miss him every day for the rest of my life. I look forward to the day when we will be reunited together in heaven through the saving grace of Jesus. Until that day, I will seek to remember Josh and honor his memory by living as he lived ? measuring my footsteps by the Word of God, and keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, our great hope and salvation.
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