by Lorinda K.F. Newton

Dateline: May 2, 1945, Battle of Okinawa, World War II.

Projectiles from entrenched Japanese forces whizzed from multiple directions as hospital corpsman Robert Bush “constantly and unhesitatingly moved from one casualty to another to attend the wounded falling under the enemy’s murderous barrages.”

He reached a gravely wounded marine officer. While administering life-giving plasma, Bush shot at a Japanese soldier with his pistol. An enemy grenade took out his right eye, but he was able to bring the wounded man to safety.

“With the hostile force finally routed, he calmly disregarded his own critical condition to complete his mission, valiantly refusing medical treatment for himself until his officer patient had been evacuated, and collapsing only after attempting to walk to the battle aid station”.

(Wikipedia).

At age 18, Robert Bush was the youngest member of the US Navy to receive the WWII Medal of Honor.
While on a mini vacation, my husband and I discovered Robert Bush Park in South Bend, a small logging town in southwest Washington. Among several statues in the little park stood a WWII memorial honoring Robert Bush’s heroic deed.

In a mini-documentary about his war experience, Bush stated he was only doing what he was trained to do. The Los Angeles Times cited him as saying:

 “This medal wasn’t given to me because I’m the greatest guy who came down the pike,…We had thousands who lost their lives who were certainly equally identifiable as being able, in their mind or the minds of their compadres, to receive the Medal of Honor. But perhaps it wasn’t properly documented. So, I look at it as though I’m a custodian for those who died.”

I was unable to find more about Robert Bush’s character. Yet, these few sources show that as a young man, he was courageous, humble, and self-sacrificing—excellent qualities for a soldier and everyone. In recent decades, our culture has promoted comfortable living, pride, and self-indulgence. The virtues, such as valor, have been cast aside.

Valor

Noah Webster defined valor as: “Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; intrepidity; prowess.”

This old-fashioned word may bring to mind medieval knights and chivalry. Yet, we need valor today, boys in particular. God designed them to be valiant warriors, but our culture suppresses that characteristic.

It is time to reverse this trend, and homeschoolers can lead the way.

We can train our children to develop virtues that will shape them into individuals who may risk their lives helping others as did Robert Bush. Or gallantly enter the battlefield in the marketplace or town square to defend biblical truth.

You can develop virtuous qualities in your children by:

• Reading books about men and women of great character, real-life or fiction.
• Participating in character-building programs.
• Developing godly attributes by studying God’s word.

Character-Developing Books

Authors of yesteryear, such as G. A. Henty, wrote novels for boys not just to entertain but to instill positive values in their readers. A few books by this Victorian author continue to appear on homeschool recommended lists.

Seek books such as these to inspire your children. You can find lists of quality books in various places. Sources I have used include:

• All Through the Ages: History Through Literature Guide by Christine Miller
• The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
• Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt
• Great Books of the Christian Tradition by Terry W. Glaspey (high school level)
• Invitation to the Classics edited by Louise Cowan and Os Guinness (high school level)

I’m a fan of using biographies to teach children virtuous traits and to discuss character flaws. Please see my Substack newsletter covering biographies written for children.

Earlier this year, I read Eric Metaxas’s biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The thick tome initially intimidated me, but I found it a well-paced read on this Christian hero who stood up to the Nazis. A teen could manage reading it.

Character-Building Programs

In the past, scouting organizations trained children in virtuous living. However, they have been hijacked by those who reject traditional values. Fortunately, other organizations have emerged as replacements. These clubs and programs can reinforce what you teach at home.

• Bright Lights: My daughter belonged to a local club. The girls learned lessons on what it means to be a godly woman.
• American Heritage Girls: A scouting-type program started in 1995 that includes earning badges, service projects, leadership opportunities, and outdoor experiences based on Christian values.
• Emily’s Club: Developed by The Legacy Institute, this after-school club is for junior high girls to learn about friendships, purity, and life skills.
• Trail Life: A Christ-centered boy scout alternative where boys from kindergarten through 12th grade are challenged by male mentors to develop character, understand their purpose, and nurture service and leadership skills.
• Character First: My son attended this popular homeschool co-op class during his mid-elementary years. This secular program teaches students about character traits such as honesty and responsibility with animals representing each trait.

Developing Godly Character

One resource I used with my kids to instruct them in godly character traits was the four-volume Hero Tales series by Dave and Neta Jackson. Each hero chapter includes a two-page biography and three stories from the person’s life. Each story illustrates a particular character trait and closes with a Bible verse and three discussion questions. I used them as daily devotionals.

Here are more resources.

• Kingdom Power Glory: A manhood study based on the Lord’s Prayer for young men created by The Legacy Institute.
• Rainbow Resource lists several curricula items.
• Christianbook offers several character development resources.

The best way for a child to develop godly character is through daily reading and meditating on Scripture.

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.

With all my heart I have sought You;

Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You. (Psalm 119: 9-11 NASB1995)

While families must cover the core subjects of reading, writing, mathematics, history, and science in a child’s education, none of these matter as much as developing moral character in a child.

Your child may not valiantly save a life, but virtue will serve him well wherever his life leads.

Lorinda K. F. Newton began homeschooling her children in 2004, and her family joined Academy Northwest in 2014. Her family lives on beautiful Whidbey Island north of Seattle, Washington. She writes about faith, culture, and governing from a biblical worldview at Lorinda’s Ponderings and on Substack. ©2022 by Lorinda K. F. Newton.