Happy Warrior…

William Wordsworth wrote the poem, Character of the Happy Warrior, in honor of Lord Horatio Nelson, one of the most famous and revered captains in British naval history. The “happy warrior” (Lord Nelson) fought his last battle at Trafalgar, off the coast of Spain. Napoleon Bonaparte, in league with Spain, was assembling a fleet of ships for an invasion of England. Lord Nelson led the British fleet to a great victory, at the cost of his own life.

Franklin Roosevelt…

A little over a hundred years following the death of Lord Nelson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was asked to give a convention speech, endorsing Governor Al Smith for vice president. Roosevelt referred to Smith as “the Happy Warrior of the political battlefield.” Smith lived during a time when being a Catholic in politics found more persecution and hardship, than success. To his credit, he stood his ground as a public servant. He lost the nomination by the way, but four years later, Smith became his party’s nominee for president. Unfortunately, he was overwhelming defeated in the 1928 presidential election. The title of Happy Warrior became affixed to Al Smith’s career.

Glorious Gain…

Even though he was referring to Smith, the real warrior was Roosevelt himself. Three years prior to the convention speech, the athletic and active man, known as FDR, was diagnosed with polio. He was thrust into a sickbed, paralyzed and devastated. The predictions were dire; they said he would never walk or stand on his own power. But like the brave British ship captain of another century, FDR would sail into battle over the next few years, defying the odds. He would live out this verse from Happy Warrior: “Who, doomed to go in company with Pain, And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train! Turns his necessity to glorious gain.”(emphasis mine)

Enduring Hardship…

I have written previously, about the place of suffering, which often co-exists with our Christian faith. Overcoming victory will always be our destination, whether in this life or the next. However, seasons of enduring hardship, our “necessity”, is what we must somehow turn to “glorious gain.” Roosevelt wore twenty pound leg braces the night of that convention speech. He walked with crutches to the podium, shook and trembled throughout, and left the audience deeply inspired. It would be years before he returned to the political scene, but first he had another group of people to inspire.

New Empathy…

Warm Springs is a small town about an hour south of Atlanta. It was here that Franklin Roosevelt went in search of healing waters. The mineral water spa was run down and dilapidated, but the waters brought great relief and improvement to his physical condition. He was so impacted that he bought the entire facility and spent four years overseeing its renewal. He oversaw the construction crews, the hiring of staff, and the establishing of a nonprofit foundation. Funds were raised for future sponsorship of individual polio patients. Franklin became a coach of sorts, exercising in the pool with patients during the day, while also participating in evening, recreational activities. It is said that he was transformed during his time here.  He developed a “powerful new empathy”, enabling him to emotionally connect with others in need.

Another line from Happy Warrior is apropos here: “As more exposed to suffering and distress; Thence, also, more alive to tenderness.” Wow! I’ve been a pastor for the past thirty-five years, and logged many hours with people in crisis. “Alive to tenderness” is such a precious phrase. It’s where I want my heart to be, as I interact with my own heart and also those in need.

Embracing a Nation

Roosevelt is the only president to have served more than two terms. He was actually elected president for four terms. He came to the White House in 1932, when the country was in the midst of the Great Depression (1929-39). The “wheelchair president” could feel the angst of the people and nobly led the United States through these times. Even as Lord Nelson faced his evil nemesis in Napoleon, FDR would face off against Hitler and the Empire of Japan. His arteriosclerosis had been worsened by the stress of serving as a war-time president, leading to his death just seven months before the war was officially over. The “happy warrior” was seeking to recover from a stroke, when he passed away at his vacation home in Warm Springs, Georgia.

It is my prayer that we all be empowered by the grace of God, to turn our necessity to glorious gain. 

Note: this post has been a bit different, inspired by the book currently on my coffee table: Leadership in Turbulent Times, by Doris Kearns Goodwin. To learn more about the 32nd U.S. President, visit here https://fdrlibrary.org/