"We are all Jews here."
The brave stand of Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds.
Yesterday, April 14th, was Holocaust Remembrance Day, a solemn reminder that we must always stand for God’s people. Below is a story of one man who took this to heart.
On March 2, 2026, Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds was finally honored with the Presidential Medal of Honor for an act of extreme bravery, courage, and conviction.
At a POW camp in Germany, a Nazi officer ordered all the Jewish American POWs to fall out, planning to take them away to brutal forced labor concentration camps. Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds, though not Jewish himself, decided to take a stand. He ordered all the American soldiers to fall out, whether they were Jewish or not.
When confronted by the Nazi officer, Roddie boldly said, “We are all Jews here.”
In reply, the German officer drew his gun and placed it to Roddie forehead. But even while staring at death, Roddie refused to turn over the Jewish soldiers. By the Lord’s grace (and in answer to Roddie’s prayers!), the Nazi gave up.
Roddie’s stand saved the lives of almost 200 men. He stepped in and risked his own life, although he could have easily just stood by and watched them march off to their deaths. How different from today, where the Jewish people are maligned, persecuted, and attacked from all sides.
Roddie’s actions were also a great testimony to the soldiers. They knew he was a Christian, and his stand made a deep impact on them.
“He said, ‘We are all Jews here’. How would a Christian come out and say that…? He was truly a remarkable person, yes- and a true Christian.”
-Paul Stern, one of the Jewish POWs saved by Roddie’s stand.
May we, like Roddie, stand firmly for God’s people, despite the consequences. Let us witness and minister to God’s people, so that “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:4).
The documentary about Roddie, “Footsteps of My Father”, is available for free viewing for a limited time. It is a powerful, inspiring film, documenting Roddie’s stand and the journey of his son, Pastor Chris Edmonds, as he researched the story. JIYM highly recommends this film and encourages you to take a little time and watch it.
Use this link to watch now: Footsteps of My Father | Videos & Movies on Vimeo
*This link will work for a limited time only.*
More about Roddie Edmonds:
Roddie’s Code - Roddie Edmonds
Roddie Edmonds | Righteous Among the Nations
Discovering Dad - Roddie Edmonds
Roddie Edmonds - Jewish Foundation for the Righteous
Pray that Christians will have the courage to stand like Roddie.
News from Israel:
Holocaust Memory Turned Against the Jews | HonestReporting
CENTCOM: US naval blockade of Iranian ports ‘fully implemented’ - JNS.org - Jewish News Syndicate
Hamas refuses to disarm, demands Board of Peace change Gaza ceasefire plan | The Jerusalem Post
A Warning to the Church: Tucker Carlson mirrors Father Coughlin's antisemitism | The Jerusalem Post
'The View' co-hosts clash over whether to embrace ex-Trumpers like Marjorie Taylor Greene | Fox/Yahoo News - This after Rep. Ilhan Omar suggested welcoming her into the Democrat Party with open arms. There’s a problem when the Squad suggests granting granting party membership to someone who calls themself a “conservative” and “Christian” - See 2 Timothy 4:3-4.