This week I had the opportunity of a lifetime!
This week my son in law and a portion of his company were deployed to a place half a world away; away from friends, family, loved ones, children. They were a relatively small contingent, but they were headed off because duty calls.
And I had the opportunity to be a fly on the wall just before departure.
What I witnessed was a room full of young men and women who voluntarily chose to serve their country and by extension you and me and every other American. This band of soldiers was a literal microcosm of any small, medium or large town in the United States: a typical mix of whites, blacks, Hispanics and Asians with matching names. They were from all parts of the country, south, Midwest, northeast, mountain states; just regular Americans. There were husbands and wives, newborns, toddlers and school aged kids seeing mom or dad off. There were a couple of us parents there too.
Before I go on, I need to mention the overwhelming sense of community. Everyone there helped one another in a variety of capacities. One couple (the wife who would be deploying several days later), went from house to house helping to clean and scrub and power wash kitchens, bathrooms, floors and homes in anticipation of Base Housing inspections. There was sharing of little odds and ends. The experienced soldiers gave tips to the younger ones on how to better pack their gear. Others volunteered to help with moving or housing before they would go back to their respective native homes. Time and again I heard the phrase, “hey, we’re a family”, and they meant it to the very soul of their being.
Family yes, but there's also a great sense of personal responsibility. Help is available, but you also are required to pitch in; nothing is done for you - with you, yes; but not for you. There's no free ride. They are adults.
The room was nothing special. A couple of bland, yet efficient offices ringed the main meeting room. There was a recreation area with chairs and couches, a billiard table and television. Posters on the walls reminded the troops of their responsibilities. One was a reminder that their votes as American citizens did indeed count (one that we civilians need to remember); after all, that’s what these folks are fighting to protect for the rest of us. The one poster that riveted my attention was clear as to their duty: “Never Accept Defeat.” That’s a noble calling each and every one of us should keep in mind regardless of our individual occupation or role in life. Each of us was created by God to do good works for His glory and honor and our joy. Too often we take our liberties and our freedoms for granted. After today, I don’t believe I’ll be able to think that again.
Whether this was the soldier’s first deployment or not, there was a certain nervous tension in the air. Each of them checked in to the platoon office with their duffle bags packed taking as much personal and professional stuff as they could carry (I learned that it is much easier to fold up the protective vest without the body armor in it rather than trying to fold plates of steel…). Basically, each soldier was carrying with them all their worldly goods that they would need to survive; especially important things like pictures of spouses and children (who they were protecting) or their Bible. There was friendly chit chat as the spouses greeted one another. I recognized several of them who I had the pleasure of meeting over the past couple of days. They introduced me to their husband or wife, their superiors and lieutenant.
One of the things that really struck me was the youthfulness of these soldiers. It appeared that most of them were in their early to mid-twenties. And yet, they were more mature than their years. They would face down evil. Some would even face down death. They understand that they will face an enemy who not only hates them but also despises our American way of life and liberty. But more than that, these young men and women are professionals. They have a job to do and they are about to do it well and without complaint. They will suffer hardships and working conditions that you and I can’t begin to fathom. They are doing their jobs because they chose to do this kind of work.
These soldiers truly are among America’s finest men and women.
And then I just sat back as a fly on the wall and listened to varied conversations. Some talked about past deployments, others talked about the flight overseas. Still others sat and prepped their firearms (I think half of them could do it blindfolded). Two or three mentioned late night phone calls to parents who weren’t able to be there. One young man with glasses quipped that he didn’t have any family; his face and his comment will stay in mind for a while. Through it all I think there were a lot of tears being held back.
After about an hour of waiting came the call to fall into formation. The troops assembled themselves outside the building and a simple roll call was taken. It was brief. And then came the good byes.
One by one, couple after couple kissed each other good bye. Fathers and mothers hugged and kissed their children one last time. They would return to see them grown several inches; their little ones just beginning to talk to welcome them home. It was time for one last embrace. I can’t fully describe my own emotions; they were a combination of sobriety, a parent’s “fear” of the unknown for their child, hope and concern for safety and a safe return, thoughts of love and concern for the other spouses. In all of my years, I’ve said a lot of good-byes to a lot of people. This was one that will stay with me for a long time.
Do I remember all of their names? No. But I pray that I will remember at least their faces. I wish each of them success and safety. They are all in God’s merciful and loving hands. We are left behind to contend with our homes and families and we too are in His merciful and loving hands.
I don’t know what the future will bring to them, nor to me. But after today I can say that I have even more respect for the countless men and women who proudly and unashamedly serve our country. They serve you and me by providing each one of us with a way of life and a standard of living that is the envy of the rest of the world.
As I said before, these men and women are among America’s finest. We are very proud of them. I’m proud to call one of them my son in law. He’s a good husband to my daughter and a good daddy to my grandson; and I love him almost as much as his own mom and dad.
Will you spend just a couple of minutes in prayer each day for our troops wherever in the world they may serve? Ask God to protect them whether they are doing the mundane chores of field support or are out on patrol in hostile territory. Pray that each one would have discernment in their duties and a proper attitude. Our American troops are not conquerors; they are liberators. Pray for their leaders and commanders for proper direction. Pray for their safe return to their families who love them and anxiously await their return to our arms. You don’t need to know their individual names, our Father in Heaven already knows who you’re praying for.
May God bless and protect each one of us, whether we're here at home or somewhere else promoting hope and liberty to those who do not have it.
