Christian Veterans
Today is Veteran’s Day in the US. This is a day when we honor those who have served or are serving in our military. My hometown is adjacent to a major Army flight training base, so I am very familiar with the contributions our veterans make to our society. Without the base, most of the towns around here would be still be one-stop light dirt road communities. But because of the base, my little town is a bustling, progressive, friendly place with a comforting background hum of helicopter blades and nighttime training fire.
I know, that doesn’t really sound like it would be comforting. But in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when all flight was grounded, the sudden silence was deafening. I still remember that first day afterward when I heard the first helicopters once again in the air. It wasn’t until then that I thought maybe our country was going to be okay.
When our town was devastated by an EF-4 tornado, the military reaction from the base was immediate and vital. They used their helicopters to evacuate wounded and heavy equipment to sift through the rubble and debris searching for survivors. In some of the areas of the worst devastation, the military vehicles were the only ones that could reach those who needed help. But that was one time when I didn’t want to hear those chopper blades. They flew right over my house taking the worst of the wounded to a hospital 30 miles away. It was the most disheartening sound knowing that a wounded teenager was being carried away from our demolished high school. But without the military’s help and swift response, our small town’s first responder resources would have been taxed beyond its limits, and we might have suffered more casualties than the 9 we lost that tragic day.
As a stringer for a local newspaper years ago, I covered a few of the events on the base including a change of command ceremony. The sense of duty, honor, and pride was pervasive even to someone like me who had never served. The crisp uniforms, meticulous protocols, respect for command, sounds and sights of the military band — it made me feel a part of my country’s innermost workings and the greatness that wrested this land from foreign rule and gave me the life I lead today.
I love and honor our military. My own ex-husband is now serving in the War, being shipped out in August. The marriage didn’t work out, but I certainly do not wish him ill. I wonder how he is doing over there and how this experience is going to change him. I also pray everyday that he makes it back home to his family safely. His wife and children are in my prayers, as well.
Soldiers deserve our respect and support, whether or not we agree with they are being commanded to do. As you reflect on our veterans today and they contributions they have made to our great nation, take a minute to check out the American Veterans Christian Alliance.
Their mission statement:
To promote an inter-denominational alliance of Christian based military veteran groups, ministries and organizations, with the common goal of evangelization, acts of charity, and active involvement in the Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, through the exercising of our freedom of religion, speech and assembly, in both a private and public manner.
Support them if you can, and pray for all of our veterans. We owe our lives and liberties to them.
Catherine is doing a week’s worth of posts centered around veterans, so be sure to check out her site.
May 26th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
To promote an inter-denominational alliance of Christian based military veteran groups, ministries and organizations, with the common goal of evangelization, acts of charity, and active involvement in the Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, through the exercising of our freedom of religion, speech and assembly, in both a private and public manner.