Pastor’s corner - The Fight for Freedom!

Many patriotic emails have been coming my way. Lt. Colonel Chaplain Mike Bryant from Pennsylvania sent me this note to remind me and you of the sacrifice that our military men and women are making at this very moment for our freedoms. The following should challenge our youth at home to appreciate their physical and spiritual freedoms. This article is written with Ephesians 6:12 in mind, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

“The average age of the military man is nineteen years old. He has short hair, a tight –muscled kid who, under normal circumstances, is considered by society as half man, half boy. He is not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to purchase alcohol, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father’s car. He has never collected unemployment.

He is a recent High School graduate; probably an average student, pursued some form of sports activities, drives a ten year old car, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left or swears to be waiting for him when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155 mm howitzer.

He is ten or fifteen pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in thirty seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until his told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitations but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues; he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never forgets to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you are thirsty he will share his water with you and if you are hungry, his food. He will even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and his weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has unashamedly wept in public and in private for friends who have fallen in combat.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to “square away” those around him who haven’t bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as his father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he is paying for our freedom.

Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He asks nothing in return except our friendship and understanding. Remember him always for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. In today’s modern Army we also have brave women over there in danger, doing their part in the tradition of going to war when called to do so. When you go to bed tonight remember your soldiers seeking some shade, some lull in battle for rest, and pray for them.”

Heavenly Father, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. In Jesus name, Amen. God please bless America.

Chaplain Ron McMurray,

Whitman County Sheriff’s Office