The Joy of Voting

I'm an American today. I voted. 

Saturday I watched - from the commander's window overlooking the base - a hearse carry home the remains of Marine Captain Trevor J. Yurista. It brought back, with more force and suddenness than I was ready for, memories of my years as a chaplain at Dover AFB, working in the mortuary and praying for families over flag-draped coffins. Thoughts of Capt. Yurista's family and the apparently great life he lived combine with hundreds of versions of the same story where I played a role greater than that of observer. These memories force me to vote. To not vote would be to personally dishonor every fallen soldier our country ever lost. Our right to vote is protected and provided by God through our military, that and every other aspect of American life covered by the Constitution. No military, no vote, no America. I'm sure not everyone feels this way, but I can't help it. I am reassured by the fact that Jesus Himself held military members in such high regard, as they did Him. As I voted and then watched Shannon vote, I held Kelsie (soon 3 years old), who watched in wonder. I told her how important it all was, and that she was an American. Voting would someday be her privilege and responsibility. Her attention was then captured by the playground she saw through the window of the polling station and there we went. 

God bless America. 

Thoughts on the Military

Looking through a pile of memorabilia yesterday, I stumbled across a few medals of mine from a few years ago. One detailed that I had been part of the support team for 19 military-related mass casualty incidents. It reminded me of all that I have seen over the years, especially since 9/11/01. Here are various things related to this that most people might not know:

1) When a bomb explodes, people don't fly through the air, like in the movies. Instead, it's pieces of people.

2) Statements of support for people serving in the military often sound better to those offering them than those receiving them.

3) Most of the best stories of honor and heroism in the military remain untold. For example, the mortuary at Dover is the scene of almost daily honor. People working there do their utmost to offer behind-the-scenes comfort to families of fallen soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines. No one knows.

4) For many, it's impossible to re-enter life after being deployed. Instead, they have to put together a new life using the ingredients of the one they left behind. Someone who has seen combat or who has had related experiences should not be expected or told to "get over it."

5) All have Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). It's the "D" in PTSD that's the problem. The "D" stands for disorder.

6) Much of military service is routine. It's about filling out forms and waiting in line more often than the media portrays.

7) So far, with today's wars, most people in the military are safe. They won't be killed or wounded, but they will still pay a price that many people back home simply will never understand.

8) The families left back home need much more love, care, and attention than they are getting. If we "support the troops," we should show it by supporting their families more.

9) There are many parts of military service that are more significant, exciting, challenging, and satisfying than they look in the media. For many people, it's a life calling they hold close to their hearts. There really are still patriots.

What are your thoughts on all this?