President Lincoln stood at the battlefield at Gettysburg and declared that that ground had been consecrated by the blood of the brave men who struggled there. For centuries valiant Americans have struggled, bled, and died in defense of freedom and the values for which this nation stands. As a result, there are hallowed places across the world that have been consecrated by the blood of those who have fought for liberty and justice.
At places such as Flanders Field, Normandy Beach, northern Africa, Somalia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Eastern Europe, Central America, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as on the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific, Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice and have thereby consecrated those sites.
As a combat commander who led a rifle platoon into battle, I especially want to acknowledge the more than 58,000 young Americans who laid down their lives in the effort to enable others to live in freedom. I've walked in the mountains and valleys of that farflung part of the world, on ground consecrated by brave warriors. Let us never forget them or the thousands of others who have who have given all for us.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Welcome Home
I arrived in Vietnam in the fall of 1971, fresh from a year and a half tour in Germany in the First Infantry Division. After a brief orientation, I was given my orders, handed my gear, loaded onto a helicopter, and flown out to the mountains west of DaNang, a reluctant warrior whose mission was to command 35 young men who were equally as reluctant.
As the chopper landed on the mountainside, I noticed several soldiers running toward us. “They’re happy to see me,” I thought. It didn’t take me long to realize that they were rushing to unload the rations and mail from the Huey.
I slid out rather ingloriously, stepped onto the skid, and, holding onto my helmet and struggling to get my rucksack properly adjusted, asked the first GI that I encountered to take me to Sergeant Garlic, the platoon sergeant.
Sergeant Mike Garlic, a 3-tour combat veteran, was to become my right hand, an experienced and tested NCO upon whom I learned to lean.
He extended his hand. “Welcome, Lieutenant. We’ve been expecting you.”
“Sergeant Garlic,” I started, “I’ve spent the last year and a half commanding mortar and recon platoons in Germany. I’m going to rely on you, especially in my first week or so in the bush. I trust your judgment and your abilities. I’ll make the decisions, but I will look to you for input.”
“Roger that, LT.”
It was in that moment that I realized that I had been given a new moniker. Men didn’t salute or call you sir in the jungle, because Charlie liked to target officers. L.T. was fine with me.
After the Huey had been unloaded and our position secured again, I began to meet the men of my platoon. They were a diverse bunch who had little in common except for a shared mission and a shared hardship, and the fact that virtually every one of them had been drafted, as had I. This assemblage of soldiers was a cross-section of America – every corner of the country, every ethnicity, every political persuasion. There were southerners such as Jimmy from Alabama and our machine gunner, Mike, from Louisiana. There were northerners like Bob, from Pennsylvania, and another grunt that we all knew simply as Linebarger. There were even two E5s from California who had been in graduate school.
Our mission was to disrupt the supply caravans that traveled the Ho Chi Minh Trail from North Vietnam into the south. We patrolled each day, setting up ambushes in areas of suspected activity. Before dark we circled into our night defensive perimeter and braced for attack.
When we moved each day we had to cut a trail through the jungle undergrowth. Yet, as difficult as were our circumstances, these young men went about their duties without grumbling or complaining. We knew how much we needed to hang together for survival.
For the next several months the first platoon of Alpha Company, First of the Forty-sixth Infantry, slogged through the jungles, slept in two-man defensive positions, engaged the enemy, and battled the elements – monsoon rains, snakes and leeches. As we patrolled together, fought side by side, and for three days each month partied together in the rear, we grew to be a unit, and I grew to admire and respect every young man in my command. I felt honored to lead them.
One episode in particular reminds me of the indomitable spirit of the American fighting man. Early one October morning, we were all startled by the thud of an anti-personnel mine, then realized with horror that it was Bob Maggs, our radio operator, who had caught the trip wire. Bob died before we could get him evacuated by helicopter. This nineteen-year-old soldier left behind a wife he had hardly gotten to know before he shipped out to the other side of the world.
After we regrouped, I began asking for volunteers to carry the platoon radio, one of the toughest and most dangerous assignments. I was amazed by the number of volunteers.
“I’ll hump (carry) the radio, L.T.”
If I heard it once, I heard it a dozen times.
These were brave young men with whom I was privileged to serve. They were heroes. Represented by men like Bob Maggs and 58,000 other names on a granite wall in Washington, along with thousands more who came home to a less-than-grateful nation, they were and are America’s finest. I salute you – and every veteran of every era. Welcome home.
As the chopper landed on the mountainside, I noticed several soldiers running toward us. “They’re happy to see me,” I thought. It didn’t take me long to realize that they were rushing to unload the rations and mail from the Huey.
I slid out rather ingloriously, stepped onto the skid, and, holding onto my helmet and struggling to get my rucksack properly adjusted, asked the first GI that I encountered to take me to Sergeant Garlic, the platoon sergeant.
Sergeant Mike Garlic, a 3-tour combat veteran, was to become my right hand, an experienced and tested NCO upon whom I learned to lean.
He extended his hand. “Welcome, Lieutenant. We’ve been expecting you.”
“Sergeant Garlic,” I started, “I’ve spent the last year and a half commanding mortar and recon platoons in Germany. I’m going to rely on you, especially in my first week or so in the bush. I trust your judgment and your abilities. I’ll make the decisions, but I will look to you for input.”
“Roger that, LT.”
It was in that moment that I realized that I had been given a new moniker. Men didn’t salute or call you sir in the jungle, because Charlie liked to target officers. L.T. was fine with me.
After the Huey had been unloaded and our position secured again, I began to meet the men of my platoon. They were a diverse bunch who had little in common except for a shared mission and a shared hardship, and the fact that virtually every one of them had been drafted, as had I. This assemblage of soldiers was a cross-section of America – every corner of the country, every ethnicity, every political persuasion. There were southerners such as Jimmy from Alabama and our machine gunner, Mike, from Louisiana. There were northerners like Bob, from Pennsylvania, and another grunt that we all knew simply as Linebarger. There were even two E5s from California who had been in graduate school.
Our mission was to disrupt the supply caravans that traveled the Ho Chi Minh Trail from North Vietnam into the south. We patrolled each day, setting up ambushes in areas of suspected activity. Before dark we circled into our night defensive perimeter and braced for attack.
When we moved each day we had to cut a trail through the jungle undergrowth. Yet, as difficult as were our circumstances, these young men went about their duties without grumbling or complaining. We knew how much we needed to hang together for survival.
For the next several months the first platoon of Alpha Company, First of the Forty-sixth Infantry, slogged through the jungles, slept in two-man defensive positions, engaged the enemy, and battled the elements – monsoon rains, snakes and leeches. As we patrolled together, fought side by side, and for three days each month partied together in the rear, we grew to be a unit, and I grew to admire and respect every young man in my command. I felt honored to lead them.
One episode in particular reminds me of the indomitable spirit of the American fighting man. Early one October morning, we were all startled by the thud of an anti-personnel mine, then realized with horror that it was Bob Maggs, our radio operator, who had caught the trip wire. Bob died before we could get him evacuated by helicopter. This nineteen-year-old soldier left behind a wife he had hardly gotten to know before he shipped out to the other side of the world.
After we regrouped, I began asking for volunteers to carry the platoon radio, one of the toughest and most dangerous assignments. I was amazed by the number of volunteers.
“I’ll hump (carry) the radio, L.T.”
If I heard it once, I heard it a dozen times.
These were brave young men with whom I was privileged to serve. They were heroes. Represented by men like Bob Maggs and 58,000 other names on a granite wall in Washington, along with thousands more who came home to a less-than-grateful nation, they were and are America’s finest. I salute you – and every veteran of every era. Welcome home.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
You know that you lied.
Dear Richard Blumenthal,
All the stories today concerning your military record are quoting your sources as saying that you "misspoke" when you stated that you served in VietNam. Here in the south we don't use such a euphemism. We simply say, "you lied."
Granted, thefreedictionary.com definition of misspeak is:
To speak or pronounce incorrectly: The lead actor misspoke his lines.
Now, applying this definition, the best that can be said of you is that you are an actor playing the part of an actual veteran of VietNam. But the stakes are too great for any candidate to be playing the part of someone they're not. In your case, you're not a veteran of VietNam, but rather than misspeaking about you military experience, you simply and knowing lied.
As a peer from that same era, I can certainly understand the value of the deferments that so many sought, myself included. I was a college student at the height of the war, with a 2A student deferment, but unfortunately I flunked out of college in 1968 and was drafted. Already married, I was sworn into the Army on the day my daughter turned 3 months old. I tried to convince the local draft board that I should be granted some other kind of deferment as a husband and father, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.
While in basic training at Fort Knox, I applied for and was accepted into both officer candidate school and flight school. Upon graduation from OCS I was given orders to Germany, where I served for 18 months in an infantry battalion as a mortar then a recon platoon leader. Then, in the summer of 1971, the Army decided that my services were needed in Southeast Asia, so I relocated my family back to our home town and off I shipped to command a rifle platoon in the mountainous jungles west of DaNang. Later I was reassigned to command the battalion heavy mortar platoon.
In the late spring of 1972 the adjutant's office called me in to discuss my future. They offered to promote me to captain and give me my own company to command in exchange for extending my tour by six months in country. If I didn't accept this offer, I could go home a couple of months early. I chose the latter, and don't regret it one bit.
That's my story. I was there. I served alongside some of the finest young men I've ever been privileged to know. Most of my platoon were conscripts who weren't able to obtain deferments or arrange a reserve assignment. They served bravely and honorably and most came home under their own power. Not all did.
Your deceit dishonors their service, and the service of the thousands of young Americans who have served in combat.
To quote a song from our era, "You know that you lied. You lied, you lied, lied, lied, lied." So, spare us the euphemisms, sir.
All the stories today concerning your military record are quoting your sources as saying that you "misspoke" when you stated that you served in VietNam. Here in the south we don't use such a euphemism. We simply say, "you lied."
Granted, thefreedictionary.com definition of misspeak is:
To speak or pronounce incorrectly: The lead actor misspoke his lines.
Now, applying this definition, the best that can be said of you is that you are an actor playing the part of an actual veteran of VietNam. But the stakes are too great for any candidate to be playing the part of someone they're not. In your case, you're not a veteran of VietNam, but rather than misspeaking about you military experience, you simply and knowing lied.
As a peer from that same era, I can certainly understand the value of the deferments that so many sought, myself included. I was a college student at the height of the war, with a 2A student deferment, but unfortunately I flunked out of college in 1968 and was drafted. Already married, I was sworn into the Army on the day my daughter turned 3 months old. I tried to convince the local draft board that I should be granted some other kind of deferment as a husband and father, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.
While in basic training at Fort Knox, I applied for and was accepted into both officer candidate school and flight school. Upon graduation from OCS I was given orders to Germany, where I served for 18 months in an infantry battalion as a mortar then a recon platoon leader. Then, in the summer of 1971, the Army decided that my services were needed in Southeast Asia, so I relocated my family back to our home town and off I shipped to command a rifle platoon in the mountainous jungles west of DaNang. Later I was reassigned to command the battalion heavy mortar platoon.
In the late spring of 1972 the adjutant's office called me in to discuss my future. They offered to promote me to captain and give me my own company to command in exchange for extending my tour by six months in country. If I didn't accept this offer, I could go home a couple of months early. I chose the latter, and don't regret it one bit.
That's my story. I was there. I served alongside some of the finest young men I've ever been privileged to know. Most of my platoon were conscripts who weren't able to obtain deferments or arrange a reserve assignment. They served bravely and honorably and most came home under their own power. Not all did.
Your deceit dishonors their service, and the service of the thousands of young Americans who have served in combat.
To quote a song from our era, "You know that you lied. You lied, you lied, lied, lied, lied." So, spare us the euphemisms, sir.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Living through storms
One thing is for certain: storms will come. I was reminded of this just today when I ran into a dear friend outside the post office. Jack was my neighbor for nearly ten years, but before and since he has been a great friend. Jack is one of the kindest, most soft-spoken people I know. He genuinely cares for others, and has the heart of a servant. Just a couple of years ago Jack lost an eye to cancer, and today he told me that it appears that the cancer may have spread to his liver. He asked for prayer - especially this Friday morning as he undergoes a biopsy procedure.
We got to talking about the storms of life, and Jack reminded me of the sermon he heard just two Sundays ago about how Jesus calmed the storm that arose on the sea of Galilee. And not only did he calm the storm, he calmed his frantic followers as well.
This gave me an opportunity to share with Jack a personal experience of being in a storm. Twenty years ago I had emergency surgery to remove my colon - yes, the entire length of it. I learned later that it had perforated and that I was in really bad shape. In fact, my surgeon gave me less than a 50/50 chance of surviving.
One moment I recall vividly from my eight days in intensive care. As I lay in the bed in this tiny room, with three IV poles behind me, feeding nutrients, meds, and who knows what else into a central line in my neck, I began to feel as if my life was slipping away. I couldn't move, I was so weak. So, I began to pray, something simple like, "Lord, help me." (Much like the disciples must have prayed.)
At that very moment a peaceful calm settled over me and I had this undeniable sense that I was not alone in this room. I never heard a voice, but I believe that Jesus himself was standing at the head of my bed, and the message I heard within was, "Child, I'm here with you. What I have in store for you is beyond description, and someday you'll be with me in eternity. But, it's not today. I will be here with you as you recover. I'm not through with you yet."
As I related this to Jack I felt the sting of tears in my eyes, and noticed that his own good eye was moist as well. I assured him of my prayers, and also told him I'd share his concern with others and ask them to pray also.
So, please pray for my friend Jack, and his wife, Deborah. Ask God to remind Jack that he is not alone and that the Lord will give him the strength and the peace that he needs.
"Lord, like the song says, 'Sometimes you calm the storm. Other times you calm the child.' May your perfect peace fall on Jack and Deborah as they face this storm. And, if I might be so bold, I'd ask you to heal him of this affliction, in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
We got to talking about the storms of life, and Jack reminded me of the sermon he heard just two Sundays ago about how Jesus calmed the storm that arose on the sea of Galilee. And not only did he calm the storm, he calmed his frantic followers as well.
This gave me an opportunity to share with Jack a personal experience of being in a storm. Twenty years ago I had emergency surgery to remove my colon - yes, the entire length of it. I learned later that it had perforated and that I was in really bad shape. In fact, my surgeon gave me less than a 50/50 chance of surviving.
One moment I recall vividly from my eight days in intensive care. As I lay in the bed in this tiny room, with three IV poles behind me, feeding nutrients, meds, and who knows what else into a central line in my neck, I began to feel as if my life was slipping away. I couldn't move, I was so weak. So, I began to pray, something simple like, "Lord, help me." (Much like the disciples must have prayed.)
At that very moment a peaceful calm settled over me and I had this undeniable sense that I was not alone in this room. I never heard a voice, but I believe that Jesus himself was standing at the head of my bed, and the message I heard within was, "Child, I'm here with you. What I have in store for you is beyond description, and someday you'll be with me in eternity. But, it's not today. I will be here with you as you recover. I'm not through with you yet."
As I related this to Jack I felt the sting of tears in my eyes, and noticed that his own good eye was moist as well. I assured him of my prayers, and also told him I'd share his concern with others and ask them to pray also.
So, please pray for my friend Jack, and his wife, Deborah. Ask God to remind Jack that he is not alone and that the Lord will give him the strength and the peace that he needs.
"Lord, like the song says, 'Sometimes you calm the storm. Other times you calm the child.' May your perfect peace fall on Jack and Deborah as they face this storm. And, if I might be so bold, I'd ask you to heal him of this affliction, in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
Saturday, April 24, 2010
A Wedding Devotional
Romans 12:9-18
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
_____
The scripture passages you’ve selected are so fitting for the two of you, and for this occasion. Here are some things to consider as you begin your lives together.
First, for a Christian marriage to succeed, there must be sincere love. This means a love that is free of deceit, hypocrisy or falseness. It is an earnest, genuine, pure love that must be the foundation of any lasting relationship. True love always thinks of the other first. In another passage Paul admonishes followers of Christ to speak the truth in love, and thereby enable one another to grow and prosper.
This passage also stresses the importance of heartfelt devotion. This, I believe, means both devotion to Christ as Lord of your lives as well as devotion to one another. It’s noteworthy that you’re in the habit of worshipping and growing together in your lives of devotion to Christ. Be assured that the Lord will honor your fervent devotion and bless the two of you as you seek Him daily.
Finally, the Romans passage instructs you to live in harmony with each other. Understand that the two of you are different. As one book title suggests, you’re from Mars and you’re from Venus. And your different personalities and interests are healthy. Celebrate your differences and appreciate that about each other. Build your lives on your common faith and interests, but allow room for each other to express your God-given uniqueness. This leads to a healthy, growing relationship between the two of you.
The other passage you selected is from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
_____
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
_____
As you devote your lives to one another and live in the sincere harmony to which Christ has called you, he will work in your midst to create a resilience that can’t come from human strength or effort alone. The Lord will give you everything you need and will enable you to always be there for one another. He will enable you to stand together and face whatever comes your way.
And we who know you and love you will pray for you as we look forward to how the Lord works in your lives from this day forward.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
_____
The scripture passages you’ve selected are so fitting for the two of you, and for this occasion. Here are some things to consider as you begin your lives together.
First, for a Christian marriage to succeed, there must be sincere love. This means a love that is free of deceit, hypocrisy or falseness. It is an earnest, genuine, pure love that must be the foundation of any lasting relationship. True love always thinks of the other first. In another passage Paul admonishes followers of Christ to speak the truth in love, and thereby enable one another to grow and prosper.
This passage also stresses the importance of heartfelt devotion. This, I believe, means both devotion to Christ as Lord of your lives as well as devotion to one another. It’s noteworthy that you’re in the habit of worshipping and growing together in your lives of devotion to Christ. Be assured that the Lord will honor your fervent devotion and bless the two of you as you seek Him daily.
Finally, the Romans passage instructs you to live in harmony with each other. Understand that the two of you are different. As one book title suggests, you’re from Mars and you’re from Venus. And your different personalities and interests are healthy. Celebrate your differences and appreciate that about each other. Build your lives on your common faith and interests, but allow room for each other to express your God-given uniqueness. This leads to a healthy, growing relationship between the two of you.
The other passage you selected is from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
_____
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
_____
As you devote your lives to one another and live in the sincere harmony to which Christ has called you, he will work in your midst to create a resilience that can’t come from human strength or effort alone. The Lord will give you everything you need and will enable you to always be there for one another. He will enable you to stand together and face whatever comes your way.
And we who know you and love you will pray for you as we look forward to how the Lord works in your lives from this day forward.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Learning courage from the sight impaired
I ran into an old acquaintance at the post office this morning. This is a gentleman that I have seen walking around town for at least the past 15 years. I've never learned his last name; I only know him by his first name, Larry.
Larry walks daily, weather permitting, accompanied by his guide dog. I assume that Larry is almost, if not totally, blind.
Several years ago, when my daughter was newly married, she and her husband, and their daughter, lived near Larry, and got to know him as he traveled up and down their street. He took an interest in them, and every time I've had occasion to speak to him, he has always asked about them.
Today I spoke to Larry, who was removing the mail from his PO box. I had not seen him for quite some time. When I reminded him who I was, his first question was, "How are Laura and Jeremy? I heard that they've moved back."
I don't know how he knew that, or how he even knew that they had moved away for a time.
After catching him up on their whereabouts, I asked him how he was. I had heard that he had been struck by a car several months ago while crossing a street. "My knees still hurt, and I had some bleeding on the brain, but I'm okay, all things considered."
"Well," I said, "it's certainly great to see you out and about, enjoying this glorious day."
Eventually we bade each other goodbye and I found myself thinking what a model of courage and strength this man is; and how genuinely interested he is in others.
And it also occurred to me how much we take for granted. For instance, when was the last time you stopped just to take in the fragrance of spring? And when was the last time you noticed the sound of birds beginning their morning serenade at first light? And how long has it been since you thanked God for this beautiful world in which He has placed us?
Larry walks daily, weather permitting, accompanied by his guide dog. I assume that Larry is almost, if not totally, blind.
Several years ago, when my daughter was newly married, she and her husband, and their daughter, lived near Larry, and got to know him as he traveled up and down their street. He took an interest in them, and every time I've had occasion to speak to him, he has always asked about them.
Today I spoke to Larry, who was removing the mail from his PO box. I had not seen him for quite some time. When I reminded him who I was, his first question was, "How are Laura and Jeremy? I heard that they've moved back."
I don't know how he knew that, or how he even knew that they had moved away for a time.
After catching him up on their whereabouts, I asked him how he was. I had heard that he had been struck by a car several months ago while crossing a street. "My knees still hurt, and I had some bleeding on the brain, but I'm okay, all things considered."
"Well," I said, "it's certainly great to see you out and about, enjoying this glorious day."
Eventually we bade each other goodbye and I found myself thinking what a model of courage and strength this man is; and how genuinely interested he is in others.
And it also occurred to me how much we take for granted. For instance, when was the last time you stopped just to take in the fragrance of spring? And when was the last time you noticed the sound of birds beginning their morning serenade at first light? And how long has it been since you thanked God for this beautiful world in which He has placed us?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Gotcha covered
My church's worship choir and praise band will be presenting a new musical production this Sunday called "Shelter." The music and testimonies serve as reminders that God's got us covered, whatever may come our way.
This has been our experience over the years. My family and I have been through some monumental struggles. Were it not for the perfect peace and shelter of the Almighty Father, we could have come unglued.
And, even now, there are issues we face on a daily basis - concern for family members, health issues, financial concerns, and a world that seems to be moving in the wrong direction.
But, because of our faith in Christ, who tells us not to worry because the Father's "gotcha covered," we have a contentment deep down that in every situation God is working for good (Romans 8:28). And because of that we have a perfect peace and the love of God that casts out fear. (1John 4:18)
This has been our experience over the years. My family and I have been through some monumental struggles. Were it not for the perfect peace and shelter of the Almighty Father, we could have come unglued.
And, even now, there are issues we face on a daily basis - concern for family members, health issues, financial concerns, and a world that seems to be moving in the wrong direction.
But, because of our faith in Christ, who tells us not to worry because the Father's "gotcha covered," we have a contentment deep down that in every situation God is working for good (Romans 8:28). And because of that we have a perfect peace and the love of God that casts out fear. (1John 4:18)
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