Loving God and Country

I recently heard, through my parents in Colorado, about an incident that took place in Iraq at the same base where I will soon be serving with many fellow soldiers of the 76th Brigade. As the event was described by one chaplain last spring, about 1,000 soldiers had gathered in an auditorium that was used for movies. On this occasion, prior to a showing of “Superman 3,” the National Anthem was played (as is customarily done on military bases). Unfortunately, the song was only three quarters of the way through when the music stopped. The soldiers, who were standing at attention, remained as they were as the music started again. But again, at the same point, the music stopped.

According to Chaplain Jim Higgins, “you could have heard a pin drop. Every soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice; then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:”

‘And the rocket’s red glare,
The bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free
And the home of the brave?’

We are certainly troubled by the adversity we see in today’s world. Even as we prepare to face dangers overseas, we learn of the tragic deaths of at least 55 last week in the catastrophic weather that hit Tennessee. Yet there are always moments that remain with us: the self-sacrificing fire fighter or police officer; the child holding an American flag; soldiers kneeling in prayer together; and all of the imagery that teaches us the true meaning of “greatness.” We are indeed humbled to see true love in each other.

In the coming weeks, our soldiers will carry the love of friends and family back home as we journey overseas. We are all in this together. We long for peace and freedom together; and we fight for each other.

Blessings!

Daniel