My father served in the US Navy in the 1950′s in the South Pacific. Mercifully, he was honorably discharged before the Korean War started getting hot. Both of my uncles served in the Army. One of them served during WWII and saw action in Europe, another served in the Pacific. My dad’s cousin also served in the military. All of the men in my family from that generation served. I guess since it was all before I was born, it’s easy to forget their service to our country. The closest family member of my generation that has served is my wife’s brother. Unfortunately, he passed away before she and I met so I didn’t have a chance to get to know him.
My dad was telling me about a HBO movie he saw last week called “Taking Chance.” I set my DVR to record it and glad I did. The was not an anti-war movie nor was it even pro-war. It was a very well-made film about the sacrifice of a fallen Marine and the lengths that the government goes to care for the remains. I’m not a movie critic as I’ve mentioned previously, so I’m not going to provide a review here. But if you get HBO, be on the lookout for this one. I was humbled by the honor we show our Marines, soldiers, sailors and pilots, as we should. They pay an enormous price to keep us safe and for that, I’m truly grateful to each of them.
Each Christian is called to be a soldier for Christ. Ours is a battle of the supernatural, no less important nor dangerous.
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. –2 Timothy 2:3-4.
God bless each member of our military. May He watch over and protect each of them wherever they are in the world. Thank you.
May He Increase (and may we remain “Semper Fidelis” to Christ)!
Joe,
Great post. It is so important to thank those in the military for their service. My dad served as well and so did my grandfather. My mom’s uncle was killed during WW II in the Pacific and is buried in a Federal cemetery in Hawaii I always wanted to be a jet fighter pilot, so I could be an astronaut. It was my lifelong dream and I would still love a ride in a jet if anyone is listening out there in military land. But I was blinded in my right eye as a teenager and that ended the dream. Nevertheless, I still have much love for our guys in uniform.
Had I enlisted right out of high school, more than likely I would have been in Desert Storm. I sometimes think about what if I had joined up and what if I was in combat? What would that be like?
I don’t know what goes through a soldiers mind when they head off to war. Does each one think “I’ll be back home” or “I’m not going to make it?” I know they train for this and that’s the part that, in a way, I’m jealous of. That courage to go and fight to protect our freedom and safety. It must take a special person to do that. I guess I’ll never know if I was strong enough to serve. Movies like “Taking Chance” and “Saving Private Ryan” always make me ask those questions. I know that no amount of imagination will ever get me that answer. But in that imagination, I’m humbled at the bravery of those like my father and uncles and all who serve. And isn’t that the heart of one of Jesus’ commandments to us: to serve others? To lay down your life for a friend? Wow.
God bless our men and women in uniform!
Thanks Jeff!
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