Life at War

I was in combat throughout my entire time here.  We are in Eastern Afghanistan on the Pakistani border,  it is well described as the deadliest place in Afghanistan.  Our Brigade lost 32 Soldiers in our year here…I lost two good friends. 

Did I make a difference…did I help Soldiers….?  My time as a pastor at Elk Creek, and a EMS Captain at McCall both prepared me to see and do what I have done….to physically save lives, which I have done…to emotionally be a force multiplier by helping “Joes” process the hell that they have seen… facilitated multiple Critical Incident Stress debriefings  and I was privileged as a Chaplain to bring a sense of the Holy to the Horror and to visibly demonstrate the love of God to Soldiers…the creed is Soldiers to God and God to Soldiers…providing for their free exercise of religion to those who desire it and a ear of compassion and guidance to all. 

Personally it has been one of the most trying things I have ever done, I have seen things, I thought I would never see….I have experienced the darkest heart of humanity in a country that the enemy’s tactics include brainwashing 10 year old children to be suicide bombers….even blowing up icecream trucks while children and coalition forces are there….

But I have also seen the best of humanity…my friend SSG Nigel Kelly, and SGT William Gross who gave their  last full measure of devotion to God and country willingly laid down their lives in order to bring hope to this country and a brighter future….I have wept with my men, I have laughed, through it all the 23^rd Psalm has brought me comfort,  Yeah tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil….I have walked in my year here, many times through the valley of death.  I have grown, I appreciate things more, my children, my life, good friends, freedom, and my faith.

I was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious service, something that Chaplains seldom receive for my actions in a combat zone under the most extreme situations and circumstances before Thanksgiving last year. 

I was able to be with my family right before Thanksgiving, the first time we were all together in three years, Tyson and Ralene, who are youth pastors in Florida, Cody who is in England in the AirForce and then myself.  We all got together and celebrated all of the Holidays and birthdays and stuff for the last two years by going to Disney World and staying in the Military resort there called Shades of Green.