Note: My son, Tyler, is currently in the military in Afghanistan. In recent years, Tyler has mentioned various contacts he had with various military chaplains, most notably a chaplain named “Mike. ” I asked Tyler if he would like to talk about his experience with those who are called only to serve and care for soldiers.
Did we want to publish Tyler’s article in homage to our soldiers on Monday?Memorial Day. [1] Although this soldier has returned, many others have not. We must never forget this reality.
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Spring 2015: The C-17 transport aircraft looks different this time. Strange, but almost familiar, a spacious, noisy metal hull that transported me on flights to and from Afghanistan in three previous detachments. Now I’m 36 hours in my frequent flyer room, aiming for a rewards program My sleeping bag is spread on the cold floor, and there’s only 1. 8 meters between me and the outside temperature of -37 degrees C.
My mind turns to different moments, darker moments. From the moment I made exactly the same journey when a storm rose in me, violent waves of questions collided with the sandbanks of my soul. The forerunner of what might have been considered a “collapse. “, “but the grace of God prevailed. I remember a shepherd-soldier uttering the words that calmed the storm.
April 2011: it was another C-17 flight. Seventy-five soldiers were divided into seven in each row, all wearing protective clothing when we returned from Kandahar Airport in Afghanistan. We had kept up our time, we were exhausted and the C-17 was flying away from the war. the words seemed too trivial. We are sitting in silence, reflecting on our experiences, each trying to understand why we came back alive and the others, men who were better than us, followed us in the coffins, there would be no meetings of family members, loved ones or celebrations. Just sadness, loss, confusion, then a military funeral. A little consolation for an indescribable loss.
We strengthened southern Afghanistan, in Zari district, by order of President Obama, shortly after taking office. We’ve seen some of the worst fighting in “Operation Enduring Freedom,” losing so many soldiers that our unit has become “incapable of doing anything. ” However, we are fighting.
Just before we left, the fighting had increased again. Medical evacuation helicopters [2] were launched urgently, as they did when there were valuable shipments to be recovered. They’d get another fallen soldier from the 10th Mountain Division who had just replaced us. I remember praying, “Please don’t let this be Andrew?”or Russ!?. I remember the nausea as if it had happened an hour ago.
But now it was all over, at least for us. I was on my way home, God had protected me from physical harm. Others weren’t so lucky.
In the terrible C-17, I was angry, why would God allow that?How could God do such a thing?The questions bothered me like the rhythm of a drum and refused to receive an answer.
I got up, walking aimlessly on the plane, I lost my mind as Tim McGraw’s song “Something Like That” sounded on my iPod. I confronted the chaplain of our unit, Mike. ” Hey, Tyler, ” he started, “what are you doing?Mike was one of those men who knew instinctively when something was wrong. Despite the bad smell of jet fuel and soldiers who hadn’t showered for days, he could detect the smell of confusion, depression and despair in every corner of town. Mike’s war was for the souls of men, and just like we believe, Mike never left a fallen companion.
The scene was not pretty. I was angry and my words reflected my pain. As a good shepherd-soldier, Mike knew me. He was present in most of my biggest fights, he had seen me at my worst, when suffering and confusion over the absurdities of war dominated me, Mike was a man who wanted to be present in all the important events that occurred. listening carefully to my stern and dark thoughts about God.
For Mike, nothing was theoretical. He wasn’t just the chaplain, spitting worms for feeling good and distributing sweetness, he wasn’t disconnected from our lives and what we were going through, Mike was a God-given man to answer life’s toughest questions. I remembered other moments. Mike spoke to our unit when Matt (the names are fictional) died, when Rob exploded and when Kevin was shot. He gathered us all to pray and rushed to quote the good verses of the Bible.
Mike was also a man who sacrificed himself for his flock; he knew our minds, shared our missions, and was present when the bullets were fired; However, Mike had a different mission. His call was to take care of the souls of his soldiers. Mike comforted us when necessary, prayed for us when we could not pray for ourselves, and helped us stay on course when our forces failed due to operational exhaustion.
Mike was our shepherd, his weapon was the word of God, and his parish was war. The call for attention meant entering into the horror and darkness of helping those who defend our nation and defend one another. While most of us fight for physical survival, Mike fought for the survival of our soul and spirit.
When I finished my emotional torrent, Mike sat up, thinking hard about his words. Had he ever been here? It reminded me of God’s sovereign control over war and peace. Speaking with conviction, he explained to me how God’s good intentions for his people were at the heart of human struggle. Mike has me pastor as only an experienced chaplain can.
My soul received an answer and God was magnified. (It was an experience I could only fully appreciate later). )But did I also feel gratitude? A deep, resonant and uplifting appreciation not only for Mike, but for others like Mike; people who do not work in churches or wear robes, but carry the same sword at different times, whether it is time to kill (or) heal (Ecclesiastes 3. 3). They are holy soldiers who encounter soldiers of sin in their worst moments and help them find their way. They are holy soldiers who respond to the call to serve and care for wounded warriors.
Am I a soldier? The world of Sunday mornings and small groups seems to be far from the cold soil of this C-17. However, I am grateful to God for calling men to lead the soldiers until we can return home and the churches we love.
I’m grateful that when God called, Mike responded
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1: N. T. : Memorial Day is U. S. National Day. But it’s not the first time It takes place every year on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, the holiday pays homage to the US Army. But it’s not the first time That he died in combat.
N. T. : The Medevac helicopter is used for rescue, extraction and medical care operations of combat wounded, also known as air ambulance.