wolves. No one would know. If we were barbarians with hatred in our hearts we could have done things barbarians do to bodies, which perpetuates more hatred.
Because we are professionals, we carefully documented and retained his personal possessions for his family, and we contained his remains in a coroners pouch; and we placed that in an American body bag.
Because we don’t have hatred in our hearts, we took our translator out to the family to notify them of the death and to provide grief support. They specifically requested to see the remains of their loved one. So we prepared them for what they would see and then we brought them in and respectfully showed them. Then we presented the intact right hand of the shepherd for them to touch and caress. We waited with them while they prayed Muslim prayers (even as some of us were praying silent Christian ones). Finally, the U.S. Army expedited the arrival of the local Iraqi Police authorities so that they could bury the remains before sunset, which is their tribal custom.
You know my heart God, and I know what you want of my heart. Teach me to be broken and contrite. Prevent hatred from entering the space I reserve for you.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
October 2
MISSION #3: INTERDICTION OPERATION
On March 31, 2004, the same day that the four Blackwater operators were murdered in Fallujah and their bodies were desecrated, I was activated to patrol with a Quick Response Force (QRF). We were summoned to the same ASP where we found the body of the shepherd except this time we had to go much farther in where the UXO was so thick it was like a carpet.
In past weeks in the same area we encountered handfuls of looters who either scrap for metal or ordinance, which they sell. When they sell intact ordinance it is used for only one purpose the base charge for the IEDs (improvised explosive devices), which blow someone up everyday from here to Israel. In each of the previous instances we searched and detained the individuals and turned them over to the US Army.
On this day there were fifteen looters found, and then there were twenty, and then twenty more, and soon there were more than one hundred. We started with only eight of us “contractor” operators and three regular Army Infantry soldiers. Two of the Army soldiers found themselves isolated with over fifty looters. They asked for our immediate assistance, so we split off two three-man teams and patrolled in on foot.
From a distance across all the UXO at least two of the looters shot at us with AK-47s, which were extinguished by immediate suppressive fire. Eventually, my team converged on the two soldiers in the middle of the ASP along with various other looters we apprehended on the way in. After adding our looters to the mix, we were then managing 148 looters.
Because we were carrying more than 250 rounds of ammunition each, we could have lined them up and shot every one of them. Or we could have forced them to walk back through a minefield or any number of unspeakably worse things that have been done in this country by their previous government. But that is not the American way, and that is not the model of behavior we wish to perpetuate here or take back home with us. So we kept firm order and discipline and carefully searched each of them. And then we placed them along a safe road out of the UXO.
When we were sure that everyone was safe, and we knew exactly where the arriving U.S. Army would meet us, we formed them in disciplined columns and carefully marched them out of the ASP.
We returned that night to our FOB, and we heard the news of the fate of our brothers in Fallujah and saw films of their charred remains hanging on a public bridge and people screaming with jubilation.
Father, help me reflect your love in a place where evil rejoices over death and turmoil.
“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44)
October 3
DANIEL IN THE LION’S DEN
We were returning from Najaf and headed to the Polish Base three miles north of Al Hillah to refuel. The flight day was half over. We would refuel and then fly north to Baghdad to conduct our last mission before returning to Balad.
We shut down once we landed. There were American MEDEVAC birds stationed there and a couple of large Polish helicopters. To refuel at most bases we would keep the engines running, here we had to shut all the way down. It was a needed break.
We walked up the hill to the left, past living quarters to the main road through the base. And there before us were the reproduction of the Ishtar Gates. They were tall and blue. This was the focus for the Polish division’s drive from the south. While the rest went for lunch in the dining facility, I followed one of the pilots through the gates and into the courtyard beyond. We met an old archaeologist that offered to show us around.
As we walked I was struck by the history. “This is where Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den… . This is the Street of Processions… . This is the Great Throne Room.” It was amazing to be near the ancient history of our faith.
I was tired and hot; the nature of war kept us very busy. Sometimes that busyness precluded the time I longed for in my own thoughts and reading in the Bible. I would begin to feel distant from my faith in those times, but the reality of Daniel and his trust in God was made more real by this place. It was a needed encouragement.
I recorded stories and prayers for our children and would send them home from time to time. That night I read from Daniel 6:6–28. It is the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. I then described what it looked like today. I want their faith to be as real as Daniel’s.
Father, you are the living God and you endure forever! Your kingdom will never be destroyed. Your dominion will never end. You rescue and save! You are worthy to be praised even when I fear the worst has come upon me.
“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. ‘For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.’” (Daniel 6:26–27)
