ARMY VALUES: RESPECT
Everywhere we stopped there were merchants trying to sell just about anything to Americans with U.S. dollars. They would strike a bargain and press continuously for an item that may only cost a dollar. Popular items were Iraqi bayonets, helmets, and uniforms from the old regime.
We had landed in Babylon to refuel. The crew shut the bird down and went to grab something to eat while it was being refueled. Several of us decided to go pay a visit to the merchants. There was a literal cardboard city set up near the perimeter of the base. There were rows of makeshift storefronts. Jewelry, games, knives, and medals at every stop. The merchants would literally follow you around offering various items, asking what we were interested in.
There was one merchant that sat with a smile on his face that didn’t act as aggressive. These were usually the merchants that we enjoyed dealing with the best. He had handmade scarves, prayer caps, and other items. I noticed that he wore a patch over his right eye and that he was missing his right hand. I greeted him in Arabic, and a young man with him translated for us. He told me that the man had garments for sale for one dollar each. I asked the young man if I could ask the older gentleman how he received his wounds. He told me that the old man had refused to be a Baathist and that Saddam’s officials had his right eye gouged out and then cut off his right hand. Before that he had been an official in the government.
I bought a scarf and a prayer cap from him. I paid him, placed my right hand over my heart and thanked him for his time and then extended my right hand. He shook it and with a smile on his face replied in kind. I don’t know if his grin was over the sale or the respect I paid him. Respect was something that he had not received from his own country, but would receive from countless of Americans, Polish, and El Salvadoran soldiers that would pass by his booth.
Leaders honor the individual worth of every person with dignity and respect. When this is communicated in action and word it empowers individuals. Respect is core to the military. Whether between teammates, both commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and their men, or with the local population we are trying to serve and protect, it is a vital component and mission enabler.
Dear Lord, with the world at our doorstep, including many who have been oppressed, help us walk in love. Please give us opportunities to show love, concern, and respect to them. Fill us, Holy Spirit, with your comfort, solace, and love.
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 6)
October 25
ARMY VALUES: SELFLESS SERVICE
One of the hardest parts of going to war is preparing to go. It is a private, introspective process that involves the finality of preparing as if you might not return. To share that part of the preparation with your loved ones would cause a great deal of heartache and more emotional burden for them. They have enough of that already. There is something liberating though in taking those steps. You must examine your motives for serving. If you are going reluctantly, in opposition to the overall mission, you do yourself and your team a disservice. You cannot fully commit to or focus on the individual mission if you resent the reasons you are there.
Of all the motivations that is core in the Army’s value system, selfless service is a connection to heritage that binds generations of soldiers. For me, the idea of serving was wrapped up in my family. I was serving for them. I wanted to protect them. This was difficult to communicate with Julie early on. Rational thought would also argue that I would serve my family best by being with them instead of a thousand miles away in war.
Acts of service along with motivation that is not self-serving provide the basis for many good works. When the human heart is motivated to serve others, then teamwork, self-control and discipline are easier to achieve. Faith is central to this. Faith and a belief that God is sovereign allow us the freedom of putting the interests of others above our own, including that of our own personal safety.
Holy Lord, please give us the words or images to express our heart emotions to those we love, especially those serving in the armed forces. May we rest secure in your mighty name and everlasting love.
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” (Song of Solomon 8:6)
October 26
A MOTHER’S PRAYER
Father God, this morning I pray for John and Julie. Julie is struggling so very hard with John’s decision to join the Army National Guard and all that has resulted from that decision. She is grieving his leaving for Iraq and dreading his being away from them for seven months. Please give her strength and hope, peace and grace. Help me be an encouragement to her. Father, I pray for contentment and joy to fill her life. Help us know best how to support her while John is away.
Bless John too, Father. I know his heart is heavy with concern for Julie and with missing her and Caleb and Katie. Thank you for the love they share for each other and for you. Please keep him safe, Father, as he leaves Ft. Bliss this weekend and flies to Kuwait and then on to Iraq. Bless him in every way, every day. Keep him surrounded with your angels who will “guard him in all his ways” (Psalm 91:11). Thank you for your Word that promises: “Because he loves me, says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation’” (Psalm 91:14–16).
Bless John right now, Lord. Lift his spirit. Lift Julie’s spirit. Restore their joy in their relationship. Bless Caleb and Katie. Protect and bless this little family, Lord I pray. Thank you for them. Thank you for being near us all during this time. Thank you for your love and grace and for getting us through difficult times. Thank you for your faithfulness, Father God. Be with all my loved ones this day, I pray.
May we draw ever closer to you, Lord, when separated from those we love. May we cling to your Word, may we walk in your ways, and may we seek your will each step along the way.
