Flag Day

I was invited to offer the invocation at the Air Force Memorial this past weekend for the annual flag day celebration. It was a beautiful cool day with enough of a breeze to make Ole' Glory stretch out her colors. My wife took some photos. May favorite is the one that just happened to catch my daughter celebrating her freedom in her own way.

I also caught this beautiful rose bush in Arlington.





Click the picture on the right to read a quote about why excellence is important in our Air Force.

New Duty Station

I've known my new duty assignment for a few months now - but come August I am heading to OSAN Airbase in South Korea. My family will remain here as I travel there unaccompanied for a one year tour. I wasn't 100% positive I was going to be able to keep these orders as I have been under the weather the past month or so with pancreatitis and then the flu this past weekend on top of it. (My entire family had the flu - none of us had the energy to get out of bed for very long last weekend.) I was so sick Saturday night I would have called an ambulance, but I couldn't get to my cell phone. But toward the end of this week I have started feeling much better.

Now OSAN is coming over the horizon and that right quick. I already have my plane tickets and was pleasantly surprised to find it is only a 14 hour flight. I expected worse. I will fly direct out of Atlanta which is nice not to have to deal with connecting flights oversees.

I'm trying to take some leave around my birthday to get down to see my Mom before I take off, but will have to see how busy we are as one of our chaplains also seeks a week off at that same time and my replacement will only have been here for a week or so, so it would be way too soon to throw him into the formal ceremonies at Arlington solo. I'll have to wait and see.

The above photo is captioned on the original sight with the motto from Osan - ready to fight and win tonight.

D Day

It is 65 years since that fateful day on the coast of France when forces of the United States, Britain, Canada, France and a number of other allies stormed ashore German occupied France to begin the liberation of a continent from the tyranny of the Nazi regime. Some 12,000 airmen were killed in the months prior to D-Day taking our crucial points in preparation for the invasion including securing air supremacy. John Eisenhower, General Eisenhower's son recounts the following conversation with his father:

The roads we traversed were dusty and crowded. Vehicles moved slowly, bumper to bumper. Fresh out of West Point, with all its courses in conventional procedures, l was offended at this jamming up of traffic. It wasn't according to the book. Leaning over Dad's shoulder, l remarked, "You'd never get away with this if you didn't have air supremacy." I received an impatient snort:

"If I didn't have air supremacy, l wouldn't be here."

(http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/AAF-H-DDay/)

Air superiority is crucial to winning a military campaign. Many factors go into play to secure such starting much earlier than the actual battles. First there is the long range planning and technological development that creates the aircraft that gives our airmen the ability to engage the enemy in a decisive way and survive the encounter to come home to their families. Then there are long hours of training for those airmen prior to battle to learn and keep skills sharp. Then there are all the hard work of other airmen providing crucial to the combat pilot.

In my time at Arlington I've buried many World War II veterans, including many veterans of the Normandy campaigns. I've buried a couple of men who stormed the beaches and later found themselves in the Air Force. I've buried some of the pilots who opened the way for the invasion. I even buried a cook this week who prepared the meals for the pilots in those days in 1944. Heroes all. All shining examples of service and commitment to freedom.

May we never forget their service nor their sacrifice.

May we never forget the lessons of that great war.

May we never surrender to nor ignore tyranny.

• President Reagan's two magnificent speeches made on the 40th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. Click here to watch
• read the complete transcripts:here and here
• General Eisenhower's speech to the troops the day before: Click here
• President Roosevelt lead the American people in prayer on the day of the invasion: click here
• powerful speeches by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill: Click here and here
• is a video with D-Day footage and speeches from Reagan and General Patton: here

“Now this hallowed ground receives a new generation of heroes — men and women who gave their lives in places such as Kabul and Kandahar, Baghdad and Ramadi,” he said. “Like those who came before them, they did not want war, but they answered the call when it came. They believed in something larger than themselves. They fought for our country, and our country unites to mourn them as one.”

-- President George W. Bush
Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Day 2007

Observance

One does not "celebrate" Memorial Day. Rather, one observes the day and keeps in heart and mind those who paid the ultimate price for the freedom that we enjoy in the United States. Memorial Day will always hold a more particular meaning for me given my experience of the last few years. I've carried the bodies of young men on their first steps back home. I have buried airmen lost in the current war here at Arlington. All veterans of our many wars to secure our freedom will tell you one thing, freedom does not come on the cheap -- there is always a price to pay to defend our nation against evil and tyranny. I was especially reminded of this as I have had the opportunity to see a couple of times at various events these past weeks, the family of one of those airmen I buried in the past few years. Their young children have grown, but they are still very much young children.

As I head for my next duty station, I will treasure the opportunity to have participated in "flags in" while here in the D.C. area. These past years I've served at Arlington, the chaplain team has gathered and placed the flags on chaplain's hill, a place reserved for military chaplains here at Arlington.

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

- Kelly Strong

Laying a Hero to Rest

Yesterday I had the distinct privilege of escorting the Chief of Chaplain for the Air National Guard and participating in the funeral service for Major General David Baker.

As a Captain and pilot he was shot down during the war in Vietnam over Cambodia and was held with 7 fellow Americans as a POW. It was not an easy time for him. I had the honor to meet several of his fellow POW's in that camp, as they were here for the funeral. After his release, he would later become an F-15E driver and instructor and would participate in the bombing runs of the Iraqi forces as they attempted to regroup in Southern Iraq following their rout from Kuwain during Desert Storm.

You can read more about him in this news story about the funeral here.

I encourage you to view the photo album here of this incredible Air Force Airman and especially read the captions.

Arlington Ladies 60th Celebration

Tuesday saw the culmination of several days of hard work on the part of many, including my wife, to celebrate 60 years of service by a group of Air Force spouses known as the Arlington Ladies. These ladies are present for military honors funerals at Arlington to represent the USAF Chief of Staff.

The day itself included mini concerts by various groups of the USAF band including Max Impact, Airmen of Note, and the Strolling Strings. Then it was on to the USAF Honor Guard for demonstrations from the drill team, the firing party, and a chance to meet with the various elements that work together to conduct a funeral including the Bearer teams and Color Guard. I went along for the tours as I took over the coordination of the event in its last week to tie up the various loose ends and my main job that day was to make sure everything was coming off the way it was supposed to when it was supposed to.

The picture to the right shows the Air Force drill team formed up and about ready to kick off their spinning routines. I was talking to one of the Officers in the Honor Guard and asked him if it was as dangerous as it looks and he said yes, the make frequent trips to the ER to have lacerations sown up and that most of these young men carry scars on them from the bayonets. But this day, they didn't miss a lick.

Then it was back to the Chapel center for the luncheon festivities. My wife oversaw the orchestration of the meal for over 150 people with the Cinco De Mayo theme. I can tell you when we went shopping over the weekend we left the commissary with four carts of full of food - and she was just preparing the mains. We had incredible volunteers from Honor Guard, Band, and command element of the Operations Group that provided the sides and desserts. Debbie spent all day Monday cooking with some Honor Guard volunteers who together formed the kitchen crew. Their picture is to the right.

I took a selection of pictures I had taken, that have been provided to me by friends, and some found off the internet and created a video tribute to a song "Arlington Ladies" that was provided to us through one of the ladies. I also had the privilege of narrating the day's events.

During the Commander's comments at the end of the luncheon he had her come out and she was coined for "excellence" by the Commander and presented with a card of appreciation and a flowering plant. This was a special day for us as my wife truly enjoys opportunities to be part of the team and the ladies we honored are truly a special bunch.

Springing Up

It has been a busy spring. I had a week of leave during which my family and I visited East Tennessee. Early in the week we hiked part of the Appalachian trail on Roan Mountain making our way through four foot snow drifts. The next day we were in almost 80 degree weather at Dollywood for the festival of nations.

I love going down to Dollywood. These is a centering aspect to the experience, visiting places were old fashioned home town values and religion are still central to people's experiences of life, unlike so many other place I frequent these days. I was blessed to be reminded too, that while where I am faith in Jesus is considered quaint and out of date, that for much of the world the Gospel is still very much alive. There was a group of vocalists from an african nation that in the midst of doing their traditional vocal chants suddenly broke out into very traditional gospel songs - common ground between the simple folk of Tennessee and the surrounding area visiting the park and these wonderful simple people of faith from a land far away. God is good - all the time!

Last week I had a church conference at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The topic of the day concerned the intersection of Just War Theory and pastoral care as well as Constitutional Law and the military chaplaincy. I learned a great deal on both fronts and will say that following a straight forward and clear exposition from a strong legal standpoint on the latter topic that I am much reassured about the future outcome of legal efforts to oppose or even disband the chaplaincy. I even had the blessing of doing my PT run on the beach with the seagulls - had the beach pretty much to myself that afternoon.




Coming home spring has come full bore. All our flowers are in bloom, as well as my neighbors Tulips. I am quite blessed to have a neighbor with such a green thumb.

My funeral schedule is robust and I am starting to complete items for my upcoming move out of the country to my next duty station.

Yesterday our team made history for the Air Force at Arlington. We had our first full honors ceremony for an enlisted member of the Air Force. TSgt Phillip Meyers was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan on the 4th of April. It was incredible to see the huge turn out from Congressmen, to flag officers of several services, to cabinet secretaries, all the works - it was heartening to see so many seek to bring what comfort can be brought to the grieving family. May God bless them today and always.

I've done three active duty services, all from Iraq. Each one was very special to me as I have tread some of the same sand. But each one is unique though the cost is the same - the ultimate price for our nation and for freedom. I go back to those graves from time to time to offer a small prayer that God keep their families in His keeping.


Now that warmer weather is here, (it was hot today) I've been getting up at 5 am and walking or running in our nearby park, what is becoming a time of great refreshment for me. The park is filled with wildlife including a nesting park of some kind of hawk, a nesting pair of Mallards, innumerable turtles, and bunches of wood peckers. For city living - it ain't bad.

Life Renews

It may seem strange for a cemetery, but as spring advances the entire grounds echo with life. The grounds are full of color, the flurry of wildlife, and beauty of deep rain cleared skies. Here are a few of several hundred photos I've taken in the past few weeks. I've decided to share some photos of the columbarium and our primary chapel as I haven't shown much of these here.

Fort Meyer has two chapels. We primarily use the older historic one for our chapel services, as it has a nice parking lot and is in close proximity to the back gate into the cemetery. It is very traditional inside with stained glass windows reflecting many aspects of honorable military service.




One day last week we had huge downpours in the morning that began to clear by early afternoon giving way to huge billowing clouds in a pristine blue sky.



On my way home out of the cemetery I happened by one of the army's caisson teams making their way from a late afternoon ceremony.


This black and white picture reminds me that sixty years ago, when burials of active duty casualties from WWII were conducted, the scene would not have looked that much different.

Here we make our way into one of the columbariums. I had several ceremonies here this week. For military members the ceremony starts under a covered portico where honors are rendered and concludes back in the niche area. For dependents, we do the entire ceremony back at the niche.

































Inside the admin building, where families gather prior to ceremonies, there are two large planters that flank the marble steps going downstairs. The contents change according the season of the year. Now they are filled with Easter Lillies, a silent bright reminder with their trumpet shaped blossoms that the trumpets that ring over the fields of Arlington are not the last trumpets of those we bury, but that a final trumpet will ring that belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ and in Him all will be summoned from the grave on that final last day.



Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't share a close in shot of one of the beautiful cherry blossoms that fill the DC area.

Spring!

I've been watching ole' man willow for some weeks now. Last week he started putting on some green, the first sign of spring coming. Today the daffodils are up, the dogwoods and cherry blossoms are in full bloom, in general an all around beautiful spring day. By afternoon the sun was out and it was warming up. A wonderful day to be doing ceremonies in the cemetery.

I had two funerals today. My first was a full honors ceremony with a fly over by 1st Heli out of Andrews. I always enjoy hearing their birds come over as they practice their runs up and down the Potomac. Today was the first time I've had them do a flyover for a ceremony. This ceremony was also quite special not only because of the noble character of the individual we were honoring but because of the privilege of doing the ceremony with our Air Force Chief of Staff.

This afternoon was a much smaller ceremony but no less important, as a daughter and her children laid to rest a beloved mother and grandmother.

My time at Arlington has taught me and reminded me of many things: service, valor, honor, sacrifice, memory -- but not least among the things I've learned is that at the end of the day, when labor is done and recognition is past, ribbons and medals have faded, and time calls for us to journey onward -- that which is greatest the testimony of all is the love that shines in the eyes and remains in the hearts of our family and friends.

I will miss Arlington and the incredible privilege it is to serve these heroes and their families of our great nation when it comes time to move on.

I will be moving on. Soon. I am in my last months here. New challenges and new places of service await, but who I am will always be shaped in part by my last two years here.

Humble Ground

Thursday saw me driving through the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania toward Pittsburgh to attend a conference on utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

It was a rainy day off an on with fog winding its way through both valleys and tree tops along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I took an intended detour toward Shanksville, where I visited the site of flight 93's crash that fateful day on 11 September. It is a quite rural place. The last leg of the journey travels an unassuming gravel road past a rather large eyesore of a salvage yard to crest a hill where one looks down upon a humble temporary memorial. From the hill top one can gaze 360 degrees around at the golden fields and surrounding tree lines.

There were two volunteers there, but no one else. I had the site to myself with the rain and the cold wind. The crash site itself is located in a field some three hundred yards distant, marked by a lone American flag.

Perhaps it was the cold or the wind driven rain, but nothing visible generated a sense of awe or wonderment. Nonetheless, awe was there. What is rather humble ground is wrapped in meaning -- the meaning of story, the meaning of memory. Here a plane crashed that was meant for somewhere in the capitol of our nation, a target located but a few miles from my home and from where I work. Ordinary Americans took back that plane and surrendered their lives to save others. Ordinary Americans achieved the first victory in the war on terror, a great cost, but it was a total victory. This particular band of terrorists was thwarted. It was worth a moment to stop, reflect, and pray - a prayer of thanksgiving for Americans such as these and a prayer for their families and friends. A time to remember why this war must be won for the cost of failure is far too high.

I made my way into Pittsburg which quickly became quite a contrast to the beauty and serenity of the Penn countryside and the charming small towns. I found my hotel even though my GPS kept telling me I was somewhere else. I suspect the overwhelming jungle of metal was interfering with its signal. It has been awhile since I've stayed in a convention focused hotel so should not have been surprised by $3.50 for a diet coke. That turned out to be good for me, as I drank more water than I normally do. The seminar itself was one of the best seminars I have attended. It accomplished its goal without being too much or too little. It was more than worth the time and effort.

My return trip was enjoyable as well. The rain had lifted and the sun was shining in a cloud filled with fluffy cumulus clouds. The views as the roadway rises and descends through these upper Apalachian mountains was soul refreshing. That and traffic was fairly light without a sign of an infernal political bumper sticker on every car in sight (of course that changed once I came within range of the DC beltway).

Honor

Today is Medal of Honor Day.

The Medal of Honor is our nation's highest military award. Arlington National Cemetery is home to over 300 of these award winners.

SPC McGinnis is found in the infamous section 60 of Arlington. A fellow Lutheran and brother in Christ, he gave his life for the lives of his brothers in arms.

I make it my habit if I am anywhere near his grave in section 60 for ceremonies or otherwise, to detour to his grave and render a salute.

Likewise, if I am near to SFC Smith's grave, I will stop and render a salute. These two gravesites and the gravesites of those active duty casualties in the war on terror are the most special of ground to me personally at Arlington. I have buried veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam and some serving in more than one of these wars. I guess when my time comes, my war will have been the War on Terror. I pray that once it is finally won, it will be my last one.

there is...
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

NIV Ecclesiastes 3:8

_________________________________________

Private First Class Ross McGinnis

a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Knox Pennsylvania

Our Bible tells us that God gave up his only son to die for us so that we may live. But Romayne and I are not gods. We can't see the future, and we didn't give our son to die, knowing that he will live again. We gave him to fight and win and come home to us and marry and grow old and have children and grandchildren. But die he did, and his mother, dad and sisters must face that fact and go on without him, believing that someday we will meet again. Heaven is beyond our imagination and so we must wait to see what it's like. -- his parents
(from Arlington Cemetery.net)

MACRO & MICRO

between emptiness and meaning
between despair and hope
between surrender and faith
____________________________

This was a week of contrasts. One starts a week orientated toward expectations, as one readies for a storm observed flowing in from the west. Monday was a beautiful day which saw me doing a long run early in the morning in the pre-spring coolness. I was looking forward to a number of morning and evening runs in what was shaping up to be a spring like week, but was not to be as a particular "nasty critter" (my doc's words, not mine) decided to a make a home in my innards.

This week I had the opportunity, indeed a most rare privilege for a chaplain of my position, of sitting in and providing logistical assistance for the COCOM Chaplain's conference this week. COCOM is military jargon for combatant commanders. Their senior chaplains conclaved this week. I had the opportunity to hear their discussions and the briefings from the various flag officers and our Chief of Chaplains to them concerning today and the expected future.

I have spent many weeks, months even, in formal military education since coming on active duty. I believe the last few days was the most horizon expanding learning I have received of them all. Of course having all that previous education, and SOS just recently which explores all the various interchanges of military organization, prepared me to make sense of all that was put forward. But wow. Comprehension blooming to some degree of the macro scale of military chaplaincy throughout the world, today and tomorrow.

Leaving the Pentagon in the afternoon of the final day, it was nice, warm and sunny. Walking tends to relieve the symptoms of my particular nasty uninvited guest to whom I am playing host, so I walked back to my vehicle parked at my designated spot at Arlington. With thoughts of grand strategy still echoing through my head regarding chaplaincy in the face of grand national strategy, I happened upon one particular grave in the infamous section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. Perhaps it was the bright contrast of reds and yellows against the pure white marble, that drew my eye, but looking downward my attention was captured by a short line of script on a weathered card attached to still bright flowers.

"Happy Birthday honey. We miss you."

Encasing my new macro orientation was this reminder: this is what a chaplain's ministry is about.

As the soldier stands in the breech between murder and peace; mayhem and security, so a chaplain stands in the gap between emptiness and meaning; between despair and hope; between surrender and faith.