If you are reading this....

This weekend I made my way back up the I-81 corridor in the Shenadoah valley to visit my mother who is making a strong fight with cancer. Mom is one extraordinary woman. She grew up in a very small town in Virginia, not too far from the Shenandoah. I was refreshed by the beauty of spring in the valley as wild redbuds and dogwoods were blooming out everywhere. It seemed right to dial in the local country stations. Country music seems to me to off a slower more deliberate take on real and meaningful life issues.

I must confess, after a few days in the beauty of the Appalachian mountains that I was feeling homesick for my family and the places where I grew up. But listening to those same Country music stations on the way home, I was reminded just how real life is and how important is the service to my fellow airmen and soldiers, especially in this time of war and sacrifice. I heard for the first time, a song by Tim McGraw entitled: "If you are reading this..."

After you read this post, if you haven't heard the song, I'd encourage you to dial into youtube (I'll give you the link) and take a listen.

But if you are reading this:
...have you hugged your kids today or told them how much you love them?
...how long has it been since you slowed down and told you wife/husband how much he or she means to you?
...when was the last time you took a moment just to reflect on the gift of life, the people you share life with, and the wonder of the world around you?
...when was the last time you took a walk, enjoyed the singing of birds, read a good book?
...have you prayed for a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine today and thanked God for the service of those who stand between those who would harm us and our valleys and towns?
...finally, have you prayed for the spouses, children, and parents of those who could have written the words of the song?

Now... if you are finished reading this, the song is here.

Driving to work this morning

Updated: a way cool excerpt from the movie "Luther" where Luther gives his final answer at the Diet of Worms.

I had to yoohoo out loud this morning as I drove to work listening to NPR. First I was surprised that NPR knew about a certain event in history and was more impressed they would comment on it. But in the middle of the story about the Pope's visit to the DC area was a mention that 487 years ago today the monk Martin Luther would be on trial in a German city named Worms (pronounced Verms) for heresy. On the 16th of April of 1521 Luther entered Worms to be tried for his teachings that would lay the stage for the split between what is now known as the Protestant church and the Roman Catholic church. Tomorrow, the 18th of April, some 487 years ago, after being ordered to recant upon pain of death, Luther would refuse to recant his writings critical of the pope and church leadership including the selling of indulgences (a sort of get out of jail free if you pay money card). and refusing to submit to papal authority, he would say, "Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason--I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other--my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe." His address concluded with these words: "Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen." ("Here, I stand. I can do nothing else. God help me. Amen.")

So were laid the seeds of a movement toward religious freedom where a person's right to have Scripture placed in his or her own hand to examine for oneself, and to believe according to their conscience was to gain momentum. In many ways, the seeds of religious freedom that form such a crucial part of American culture and even the military chaplaincy, were laid during these three days when Luther, upon pain of death, was willing to die to remain true to conscience and religiously free. There he stood. One could argue that religious freedom was born or at least re-awakened at Worms.

End of a DC week

The last few days had several crucial junction points for me. I am wrapping up the AFAF campaign for our Wing taking in the final donations and then turning them in over at the Pentagon. I am finally getting a feel for the best time to get over there so that one is not fighting crowds of folks coming in and waiting forever to get through security. I had a couple of my funerals that were very large and involved, but wonderful incredible families.

Friday afternoon there was a historic flyover of the Air Force Memorial and our area by a flight of vintage WWII aircraft. Caught a few quicks pictures, but the haze of pollution was bad that day. Here is a link to a news story about the event on CNN.

I also heard this week about the death of one of our own Airmen from the area in Iraq. My prayers go out to his family and friends. 31 year old TSgt Anthony Capra was an EOD (explosive ordinance division) airman. These airmen are tasked with disposal of ordinance including going out to defuse roadside bombs (IEDs). I didn't know TSgt Capra personally, but he was known to me as I was aware of the ceremony to award him the Bronze Star last year. You can read about him here and here.

Tomorrow, I depart for Atlanta, for training in a new program called "Safetalk". I will return and be responsible for training other airmen in this important tool that helps airmen continue to care for airmen.

Do it a purpose

I discovered this blog from a photographer back home. Makes me feel a little closer to some folks I left behind. Anyway... found this quote from one good ole East Tennessean that I really like.

Find out who you are, and do it on purpose.
--Dolly Parton (b. 1946) country music singer/songwriter

http://appalachiantreks.blogspot.com

Honoring one of the last MIA

Last week our team supported a committal for the last MIA from Colorado. There is a well done story here on the ceremony.

I was outside when the flyover came by. Every ceremony is important and special, but some stand out. One really special part of the story, not in the newspaper, is the chaplain who did the ceremony was the chaplain who served with the deceased when he was shot down. There is a nice write up here about the Major's service as well as another news story on the commital service itself.

Spring has Come to Arlington

The weather has warmed considerably here, and Spring has certainly arrived. The cemetery is awash in color from Cherry Blossoms to the first flowers of the season.

This first picture I call "Law and Gospel". In my faith tradition we have this complimentary dichotomy in our theology. The "law" refers to that in God's Word which shows our shortcomings and sin. The Gospel is that which in God's Word declares God's love and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished in His death and resurrection. The picture at the right expresses the the hope that I have and many of the folks have who I minister to here at Arlington. In the midst of the reality of death (the law) there blooms the hope of life as the cold dead season of winter gives way to the incredible beauty of spring.

As Chaplains, we are surrounded by the reality of death every day here at Arlington. Each person we bury and every family member we minister to is a unique person. There are so many incredible lives that we honor. I've held services for men and women who have served their country in such amazingly difficult and demanding situations and did so with honor and sacrifice, who then went on to lead amazing lives in the civilian world as well. I gain a very unique perspective on our military community here as I am allowed the privilege of one coming to know to some small degree these amazing heroes and as I am allowed to participate in the ceremony that assists the families with bringing closure and come to see in some small degree just how much their loved on meant to them. It is very humbling to serve at Arlington.

But death is the reality. Yet there are so many encouraging stories. So many things to bring a smile to one's face. I rejoice when I see loved one's whose faces light up with hope as I share the promises of God with them. For me, even the cemetery itself cries out hope, as the trees and flowers come to life. Here the dead are honored and remembered, but hope is also flourishing.

There are certain spots in the cemetery that are especially meaningful to me. The spot near the Pentagon where the memorial to the victims of Sept 11th sits and many of the dead are buried, is a place I like to view and meditate upon. It reminds me of one of the key motivators that lead me to put the uniform on again. It reminds me of why victory must be won and freedom must triumph.

And finally, I had to give you one good shot of the famous Cherry Blossoms of the DC area. These are from Fort Meyer, which sits adjacent to the cemetery. It is there that we do most of our grocery shopping, where I get my gas, and go to the gym, most of the time.

The pace has picked up with Spring coming on. Monday I had 6, but my boss took a couple of them from me, so I dropped to 4. Week after next though, I am on temporary duty down to Atlanta for training in "SafeTalk" a new suicide awareness and intervention program. I'll come back as a trainer. The other big program that I've been managing should wrap up this week. It was not bad at all because I had some really great folks working with me and they made this happen.

Have a great spring!