Questions

I was asked several profound questions today. First, I spent some time working with some JROTC cadets at a local school as I had a bit of open time this morning. One very bright young lady approached and after asking how dangerous serving in the military truly was, asked this question, "why is there a big war any way?"

Wow. She is probably about 13 or 14 which means she was probably five or six when Sept 11th happened. I started talking to her and the kids with her. They were for the most part not aware in any way of the cultural differences between the western world or the middle east, did not comprehend the nature and size of the threat presented by Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations nor did they really seem to have given much thought to the fact that the United States is only part of a much larger wider world. But... they were starting to be aware of greater realities, and perhaps of the great challenges facing their generation as the world continues to shrink due to globalization and other factors.

A bit later, as I was working through various medical channels to begin to clear my path for my change of duty station that is coming later this summer, I had the opportunity to speak with an airman as I was an hour or so early for an appointment. He asked me a poignant question during the context of my encouraging him to pursue his college degree and dream to be a doctor. He asked, "how can I made sense of medicine which is supposed to be about saving lives, but I may be ordered to take the life of an unborn child or use a treatment created from an unborn child --I just can't see an embryo as so many body parts?" Wow. More deep thinking by a young man in a generation that is wrestling with huge questions brought about by capabilities from our increasing technological prowess. Then he asked me a profound question, "Chaplain, if you or someone you loved were sick, would you use a treatment that required me to harvest an unborn child from someone?"

If he doesn't make a doctor, he'd make a great philosopher -- or minister. The beginning of wisdom is the asking of questions, for beliefs come easy, but truth -- that is most difficult of all - but also the most easy, for truth is what is.

All this in light of a question I've been pondering for the last week after learning that only 4% or so of the current generation sees value in going to church and reading story after story following a a study that the number of folks who find value in religion is shrinking. That question is how can I as a person of faith and how can the Christian community share the value of religious insight in a way that is respectful and will gain a hearing, that can help people not only value our Creator and Redeemer but also find value in each and every other person.

I feel like Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings as he stands in the cozy abode of his friend Bilbo's home looking off into the distance, but in truth looking into the accumulated wisdom of his life and mumbles to himself, "riddles in the dark".

In some ways I believe our nation is like these young people, one a bit younger than the other. Waking up to the greater possibilities and challenges to life in this world. And as the young airman, wrestling with question of what kind of person (or in the case of a nation: people) shall I/we be. These are all questions about belief. Even the decision to not believe in God for instance is a decision about belief. Belief systems. Whether I listen to commentary on NPR, Fox News, MSNBC (which I avoid because being a philosophy major the plethora of logical fallacies gives me heartburn in most cases depending on the commentator), CNN, or read the major news papers or even just scan comments posted by people on controversial topics, one thing jumps out at me. Competing belief systems. Name calling, labeling, all the tricks and trade of amateur and professional rhetoricians come into play in a great battle of competing belief systems. But common to most of the arguments I read, even the ones that most fit my own belief system, is a lack of humility, a lack of openess to being wrong, and even a lack of willingness to take a stand at personal cost when one is right.

It is not going to be an easy world for our young people to live in. They have substantial questions to answer, substantial challenges, probably many yet anticipated, to face and resolve. And perhaps the greatest question of all in the face of merging cultures, ideas, and increasing technological power over our environment and our own physical bodies - what sort of people shall we be. What will it mean to be "human"? Will we surrender the view that we are special, created in God's image, with each individual having value and potential upon which our nation was built for some Darwinesk battle for survival of the fittest with the weak and defenseless utilized as a resource for those who are stronger?

Our race does not have the best of track records when it comes to respecting and fostering human values consistently over the long hall. Our history if full of war and conquest, rape, and slavery.

In many ways the questions that face human beings today because of the possibilties brought about by technology in the areas of global engineering and even human bioengineering are similar to the questions our nation faced 100 years ago - and even continued to face in the struggle for civil rights - do we believe "all people are created equal" or are some to be considered as tools, raw material, resources for use by the strong.

Will we follow the way of Jesus or Nietsche or some course leaning one way or the other?

But no matter the course, in the end, for every individual person our destination is the same. As seen in the shrouded markers of Arlington above, we came from dust and to dust we shall return. Humility and perhaps gratefulness mixed with grace and kindness is the order for the day.

Smoke, Fire, Freedom, Memory

Boom. The dread smell of gunpowder filled the air just west of Washington DC this past Sunday afternoon as men and boys lined up and took fire at one another.

Authentic re-enactors fought a mock battle at a Civil War fort here, but simulated a battle from the Revolutionary War to mark the birthdays of President Washington and President Lincoln. With some imagination one could feel as if he were observing a small skirmish in this long war from long ago that established our nation and in many ways changed the course of the world.

As I took this last photo, I thought to myself how opponents of liberty have always been willing to kill in the name of tyranny and how patriots have always been willing to fight and even die if necessary for freedom.

p.s. Don't let the "redcoat" fool you. This young man was a drummer for the American side.

Escort Duty

I had the distinct pleasure of providing support for this year's Senior Statesman Symposium once again. Held at Bolling Air Force base, this symposium gathers the retired 4-star officers of the Air Force together. As I looked across the conference room, I could not help but reflect upon the magnitude of the gathered wisdom and heritage therein. These were the men who shaped the Air Force as we have it today. Most of them are still quite active in service and leadership to our nation and a plethora of roles. I was asked why it was that I volunteered to serve once again and the answer was easy. It is a rare opportunity to have an opportunity to interact with these leaders, not one to be passed up.

Bolling sits on the Potomac River. Looking north, one can see into our capitol itself, and across the river is Reagan National Airport. I took the picture to the right last fall standing on the bank of the Potomac.

It will be a cold day in...Alexandria

16 degrees. That's what my thermostat said tonight as I finished up my run this evening. Needed to be rid of some stress.

It was brisk this morning too for my funeral ceremony. But I've found that with the right type and number of layers underneath, the ceremonial uniform does just fine in the cold weather. It was bright, crisp, and quiet - a beautiful morning for a ceremony.

I've been reading the news this evening with interest. Some things that don't really surprise me and one that did. The economic news and the housing bust, I've been anticipating for several years, a key reason I didn't purchase a house when coming to DC. So, news about the negotiations regarding the economic stimulus didn't surprise me. I learned deployment history to be removed from promotion briefs.

And I learned that the charges were dropped against USS Cole bombing suspect.

________________________________________

Killed in the Attack on the USS Cole

Chief Petty Officer Richard Costelow, Morrisville, Pennsylvania.
Signalman Seaman Recruit Cheron Luis Gunn, Rex, Georgia.
Seaman James Rodrick McDaniels, Norfolk, Virginia.
Seaman Recruit Lakiba Nicole Palmer, San Diego, California.
Operations Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Lamont Saunders, Ringgold, Virginia.
Ensign Andrew Triplett, Macon, Mississippi.
Seaman Apprentice Craig Bryan Wibberley, Williamsport, Maryland.
Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class, Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, Mechanicsville, Virginia.
Mess Management Specialist Seaman Lakeina Monique Francis, Woodleaf, North Carolina.
Information Systems Technician Seaman Timothy Lee Gauna, Rice, Texas
Engineman 2nd Class Mark Ian Nieto, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Electronics Warfare Technician 3rd Class Ronald Scott Owens, Vero Beach, Florida.
Engineman Fireman Joshua Langdon Parlett, Churchville, Maryland.
Fireman Apprentice Patrick Howard Roy, Cornwall on Hudson, New York.
Electronics Warfare Technician 2nd Class Kevin Shawn Rux, Portland, North Dakota.
Mess Management Specialist 3rd Class Ronchester Mananga Santiago, Kingsville, Texas
Fireman Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr., Rockport, Texas

_______________________________________________

Picture from www.arlingtoncemetery.net

I am quite sure history will record in great detail our triumphs in battle, but I regret that no one will ever be able to write a full account of the wars we never fought, the losses we never suffered, the tears we never shed, because men and women like those who were on the USS Cole were standing guard for peace. We should never ever forget that....

....To those who attacked them we say: You will not find a safe harbor. We will find you and justice will prevail.

--President Bill Clinton, USS Cole Memorial Service

Great News!!!!!

Great news. I just read a number of stories celebrate the elections in Iraq. It truly is something to celebrate to start reading headlines like this. It has been a long and in many ways difficult road for our nation and for the people of Iraq, but these stories indicate to me that we have turned the corner. It truly is amazing what we have accomplished in eight years since the attack on our nation on 9/11. I am thankful to have played some small role in this incredible moment in history.

I have heard the United States described as the greatest experiment in the recorded history of humanity, a grand experiment in democracy. Our own nation had many struggles forming a stable government following the Revolutionary War. Our first attempts met with failure in the Articles of Confederation. It took many years before we came together as a people centered around the Constitution. And it has taken 233 since our declaration of independence for the first African American to be elected president of our nation. 200+ years to get where we are. And countless lives. We saw major conflicts with major powers who tried to use military force to maintain their influence in this hemisphere from the war in 1812 with the British, our war with Spain and so forth. We fought our own internal cultural and political battles with a bloody and costly civil war. I walk the grounds where some of the first casualties were laid at Arlington as my duty station. We fought in and played an essential role in the world wide defense of liberty in two world wars.

On D-Day June 6, 1944 the allies landed 156,000 troops (50% of the number used in Iraq right now, landing in one small space in one short day). 11,590 aircraft provided support. (Interesting to know in light of the number of air craft the Air Force operates today and the number of aircraft we are requesting to continue to provide security.) In five days, 326,547 troops would land in France (about the same number as are in Iraq), and France was only one part of the entire war. Allied casualties for D-Day (one single day) are estimated to be somewhat over 10,000. In addition, in April and May 1944 in operations to prepare for the invasion the Allied Air Forces of the day lost 12,000 men and 2,000 aircraft.

Why the history? Just a bit of contextualization for what has been done in Iraq, to reflect upon what has been accomplished. I am proud to be a member of our Armed Forces and very proud of the work that these men and women, most of whom are much younger than I, have done. I believe that 2007-2008 will go down as a significant turning point in the history of our world. Our own nation has struggled for 200+ years to create a true society of justice and liberty. Now democracy and liberty is taking root among a people long under the thumb of tyranny, so long that for time remembered submission was bred into them. But a people are waking to justice and to freedom.

It would be amazing to be able to read our history books in 50 years. But I can anticipate a bit of what they may sound like, when I think of how our history books read now about World War II. There are many parallels. When the Japanese, a martial militant culture at that time, attacked us by surprise and dealt us a grievous blow, our nation was struggling with a huge economic burden with the great depression still lingering. Freedom and democracy was directly threatened by those who would enslave and dehumanize people. The world stood at a brink, as it has done before, as it will likely do again, and as I believe does now. Freedom loving people rose, committed, went forth, and did what had to be done that liberty would prevail.

Imagine what our history books would read today if we as a nation then had said, our economy cannot support this war, it is not our fight, we can engage in some reduced action to secure our own nation behind our oceans. I wonder what our world would have looked like had FDR not said "today is a day that live in infamy" but had said: "in light our current economic conditions, we do not believe there is a military solution to this challenge, but the way forward is through negotiation for we do not have the money or the time and we would loose". But FDR did not say such. FDR said this:

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

And a generation rose, commited to liberty and service -- and changed the world. I believe history will read in 50 years about this struggle in many parallel ways.

These two stories tell the tell.

In Iraq, free elections went peacefully

Iraqi polls turnout was 51 per cent

And the phrase "war on terror" is being phased out. I think this story misses another point that could be playing a key role. We are winning. The terrorists are loosing. Insurgencies are notorious throughout the time of recorded history for being long and the most difficult types of conflict to win. But our young men and women in uniform, a military of volunteers and professionals, are winning. I am humbled and thankful to have the privilege of wearing the uniform with them, for adding some small part to support them in what they do, for having some small role in what was accomplished. When I stood and looked into the streets of Kirkuk several years ago, I could see changes already. Construction, commerce, children walking the street playing, families celebrating key life moments. I saw challenges. We had some attacks. But it was heartening when quite often the Iraqi's themselves took custody of the terrorists hiding in their midst. Liberty and justice cannot be contained.

In addition, a huge point of celebration, the stories indicate that the Iraqi's were responsible for their own security. Huge gains in security and capabilities have been made in the last few years thanks to all those who left home to serve in Iraq. The surge worked. Again, I'm not surprised. The Iraqi people are a noble people and our service men and women get the job done whether it be liberate Europe or liberate Iraq. Tyranny cannot stand when freedom, justice, service and unwavering resolve are united. The key word in our nation's monicker is not states, but "United".

The truth of the matter is this. People are people, each of us: black, brown, white no matter. Male female. We are every single one of us created in the image of God. People are people. People deserve to live in justice and in freedom. Responsibility to one another certainly. Individual liberty tempered with reasonable law administered with justice certainly. But free. The Iraqi's and other people I came to know who worked there from other lands, all wanted much the same as myself. To live my life without fear, to worship God, to provide for the needs of my family, and when life calls me onward to lay down with honor and be able to say my life was lived well. People are people. God bless them. I am thankful.

Sloshy Winter Day

It was a beautiful day. Early on, the sun was out gleaming on the snow at Arlington. The snow had turned to solid sheets of ice shrouding everything, making marching a bit treacherous early on. It warmed up as the day moved on creating huge pits of mud that had to be navigated around. I felt for one of our body bearers (casket team) who stepped ankle deep into the mud and lost a shoe on approach to a grave. But minus the mud, it was a gorgeous day here.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Snowy Winter Day

Cold. Ice. Snow. What a change from a few days before.

I found that my normal drive to work of 20 minutes took 90 minutes. People in DC do not know how to drive in snow. My favorite observation was of the lady driving along about 5 miles an hour on a cleared road while talking on her cell phone.

But the world changed completely upon entering the gate at Arlington. The hectic frustrating DC traffic gave way to the quiet solemnity of Arlington. The Air Force Memorial rose majestically through the snow fogged air, standing watch over sleeping warriors shrouded in the snow.


Resting under its blanket of snow, Arlington was a place for quiet meditation - honor - memory.





Rising over the silent resting place of so many who sacrificed so much for our nation - the steeple of a chapel - proclaiming the hope that many take comfort in

THESE ARE THE ONES COMING
OUT OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION.
THEY HAVE WASHED THEIR ROBES AND
MADE THEM WHITE
IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB.
--REV 7:14

But my brothers in arms do not slumber. Through this solemn air, marched a band of navy brothers, bearing a fellow sailor on his last journey, to wish him fair winds and following seas and commend him into the hands of the mighty God who created him, to bear up a family and honor a life of service.





Below, in the blowing snow stood an army band of brothers, frozen in tribute to honor a fallen comrad, to honor military service, to care for family, to inscribe another faithful veteran into our nation's memory.

A solemn day - as are all the days at Arlington.







Standing watch over those who sleep, a memorial gate upon which are inscribed these words

REST ON EMBALMED AND SAINTED DEAD, DEAR AS THE BLOOD YE GAVE,
NO IMPIOUS FOOTSTEPS HERE SHALL TREAD ON THE HERBAGE OF YOUR GRAVE.

Indeed.

Sunny Winter Days

There is beauty in the world all around us, even in the midst of a cold day. One only has to know where to look for it.


This is from the walking park a few days ago when the lows were down in the upper teens.






Today, a quiet sunny afternoon at the amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, were the tomb of the unknown soldier lies.

This is the chapel at Fort Meyer that we use for most of our chapel services in connection with Arlington.

The angel of January teaches us to look within, to take stock of ourselves and our lives.

The January angel keeps us company as we ponder over those long, cold winter nights, helping us to be honest with ourselves and to be patient at the same time. Conveying the wisdom of an elder, the January angel takes our hand as we seek to glean understanding from our lessons from the past year. With support such as this, we can give ourselves both recognition and admonition in their turn. With this help, we are able to chart a new course or alter our present one.

We seek and receive the companionship of the angel of January to warm us through the winter of our introspection.

--Unknown

The Big 3

Today, 22 January, on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, I am thinking of another key date in American history: July 4, 1776. On this day was adopted the United States Declaration of Independence with this key statement.

We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,
that among these are
life,
liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness.

These words are thought to have been strongly influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights which was adopted June 12, 1776 which itself stated:

That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

I hope to someday see American society become a place where these rights are truly enjoyed by all and to their fullest regardless of gender, race, or age for all our people -- including those who are yet in the womb. May God bless our nation with a deep appreciation that happiness flows from liberty, and liberty flourishes where the value of life is paramount.

Thank you President Bush

As I listened to the words of my former Commander in Chief upon his arrival in Midland yesterday, I was moved by his words, but especially by the following. Once again I would like to say thank you to our 43rd President. It was an honor to have some small role in these events during the last four years of my military service.

___________________________

And after our nation was attacked on September 11, 2001, a day that changed me forever, we took the fight to the terrorists around the world. We removed threatening regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, and liberated 50 million people from the clutches of terrorism.

We worked to extend freedom and human liberty as the alternatives to tyranny and terror. No matter whether or not you agree with my decisions or not, one thing you have to agree with is that we have not been attacked in the last seven years.

This is a tribute to all who toil day and night to keep us safe, especially the men and women who wear our nation's uniform.

I can't tell you how great it has been to stand before our troops an meet their families, or to go to Walter Reed and have a soldier look you in the face and say "Mr. President, I would do it all over again. Let me get healed so I can go back and defend the United States of America."

There is nothing I will miss more than being the commander in chief of such an unbelievable group of men and women.

--George W. Bush 20 January 2009 Midland Texas

_________________________________

I'm not the only one who wanted to say thank you. This is a description of his send off at Andrews by my fellow airmen. You can read the full story here.

The crowd roared as the former president and vice president made their dramatic entrance into the hangar. The rousing sounds of the "Air Force One" movie theme rung out as the huge hangar slowly opened, revealing the huge blue-and-white presidential aircraft glistening in the sunlight.

Inauguration Day

Today, we bid farewell to President Bush, a man I am thankful for the privilege of having as my Commander in Chief. It has been a true honor to present flags on his behalf at Arlington to the families of veterans recognizing their faithful service for our nation during WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and our current conflict. In part, I believe my decision to rejoin the military was seeded when I saw his strong compassionate response and his resolve to defend our nation on 9/11.

A little insider's info regarding the inauguration. I just watched the motorcade make its way from the White House through the capitol with the streets lined by men and women who serve in uniform, wearing their service best in what now 22 degree weather. They were there all last night, as their report times depending on the branch of service from 2am to 3am. Hats that don't keep out the cold. Gloves designed for appearance more than effect. These young men and women are cold, but they won't show it. They won't flinch or move. They render honor. They are true professionals in every form. A year from now they may be wearing a different uniform and be standing on a mountain in Afghanistan or in a town in Iraq defending the security of our nation - and they won't flinch. They are true professionals. It is honor to serve among them. I thank God for the leadership of President Bush, as a new leadership team assumes its place, I pray that God grant them wisdom to know the right course and the courage to pursue it that our nation and or world may know peace and prosperity.

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas
...
When out over the lawn there arose such a clatter

While you and I enjoyed Christmas Eve, these airmen were flying through the skies to provide cover for our forces defending life and liberty on the ground.

Air Power on December 24th

104

What is 104?

The number of presents I (we) received? The amount of money we spent? The number of dinner guests we had? The combined number of pounds we all gained? Nope... none of the above.

Try my wife's temperature. My entire family is sick. My spouse is camped out in bed with the stomach flu. My youngest daughter has occupied the downstairs couch and has strep throat and pink eye (that was 2 trips to the ER, one on Christmas Eve and the other today). My oldest is floating around but still recovering from walking pneumonia.

I am thankful that it didn't all kick in until after we made candlelight services last night. We visited the local congregation in Alexandria last night, which has turned out to be the highlight of the Christmas holiday for us. This is the first time I've fed my kids McDonalds on Christmas and partaken myself of a protein bar. I looked at the ingredients in the fridge, but didn't have a clue how my wife was planning to assemble them, and didn't have a great deal of confidence in my ability to follow up on her plan anyway...so I'm thankful McD's was open until 2pm today.

The biggest impact for us is likely that our trip to Tennessee to visit my mother and then to Dollywood is likely off. We'll see how the weekend progresses.