[…]have a chaplain who is not of a Christian faith group, and you have no warrant to complain if that is the case. But whether the chaplain is Christian or not, he or she should still meet the expectations listed above, and of course must provide you with Christian worship leaders and space for worship. You should not be surprised if your chaplains, even though devout Christians, are interested in caring for non-Christians and atheists. You should not deter them from assisting non-Christian groups to secure worship leaders and worship space. These chaplains are doing what the U.S. government has […]
[…]was a hot night in the small room of that Italian house where several of us sat writing letters by the light of a single candle. We had a hard day’s battle to take that town, and were very glad to find in one of the buildings a room that could be blacked out enough to allow us to light a candle and catch up on our long overdue letters to home. Two of the men were new to combat and they were especially eager to write their reactions to the thick of the fight — their first combat experience. […]
[…]exchanged for bubble baths and storybooks, we all got together and prayed for us and for Daddy. And then each of the girls would kiss goodnight the picture of their uniformed dad. So many nights I fell exhausted into bed. Sometimes I cried myself to sleep for want of a partner to help me raise these little ones. I refused to entertain the thought of his not coming back. There was always that chance, but I prayed for the strength for each day, and each day brought enough to be concerned about. I did get discouraged with the voices that […]
[…]ranks. To students of military history, the weapon most closely associated with the Marine Corps is the kabar. “Kabar”is the familiar name of a knife which accompanied Marines around the globe during the Second World War. Its muscular build and vicious blade elicit images of fierce hand-to-hand combat. My father served nearly three decades in the Marine Corps, enlisting in 1946 at the age of seventeen. He stood in awe of the veterans he met who were well acquainted with the kabar. In time he possessed his own, and it accompanied him to subsequent wars. Since his retirement, he gave […]
[…]their victims. Recall Goliath, or Hitler, or Saddam, or the devil himself. The Christian warrior is the “man of the in-between.” With mind and heart committed to righteous principle, he offers himself to shield others. The image is thoroughly biblical. When the Philistines occupied the south ridge of the Valley of Elah, and the Israeli army the opposite ridge, each day the giant of Gath descended to the valley floor between and taunted the champion of Israel. Saul, head and shoulders above his people, had no heart for the in-between. But Jesse’s kid did. To David, it was a straightforward […]
[…]training battalion-the kind with 500 to 600 privates getting their first high-and-tight haircuts, and their introduction to the Army, sixty drill sergeants to give them that introduction, and a handful of officers and NCOs to support them. When I introduced myself to the drill sergeants, I included with my hobbies, family, and interests the fact that I am a Christian. I said I wanted them to know what shapes my values and behavior. I told them that, although I prayed that each of them would be a Christian because I believed that would be the best thing for them, that […]
[…]rank, but to serve your nation and lead and serve your soldiers. Knowing that we are called to this by our Lord frees us from the unreachable drive for personal success, to follow instead the call and example of our Lord’s in true service. “Jesus is Lord” will be a source of great strength and guidance in combat. Knowing that Jesus is Lord in your life will give you confidence to handle the weight of combat command and the courage to face death. This does not mean that you may not be killed. Jesus was Lord as much in my […]
