Veteran's Day

I'm not sure I've ever really noticed Veteran's Day before. Yes, I remember being in church growing up and seeing all the vets stand up, and I remember getting the day off school when I was younger, but that's all it really was. It didn't mean anything to me. This year, it does.

This year, many of my very close friends are veterans. I saw them go off to Iraq in April of 2008. That summer, I went to my first military funeral. I waited, writing letters and e-mails and sending off care packages for 15 months. I prayed for them, hoping they would all come back and dreading that they wouldn't. In May and June of 2009, I was there to hug them when they got off the bus in Baumholder - and to go to a few more funerals.

Freedom isn't free. We hear it all the time, but I understand that so much more now. I have friends who lost dear friends in Iraq, and I've seen the hurt it causes. I've seen the pictures and heard the stories and seen the videos that they bring back. I've seen the effects of the nightmares, and seen the tears. Freedom isn't free - it costs lives.

Even without paying the ultimate price, every soldier has given up a part of their life for ours. Today is the one day we have set apart to thank them. To let them know that we remember them, and appreciate them.

So, thank you, all you who have served, from the bottom of my heart. God bless.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALS7wRSN0Gw

In Memory

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team based out of Baumholder, Germany, lost it's third soldier in this deployment this week. Sgt. James A. McHale of the 40th Engineers died on July 30th, and his memorial was today.

The ceremony is very formal, and very moving. Both the German and American National Anthems are sung. Up at the front of the Chapel is the fallen soldier's battle cross - a pair of combat boots, a rifle, helmet, and the soldier's dog tags, along with his picture and medals. Army lore indicates the helmet and identification tags signify the fallen soldier; the inverted rifle with bayonet signals a time for prayer and a break in the action to pay tribute to the dead; the combat boots represent the final march of the last battle.

Former comrades and commanders give tribute to the soldier, remembering his life, honoring his sacrifice. After a silent tribute, the 1st Sgt gives the final roll call, probably the most wrenching and awful moment in the memorial. He begins calling out names in the unit, and the men answer, until he gets to the fallen soldier, when there is silence. He calls the name again; still no answer. He calls the name a third time - but the soldier will never be able to answer roll call again. The rifle volleys fire, and taps is played. Afterward, everyone files out in pairs past the battle cross to pay their respects, soldiers saluting their fallen comrade.

Please keep our troops in your prayers. Whether or not you support the war, our men and women are over there fighting and dying for us. They give so much so that we can live the way we do - some, like Sgt. McHale, give their all. Remember their sacrifices. Honor them.

And please, God, keep them safe.