God, please be with them, I pray.

This is an entry from my journal while I was deployed to the Middle East after September 11th.

08 December 2001

...Almost two weeks ago I was able to go on a mission to Germany.  We had the honor of transporting the Army Special Forces that were injured during the prison riot in Afghanistan.  There were five men and they were hit by a bomb dropped from one of our planes.  They were so blessed to be alive, considering many Afghans were vaporized just a little further away.  Our guys happened to be behind a wall of some kind.  The CCATT (Critical Air Transport Team) patient was Capt. ******* (name withheld).  His injuries included a fractured pelvis, bursted TM's, shrapnel wounds, burns to his head and face, and his spine was fractured...All the guys were really great and it made me proud to be able to serve them.  A touching moment for me was when we were getting (our patient) off the plane and onto the rig in Landstuhl.  It was raining and cold. As I was trying to bundle him up for the transport off of the aircraft, (he) grabbed my hand and looked me into my eyes and thanked me for taking such good care of him...

This entry reminds me of the pride I felt serving our country and our fellow troops.  This patient made it home safely to his family, along with many others.  However, there were the ones we had to send home in flag-draped coffins.  Whenever we got news of lost lives, there was a heavy darkness that hung over our camp.  We were all the same.  We all had families.  We all loved our country.  We all wanted to make it home...

This Memorial Day, I will be breathing prayers for all the mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children, and siblings who got the news of their loved one's death in the line of duty, serving our country.  I will pray for the ones kneeling at the grave of that young man or woman who died before they should have.  I know that the blood spilled by all the people who have died through the generations in the name of "FREEDOM" soaks deeply into the fabric of our nation.  It soaks deeply into my heart.  I will be forever grateful for the sacrifices made for the freedom I enjoy today.  I will also pray that God will continue to bless America

I came home safely.  My family got the opportunity to hold up "Welcome Home" banners as I returned from the war.  They do not have to kneel at my premature grave site.  Firstly, I owe this to God and His grace and mercy.  I also know that I owe this to the countless men and women who kept me and so many others safe in the war zone.

Father, please be with all the people who have lost loved ones to war.  Cover them in your love and send the Holy Comforter to heal the deep wounds of grief and loss.  Send your holy angels upon them to bring them comfort and a heavenly touch.  Bring into their minds this truth:  Their loved one did not die in vain.  I continue to pray for your Peace in this world.  Help me to be mindful of the sacrifices that have been made, the ones being made today, and the ones that are yet to come.  Grant us your mercy and provide divine opportunities for me to continue to "do my part."   I pray that you would protect our children and our children's children.  In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit I pray.  Amen.