FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real
One might think that after 95 days of separation during a deployment, families would find each day getting easier. To the contrary—I think perhaps it gets more difficult. Each day brings new challenges, new dangers and new fears. This past week vividly brought that fact home to us.
Our son was one of several selected to attend a five-day school at another location some distance from his base. They were flown by helicopter to their destination. This five-day school brought the possibility of several nice perks most deployed Marines don’t enjoy. After each day-long class these Marines had hot showers, soft beds, hot food (including Pizza Hut, Burger King, and Subway), movies, a gym, a military exchange (shopping center), a telephone center and internet access, and the relative safety of a well fortified base. Those five days flew by, and it was time to return to the real world of a combat Marine. That real world consists of MRE’s (Meals Ready To Eat), sleeping in abandoned buildings with no power, infrequent showers, and the constant danger of insurgent attacks and IED’s.
We enjoyed the opportunity of talking with our son several times during those five days. We knew he was to depart for his forward operating base sometime on Sunday. We heard his return helicopter flight might be delayed or cancelled, resulting in the possibility of return by convoy.
We started a new week with the morning news report that a Marine helicopter had gone down. Four of the 16 occupants did not survive. Fear has a way of gripping your heart and paralyzing your ability to focus on anything else. After nearly 36 hours of waiting, agonizing and praying, the long awaited phone call came, and our Marine’s voice assured us he was safe and back on post. He was delayed but took a later flight. Once again we were reminded of God’s continued care for our son. Psalm 121:7-8 reminds us, “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.
As we rejoiced in the news of our son’s safety, we were also reminded that four families received the sad news of that helicopter crash. May we never forget the sacrifice of these brave Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, and Coast Guard, but also the families they leave behind.
Semper Fi!
Our son was one of several selected to attend a five-day school at another location some distance from his base. They were flown by helicopter to their destination. This five-day school brought the possibility of several nice perks most deployed Marines don’t enjoy. After each day-long class these Marines had hot showers, soft beds, hot food (including Pizza Hut, Burger King, and Subway), movies, a gym, a military exchange (shopping center), a telephone center and internet access, and the relative safety of a well fortified base. Those five days flew by, and it was time to return to the real world of a combat Marine. That real world consists of MRE’s (Meals Ready To Eat), sleeping in abandoned buildings with no power, infrequent showers, and the constant danger of insurgent attacks and IED’s.
We enjoyed the opportunity of talking with our son several times during those five days. We knew he was to depart for his forward operating base sometime on Sunday. We heard his return helicopter flight might be delayed or cancelled, resulting in the possibility of return by convoy.
We started a new week with the morning news report that a Marine helicopter had gone down. Four of the 16 occupants did not survive. Fear has a way of gripping your heart and paralyzing your ability to focus on anything else. After nearly 36 hours of waiting, agonizing and praying, the long awaited phone call came, and our Marine’s voice assured us he was safe and back on post. He was delayed but took a later flight. Once again we were reminded of God’s continued care for our son. Psalm 121:7-8 reminds us, “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.
As we rejoiced in the news of our son’s safety, we were also reminded that four families received the sad news of that helicopter crash. May we never forget the sacrifice of these brave Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, and Coast Guard, but also the families they leave behind.
Semper Fi!
1 Comments:
Thanks for keeping us up to date. Even when we don't tell you, it's important for us to keep hearing what's going on. Your Marine is in our prayers.
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