A GUARDSMAN'S RETURN TO LONELINESS

This weekend should mark the final Welcome Home Celebration for the more than 2,800 Iowa National Guard troops that deployed to Afghanistan last July. There have been collective reliefs all over the Hawkeye State thankful for the safe return of soldiers.  And well there should be. 

A support group provides a constant ROCK

This past weekend, I was visiting with a Guard Officer about our son's experience in Afghanistan and his arrival home a little over a week ago.  We began talking about a support group for the soldiers and how my wife and I were feeling pulled to that mission.  It was the words he shared with us shortly thereafter that stopped me in my tracks.  "We'll begin seeing some radical behavior in the coming weeks....some suicidal", he said.  "And as we get closer to the Holiday season, we'll see a spike in that same area".  It wouldn't be surprising to see more than 50 cases, maybe more, he went on to say.  So, what do we do?  Do we walk around the situation without talking about the elephant in the room?  I think not.  Here is a beginning:  

C.S. Lewis said that God whispers to us in joys, speaks to us in our conscience and shouts to us in our pain.  In our joys, it is as though He is whispering in a crowded auditorium of His immense, outrageous love for us-but we can't hear.  We're too busy.  We're too enmeshed with our friends, our joys and our lives. 

He tries again to speak to us through our conscience, but we don't slow down enough to listen.  Our hearing aid is on low, because we're engaged with so many things.  Without purposeful listening, the communication process is not complete.

But the Hound of Heaven is persistent in His love and concern, so He shouts...through pain.  He finally has our attention.  And in the pain of loneliness He says, "You are My child in whom I'm well pleased.  Now I'm going to lead you through the desert so that you can taste Me, touch Me, see Me, hear Me in new ways.

Loneliness is not a time of abandonment...it just feels that way.  It's actually a time of encounter at new levels with the only One who can fill that empty place in our hearts.

Loneliness need not be an enemy...it can be a friend.

Loneliness need not be an interruption in our lives..it can be a gift.

Loneliness need not be an obstacle..it can be an invitation.

Loneliness need not be a problem....it can be an opportunity.

Loneliness need not be a dead end...it can be an adventure!

It has been said, "Loneliness leaves its traces in man but these are marks of pathos, of weathering, which enhance dignity and maturity and love.

We'll talk more about the reintegration process in the coming weeks.  Realize everyone processes things in their own ways.....some want to run and some isolate.  Loneliness can be a maturing process, that's a given.  But it can also signal something else.  Stay Awake and Be Alert.....


YGG,

John

WHERE ARE YOU GOING SOLDIER?

"Hey, where are you going Soldier?", the Sergeant asked.  Stopping in his tracks, the Private felt the warmth begin to well up inside.  Gosh, how he disliked those words.  It implied he had no direction in his life, as a matter of fact, it made him feel like a kid all over again.  Was he wandering into an area he shouldn't be?  No, it was some burly dude trying to prove a point.  The Sergeant was the one in control of the situation.

I don't have any facts to present, but I'm sure this type of an exchange happens far too often for most Soldiers.  However, if one is ever going to move up the promotional ladder, they'd better learn command and respect.  So, they answer back, the best way they know how.  "Going to the bathroom, sir",  the soldier states.  But underneath, one wonders.....

Four days ago, we welcomed back our oldest son from a year deployment to Afghanistan.  Thankfully, he is  safely back on U.S. soil.  At least I think he is, from what little we've seen of him.  He's been on the go day and night, night and day.  Anywhere other than home.  As a parent, you'd like to sit down and have some meaningful conversation of his past year's experiences.  But that happening appears to be one that will take place later rather than sooner.  And that's been frustrating.   Certainly we want him to re-connect with old friends and reintegrate into society, but it appears to us, his methods closer portray a man on the run.  Not necessarily from any one person,  but the authority thing.  We haven't put any boundaries on his return...afterall, he's almost 21 years of age.  But trying to find some reason for his actions led me to think of this.  Is he trying to avoid the question, where you going? or maybe what are you doing?   I wonder.  I know I would.  Strangely, we haven't asked either of those questions.

I think maybe it might help to pose some statements and then some questions.  I know I'd like to see the picture a little more clearer, how about you?  One mother told me yesterday she feels safer with her soldier in Afghanistan than she does with him back in the States.  That caught me off guard, yet when I thought about it further, it definitely made some sense.  She further related that when her son was at work overseas, she knew what he had going on.  At home, there were far too many other things taking place, namely girls and partying.  Another parent suggested in the little time they'd seen their soldier home, he appeared in a word they could only describe as....scattered.  It was their desire to have their son come back inside himself and get grounded again.   And then yet another family wore the facial expressions of disappointment as they talked about their soldier.  Had there been a real intimate reconnection yet between them?  It appears not.

So are parents and spouses expecting too much too soon?  Maybe......Is the battle line already being drawn that seperates, "you don't know what I went through and what I saw" to someone that wants to be there if only as a "pair of ears".

I'd like to offer some thoughts that are going through my mind today.  It might hit home with you.  It might at least cause you to stop and think, regardless if you are a parent or a soldier.  For my wife and I, this past year has been the most difficult year of our lives.  Hands down, the toughest.  While our son was performing missions on an average of nearly one per day, we were struggling to maintain our faith, our hope and somehow provide a "stiff" upper lip.  We were to be cheerleaders when it was the furthest thing from our conscience, yet somehow we had to go there.  Our role was to provide a "mind's eye to home" for our son.  I think we did that the best way we knew how.  Did we shoot a gun or encounter an IED?  Were we ever ambushed?  Did we encounter an enemy far too hard to trust?  I think you know the answer to those questions.  No, no and no.  However, most family members faced a different type of battle.  Maybe it was financial.  Or the children couldn't cope with a parent being gone and they became depressed, school grades suffered and behavioral issues cropped up.  Perhaps it was loneliness thinking no one could understand what they were going through.  Simply, it could have been lack of support.

Patience rewarded with a great, big hug

Whatever the case, both parties have endured a tremendous amount this past year.  It hasn't been all bad, though.  There has been some unique stories of hope and faith and PATIENCE.  And that's where I think we are right now.  We need to be in PATIENCE mode.  Both soldier and family member....steadfastly asking God to give each of us the right words for understanding.

If we follow God's lead regarding this time in our lives,  I don't think any of us will have to ask the question....the one our soldier doesn't want to hear and the one we don't want to ask....."Where are you going"?       

"My child, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments;
for length of days and years of life
and abundant welfare they will give you.
Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
in the sight of God and of people.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be a healing for your flesh
and a refreshment for your body".-Proverbs 3:1-8

YGG,

John 

A FAMILY JOURNAL: A MOTHER'S PRAYER TO A SOLDIER-VOLUME 16

The journal you are about to read is part of an ongoing dialogue.  The words are a conversation between "the family" of the soldier experience.  It's Dads, Moms, Sons,  Daughters,  Relatives and Friends sharing their thoughts of a particular day and/or it could be the soldiers journal entry detailing his or hers.  I believe there are many, many people keeping a journal through the Afghan War.  If you want to share an entry of yours email it to jkmyfathersvoice@gmail.com  Your post will be strictly confidential,  no names will be used.  In addition, locations overseas will not be mentioned for security purposes except the country of origin.  Some editing may be done to further protect the journal participant.


To my first born son with my whole heart:

 I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning and had you heavy on my heart...I felt like God was prompting me to get up and to pray specifically for you.   I felt the need to pray a very cleansing prayer on your behalf.  A battle prayer in the spirit realm.  One that reminded the powers of darkness that they have no authority over you because you belong to Christ.  I felt there was an evil presence that was with you and also with many of the other soldiers.   A presence that perhaps attached itself to you in Afghanistan.   As a country that does not know or honor the Lord there is much evil at work within its borders.  I do not have to tell you that I, know....But I feel as though there is like a residue that comes back with many of our soldiers. One that wants to defeat you however it can, mentally, emotionally, wrecking marriages and relationships, bringing illness... I want you to be aware.  But the most important thing is I want you to remember my words to you in previous letters - BUT GOD.

The enemy who follows after some of you is already defeated because the Lord has brought him down...and he knows it.  But he seeks to prey on those who don't recognize him or who don't have the wisdom to know he is real and nipping at their heels.  I feel he was after you...Wishing to stay secretly attached and causing you to think it was 'all you'.  The good news is that he has been exposed and brought down. I felt the need to pray for you from head to toe. To pray for a cleansing of your emotions, soul, spirit, and body. To pray for a detachment of all that encumbers you from war. These things must leave you now and have no authority to come into our home. They must go back from where they came. Not because I say so but because the Lord has given US who walk with HIM authority over evil.  It is in HIS name that I pray and it is in HIS power over them that they must obey.  The bible speaks of the devil and his demons as shuddering in fear at the name of the Lord.  It is in HIS name that I pray for you.  And it is in HIS name that you must continue to stand. 

Envision A Cleansing White Light

 I envisioned a cleansing white light all around you-even under your feet so no ground was left exposed.  I envisioned a pushing away of all that has been on you and after the pushing away a barrier around you that keeps it out.  Many soldiers are going to be carrying this evil home with them, into their homes and relationships. We must continue to pray. To pray that they come to faith in God because only He has defeated this enemy and without Him it is a battle that will exhaust them and not let up.  You saw how evil, evil is, how it has no regard for life or things that are good, and pure, and right.  It has set itself up against these things.  Not so much in hatred of us per say but in hatred of God and knowing that attacking what God loves most (us) is the best battle plan it has against Him.  This life is about so much more than we see.  There is a whole "nother" war going on out there.   I have learned so much about it by reading the writings of those who have recorded history for us in the pages of the scriptures.  God has given us so much by preserving these writings.  The biblical writings are not just stories but are actual historical events that have been and are continuing to be proven accurate all the time.  It is my hope for you that you will pursue your walk with God upon your return home.  That you will desire to grow in your knowledge of Him-because you need Him.  WE ALL DO.  I know you will want to have some good hard fun, and you should!  But I pray you will not find your total escape there, in the things of party life and what not.  I know you will want to go there for a short time but don't stay there too long lest it becomes a way of life and with it consequences that follow.
You know I love you with all I got...I am and will always be here for you anytime, anywhere.  I pray that we stay close as a family all of our lives. That we always have each other close at heart and that we enjoy each other.  There are still some rocky places as your brothers continue on the road to manhood but I pray our relationships always stay intact.  I so want to enjoy each other always and to be a close knit family.  I love nothing more on this earth than you guys.

Please know that you can talk to me as little or as much as you want to. You do not have to spare me from the horrors you saw if you want to talk about them.  It is painful to hear no doubt but I know that evil is full of horror.  But there is power in bringing things kept inside, in the dark, out into the light, the open...Once they are out the light takes away the power of the darkness and the bigness of it all shrinks.  So I encourage you to talk about what you hold inside with someone.  Be thinking about who that or they WHO they might be, that you would feel safe in sharing with.  But please know that I am all ears and all heart 24 hours a day for you. And even if you just want me to hang, because that in itself can be such a comfort, I am here for that too.

Son, I do so love you. My heart is so with you.  I am so proud to be your Mom-it is an honor.  Counting the hours until we are together again......

Mompo

                                                                     -30-

In the days and weeks and months ahead, there will be a different battle being waged against our soldiers as they return home from Afghanistan.  This Mother's words to her son personifies what we should be praying for.  Be AWARE.  And do not be afraid to seek help where help is best served.  The LORD is there for you.  Take refuge in Psalm 91.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
   my God, in whom I trust.”
 ³ Surely he will save you
   from the fowler’s snare
   and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
   and under his wings you will find refuge;
   his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
   nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
   nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
   ten thousand at your right hand,
   but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
   and see the punishment of the wicked.
 ⁹ If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
   and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
   no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
   to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
   so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
   you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
 ¹⁴ “Because he^[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
   I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
   I will be with him in trouble,
   I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
   and show him my salvation.”


YGG,

John   

A NAVY SEAL UNLIKE ANY OTHER.....

If you want further proof of Man's Best Friend, look no further than the information relayed to me by my friend Dudley Allison.  To say the least, this dog is a hero.  Here is his story...... 


When U.S. President Barack Obama went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, last week for a highly publicized, but very private meeting with the commando team that killed Osama bin Laden, only one of the 81 members of the super-secret SEAL DevGru unit was identified by name: Cairo, the war dog.  Cairo, like most canine members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, is a Belgian Malinois.  The Malinois breed is similar to German shepherds but smaller and more compact, with an adult male weighing in the 30-kilo range.

German shepherds are still used as war dogs by the American military but the lighter, stubbier Malinois is considered better for the tandem parachute jumping and rappelling operations often undertaken by SEAL teams.  Labrador retrievers are also favored by various military organizations around the world.

Like their human counterparts, the dog SEALs are highly trained, highly skilled, highly motivated special ops experts, able to perform extraordinary military missions by Sea, Air and Land (thus the acronym).

The dogs carry out a wide range of specialized duties for the military teams to which they are attached: With a sense of smell 40 times greater than a human's, the dogs are trained to detect and identify both explosive

material and hostile or hiding humans.  The dogs are twice as fast as a fit human, so anyone trying to escape is not likely to outrun Cairo or his buddies.

 A Seal Dog at Work.....Fast and Efficient

The dogs, equipped with video cameras, also enter certain danger zones first, allowing their handlers to see what's ahead before humans follow.  As I mentioned before, SEAL dogs are even trained parachutists, jumping either in tandem with their handlers or solo, if the jump is into water.  Last year canine parachute instructor Mike Forsythe and his dog Cara set the world record for highest man-dog parachute deployment, jumping from more than 30,100 feet up - the altitude transoceanic passenger jets fly at.  Both Forsythe and Cara were wearing oxygen masks and skin protectors for the jump.

As well, the dogs are faithful, fearless and ferocious - incredibly frightening and efficient attackers.  I have seen it reported repeatedly that the teeth of SEAL war dogs are replaced with titanium implants that are stronger, sharper and scare-your-pants-off intimidating, but a U.S. Military spokesman has denied that charge, so I really don't know (never having seen a canine SEAL face-to-face). I do know that I've never seen a photo of a war dog with anything even vaguely resembling a set of shiny metal chompers.  When the SEAL DevGru team (usually known by its old designation, Team 6) hit bin Laden's Pakistan compound on May 2, Cairo 's feet would have been four of the first on the ground.

And like the human SEALs, Cairo was wearing super-strong, flexible body Armour and outfitted with high-tech equipment that included "doggles" -specially designed and fitted dog googles with night-vision and infrared capability that would even allow Cairo to see human heat forms through concrete walls.

Now where on earth would anyone get that kind of incredibly niche hi-tech doggie gear?  From Winnipeg, Canada of all places.  Jim and Glori Slater's Manitoba hi-tech mom-and-pop business, K9 Storm Inc., has a deserved worldwide reputation for designing and manufacturing probably the best body Armour available for police and military dogs.  Working dogs in 15 countries around the world are currently protected by

their K9 Storm body Armour.

Jim Slater was a canine handler on the Winnipeg Police Force when he crafted a Kevlar protective jacket for his own dog, Olaf, in the mid-1990s.  Soon Slater was making body Armour for other cop dogs, then the Canadian military and soon the world.  The standard K9 Storm vest also has a load-bearing harness system that makes it ideal for tandem rappelling and parachuting.

Just as the Navy SEALS and other elite special forces are the sharp point of the American military machine, so too are their dogs at the top of a canine military heirarchy.   In all, the U.S. military currently has about 2,800 active-duty dogs deployed around the world, with roughly 600 now in Afghanistan and Iraq .

As for the ethics of sending dogs to war, that's pretty much a moot point, don't you think? If it's ethical to send humans into combat, then why not dogs?  At least the U.S. now treats its war dogs as full members of the military.  At the end of the Vietnam War, the U.S. combat dogs there were designated as "surplus military equipment" and left behind when American forces pulled out.  Hmmmmmm.....

 

I will say, our four-legged friends understand serving Master and Country to the utmost.  Servitude is what they live for.  Perhaps we can all learn from this lesson.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.  If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.-Peter 4:10-11

YGG,

John 

AGONY AND THE ECSTACY

This past Sunday had to be one of the most difficult for all those associated with the deployment of the Iowa National Guard troops to Afghanistan.  At 4 p.m., Capt. Matthew Nielson was buried at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.  Hours later at a news conference held at Camp Dodge news came of the death of another guardsman, Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker of Cedar Rapids.  The following is a release regarding the latest issue:

JOHNSTON, Iowa— An Iowa Army National Guard soldier was killed, and another Iowa soldier was wounded, when an Afghan security officer opened fire in an attack Saturday, July 9, 2011.  It happened at about 9:30 a.m. Afghanistan time in Panjshir Province.  A statement from the Iowa National Guard said Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker, 39, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa was conducting mounted patrol when he and a civilian in his vehicle were shot and killed by an Afghan National Directorate Security officer.  The statement said Master Sgt. Todd Eipperle of Marshalltown, Iowa stopped his armored vehicle as soon as he heard the shots fired.  Eipperle exchanged gunfire with the Afghan security officer, killing the security officer.

Eipperle was wounded in the attack.  He is being treated for his injuries at a U.S. Army facility in Germany.

Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker

This has been pure agony.  Both Sgt. 1st Class Pasker and Master Sgt. Eipperle were days away from leaving the Afghan area.  To think these soldiers were on a mission in what has been described as a "peaceful" area of Afghanistan and to have this fate is unfathomable.  Our prayers go out to both soldiers families.  

"When they were filled, God said unto his disciples, gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost".  -John 6:12

Several writings ago, I spoke of "picking up the pieces".  Today and for many more days, there will be questions and thoughts regarding the deaths of our two latest soldiers.  Why did they get so close to returning to their families and friends and then lose their lives?  I do not know.  But God does.  I rest in that fact and that there will be rays of sunshine ahead......

From an ecstasy standpoint came news today of several Homecoming dates.  A release from the Iowa National Guard follows:

"Community Homecoming Ceremonies for three Iowa Army National Guard units mobilized as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, will be held on Thursday, July 14 in Cedar Rapids, Boone, and Johnston. Local officials and Iowa National Guard leadership will participate and the public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend these homecoming ceremonies. Here are the units and details:

Cedar Rapids-11:30 a.m., Prairie Point Middle School gym, 401 76th Ave. SW
Company C, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard (approximately 50 Soldiers)

Johnston-12:30 p.m., Johnston High School gym, 6501 NW 62nd Ave.
Company B, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard (approximately 50 Soldiers)

Boone-1 p.m., Boone High School gym, 500 7th St.
Selected Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard (approximately 85 Soldiers). Additional Soldiers from this company will return later in July-date and time to be determined".

The celebrations that are listed above will be full of tears and hugs and an outpouring of love.....and one of relief.   But, not all have been so fortunate. To date, we have lost 8 soldiers since our National Guardsmen deployed last summer.  We experienced all sorts of emotions, but none more truthful than agony and ecstasy.  But know this, through it all, God has been with us...

YGG,

John    

MOST GUARD HOMECOMINGS IN HOLDING PATTERN

This weekend, my wife and I took part in a Parents of Soldiers Retreat at the Third Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa.  We came away with some much needed information regarding our son Kris and his return from deployment to Afghanistan this past year.

Joanne and I were part of a panel that shared a parent's concern and how to deal with the issues both family and soldier will encounter in the coming weeks and months.  A central theme that prevailed was the importance of prayer, not only on the safe return of each of the 2,800 soldiers, but the significance of continued appeal in the reintegration process.  Each soldier will encounter a new battle, much different than what they've experienced the last year. The enemy will be foreign to them.   Some will struggle with depression, others with "normalcy" and some will disdain stupid people asking them questions......errr, let me rephrase that.  Some people asking them stupid questions.  Did you kill someone?  What did that feel like? are not appropriate.  It was suggested by one parent an opening line could be...."Welcome Home.  We're so glad to have you back.  You probably learned an awful lot during your deployment, what were some of the duties you performed?"  At that point the soldier can either say a little or say alot depending on their comfortability.  That sounded like a good plan to me.  Afterall, many of these Guardsmen have seen things, experienced things they may or may not want to share.  If you can think in simpler terms of offering your mere presence and listening ears that would no doubt help.  Be a friend, not a pest and not an intolerant soul.

Krystle Kacner, a reporter for WHO-TV News in Des Moines shot a feature of the weekend.  I believe her story provides an added visual for what lies ahead for us all.   Click on the link below.

Parents of Soldiers Retreat

So the weekend was jammed pack full of great information, right?  Well yes and no depending on where your soldier is currently located enroute home.  At the end of the day on Saturday, Colonel Steve Altman informed the group of the procedure of reintegration, processing and Homecoming Celebrations.  Colonel Altman said the first of the 2,800 troops landed at Fort McCoy on Thursday.  Another plane landed on Friday and one is due to land Sunday.  That's the great news.  It would appear the first of the Celebrations will be taking place on Sunday, July 17th.  I'm not sure of that location.  What's that mean for our son?  Initially, we had information passed onto us for a Welcome Home on Thursday the 14th.  That's not going to happen.  It appears the Homecomings will coincide with the touchdown of each group at Fort McCoy.  So as an example, if your soldier lands at Fort McCoy on the 13th....plan on roughly 7 days before your Celebration.

A Holding Pattern at 7 Days

Disappointed?  For sure.  We are not unlike any other parent, spouse or relative.  The days can not go quick enough.  I did talk to Colonel Altman after the Retreat and asked him of the logistical nightmare that exists in getting 2,800 troops home.  He was quick to agree with my statement.  Despite the frustrations, our longing to put a big bear hug on a soldier, the National Guard is following an insistence to process each soldier properly.  And that means alot of things, but most important, medically.  So much like Atlantis experienced on Friday, we are in a  holding pattern.  T Minus 7 Days and Counting.  When mission control gives the okay....we'll resume the COUNTDOWN. 


YGG,

John

CAPT. MATTHEW NIELSON DIED "SERVING OTHERS"

Losing a child has to be an experience no parent wants to go through.  In War, it happens nearly each and every day.  And when it does happen, it leaves parents to "pick up the pieces".   On June 29th, Roger and Chris Nielson of Jefferson received news regarding their son, Capt. Matthew Nielson, who was killed during an insurgent attack while serving in Iraq.  A statement from the Department of Defense says Capt. Nielson, 27, died during an “indirect fire attack” by insurgents.  Capt. Nielson was serving in Iraq as part of Operation New Dawn,

Days later at a  press conference in Jefferson,  his family reflected on Capt. Nielson's life and the mind-set they had in dealing with their loss.   "Words just can hardly describe the feelings that parents and sisters and brothers have when you’re out there with the other soldiers",  Roger Nielson said, " the ceremony, deplaning, carrying him across the tarmac, that sense of bringing him home, as a Dad, that answered a lot of questions, because they brought my kid home.”

Remains of Capt. Matthew Nielson arrive at Dover Air Force Base on July 2nd

Two other soldiers died in the attack.  They are Capt. David Van Camp of Wheeling, West Virginia and Spc. Robert Tenney Jr. of Warner Robins, Georgia.  All three men were assigned to the U.S. Army's 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Hood, Texas.  Capt. Nielson was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska; Ogden, Iowa and Jefferson, Iowa.  He was commissioned in May 2008 as an armor officer and had been assigned to his unit since November,  Nielson graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where he was in the Army ROTC.  Capt. Nielson was the oldest of eight children. 

 His family issued this statement through the Dept. of Defense:

“Since Matt was a small boy he loved anything military, so he died doing what he loved best.  Serving others was of the utmost importance to him and how he wanted to spend his life.  He always gave his all, whatever he was doing.  Matthew was a beloved son, brother, friend and Soldier. He’s already home, and we know we’ll be together again someday."

"Apart, but forever in our hearts".- Psalms 11

The funeral for Capt. Matthew Nielson will be held this coming Sunday, July 10th at the Greene County Community Center in Jefferson beginning at noon.  Burial will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter at 4 p.m.

Rest in Peace, Captain Matthew Nielson.

YGG,

John

TWELVE DAYS BEFORE DEPLOYMENT ENDS

You've no doubt heard of the Twelve Days of Christmas.  Have you ever wondered what all the words mean in the carol?  What in the world do leaping Lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? 

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.  Someone during that era wrote. "The Twelve Days of Christmas", as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning, the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.  Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. 

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtles doves were the Old and New Testaments

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Sevens swans a=swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.

The ten Lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the elven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there you are.  There is your history lesson for the day.  Now you know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.  

Now for some fun.  There are twelve days left until the Welcome Home Celebration for the 1/133rd.  Our son, Kris, will be part of that group who ambles to Cedar Falls in the early morning hours of July 17th.  I'd like some help constructing a carol, or poem or song, whatever you want to call it.  I'm going to use the Twelve Day's theme, only in reverse order.  I've put the first day down.  Offer any ideas you want for Day 11 and so on.  I'll consider them all.  It's obvious from the song's theme, there will be a new addition to our family in the coming days......a four-legged fuzz ball.

With twelve days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over and
A "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned

With eleven days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about overerages
Eleven straight days of sleeping
And a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned

With ten days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waitin
And a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned.

With nine days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waiting ha-ha
Nine steaks for eatin
and a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned. 

With eight days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waiting ha-ha
Nine steaks for eatin
Eight days meant for fishin
and a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned.

With seven days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waiting ha-ha
Nine steaks for eatin
Eight days meant for fishin
Seven nights for star gazin
and a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned.

With six days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waiting ha-ha
Nine steaks for eatin
Eight days meant for fishin
Seven nights for star gazin
Six dudes for hangin
and a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned

With five days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waiting ha-ha
Nine steaks for eatin
Eight days meant for fishin
Seven nights for star gazin
Six dudes for hangin
Five ballgames for watchin
And a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned.

With four days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waiting ha-ha
Nine steaks for eatin
Eight days meant for fishin
Seven nights for star gazin
Six dudes for hangin
Five ballgames for watchin
Four days for swimmin
And a "Golden" waiting to be gleaned.

With three days left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waiting ha-ha
Nine steaks for eatin
Eight days meant for fishin
Seven nights for star gazin
Six dudes for hangin
Five ballgames for watchin
Four days for swimmin
Three wishes to be granted
And a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned.

With two days left of deployment.
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waiting ha-ha
Nine steaks for eatin
Eight days meant for fishin

Seven nights for star gazin                                 
Six dudes for hangin
Five ballgames for watchin
Four days for swimmin
Three wishes to be granted
Two brothers in arms
And a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned.

Johnson Brothers in Arms
(Jordan and Jacob)

With one day left of deployment,
my friends and family said to me,
Twelve months about over
Eleven straight days of sleeping
Ten beverages a-waiting ha-ha
Nine steaks for eatin
Eight days meant for fishin
Seven nights for star gazin
Six dudes for hangin
Five ballgames for watchin
Four days for swimmin
Three wishes to be granted
Two brothers in arms
One great big CELEBRATION
And a "Golden" puppy waiting to be gleaned.

Good Luck Gleaning The One....Can We Take Them All?

YGG,

John

A CHAPLAIN'S ROLE DURING DEPLOYMENT

As days dwindle down to a manageable two weeks left to the beginning of Welcome Home Celebrations, it's important to look back at some of the transforming experiences that have taken place for the Iowa National Guard Soldiers in their deployment to Afghanistan.  This story is one I wanted to share because I think it speaks volumes to where God is at work.

The following was written by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Matson of the Task Force Red Bulls Public Affairs Office.


LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - With 16 people in attendance, the chapel at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, was nearly at capacity June 26.  Fifteen Soldiers and one civilian seated folding chairs listened as U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Michael Willer, the battalion chaplain for 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Ironman, part of the Iowa National Guard’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, TF Red Bulls, gave his final sermon of the unit’s deployment.
“The record here is 23, and that was on Easter,” Willer said with a warm smile. “So attendance has been between two and 23 on Sundays.”

For the past eight months, Willer has preached from the connex chapel. Actually, it is two connexes joined together, or a “doublewide,” but the chapel doesn’t occupy all the space.

U.S. Army Chaplain Capt. Michael Willer At Work

“There’s also a closet in here and a barbershop,” Willer explained. “I get my haircut there all the time. You can get your haircut and worship in the same spot all before lunch. Occasionally, the Afghan barber will leave his music on Saturday night before he leaves, so we’ll enjoy Middle Eastern music through the wall while we worship.”

Though it may not be a fancy church, Willer said he is fond of the chapel.

“Even though it is two connexes put together – even though there’s a birds nest in the wall and they get loud at times,” Willer said with a laugh, “it’s still a chapel; it’s still holy ground.”

In the front row of the chapel was one of Willer’s regular attendees, U.S. Army Sgt. Toby Hall, a civil affairs team leader with Company A, 413th Civil Affairs Battalion, assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Task Force Red Bulls, from Amarillo, Texas. Hall said he has attended all but three or four of Willer’s services this year, either because he was on leave or on a mission.

He said he likes Willer’s “laid-back style,” and how he relates to the Soldiers in the battalion, despite not having been a career Soldier.

“He’s a down-to-earth guy,” Hall said. “When you talk to him, you don’t have to feel like you’re walking on eggshells because you’re talking to a messenger of God. He’s a normal human being, and he doesn’t ever try to act like anything else. He’s funny, and he doesn’t just sit in his office and use the cross against everybody that walks in because they cuss or something like that. He knows he’s in a war zone and he knows that he’s with Soldiers and everybody’s not perfect.”

Willer does far more than hold a Saturday night and Sunday morning service. He handles Red Cross messages for Soldiers, and has the difficult task of holding memorial services as well. He also travels between the other forward operating bases and combat outposts were the Red Bulls have Soldiers, tending to their religious needs. He said numerous Soldiers at the smaller and more remote FOBs and COPs in Laghman Province have brought their bibles and read them regularly, as well as host prayer groups and bible studies on their own to keep the faith.

Just traveling around has been a “big deal” to Willer, he said.

“Just seeing the changes in the countryside from one place to another – from here to say Torkham Gate or Najil has been a huge highlight for me,” Willer said. “It really does change over a short distance.”

Willer, a lifelong Iowan, serves as a preacher outside of the military, also. He went to college at the University of Iowa before attending seminary and went straight from college into the ministry.

He has only been a chaplain for four years. Willer said his calling into the Iowa National Guard came not from above, but from an article in the Des Moines Register.

“About a year before I got in, the Des Moines Register ran a full page article on the fact that the Iowa National Guard had a shortage of chaplains – they had 16 slots and only seven were taken,” Willer, now 41, recalled. “When I read that, it really just bothered me that I was still young enough that I could be doing something and that I wasn’t. My wife and I went through like a week or two process of praying about it and asking ourselves what that meant, and we came to the conclusion that if they needed chaplains there was not a reason I shouldn’t do it.”

Willer will return home to Webster City, Iowa, where he preaches at a church, as well as in a neighboring town. While he was gone, a retired pastor from the church filled in for him.

This is Willer’s first deployment, and he said it has been a different experience preaching for Soldiers instead of civilians.

“It’s been different in that the life challenges that people here face,” he said. “People are away from their families and separation is difficult. People’s prayer concerns tend not to be so much for the Soldiers here, but for their loved ones back home. Church here is really lifting up our prayers for our loved ones back home in that they’re able to carry on and be alright without us there.”

His churchgoers are overall much younger, too, Willer said.

“A lot of them are 18, 19, and some of them have never been away from home,” he said. “So the Soldiers here have experienced things for the very first time. Back home, when you go through ups and downs, you have friends and family that are close; here, your family are your friends that you deployed with.”

Willer said helping Soldiers deal with the emotional separation of being away from family, as well as dealing with it himself, is one of the challenges he faced during his deployment as a chaplain. The other, he said, has been dealing with the role of performing memorial services for fallen Soldiers.

“I’ve done funerals back home, but many of them were for older people who had lived out life,” he said. “Here, the memorial services I’ve done have been for young people that had a full life ahead of them and felt called to serve their country and gave their life serving it. That’s a very emotional, and humbling thing to be part of for someone like that.”

He said his year in Afghanistan has given him a new perspective for his return to the U.S.

“I think that being in a country like this and seeing what we have in the States and how blessed we are compared to what the people here have, and yet they’re still happy here. It’s given me a new perspective to take back,” Willer said. “In the nine months that I’ve been here, that’s kind of a struggle that I’ve had.”

Still, through the good times and the bad times, Willer said he doesn’t regret his year here.

“Each person that came through this church has given me memories that I’ll keep for a long time,” Willer said. “It truly is a blessing and a calling from God to be here and help others keep the faith while they are separated from their families during the deployment. I would do it all again in a heartbeat, because it really has been a life-changing experience.”

Thank you Capt. Michael Willer and the many other Chaplains that have given of themselves for the health and spiritual well being of our soldiers.  May God bless you richly.


YGG,

John