Just in case you are questioning why we place so much emphasis on giving here, there are a couple of reasons.  Most importantly, that’s simply what our mission is - helping meet physical needs at Ludlati, and doing the same locally.  Just like Focus on the Family, well… focuses on the family, or like a business school focuses on teaching about business, our purpose is to discuss giving in a way that we believe is consistent with God’s Word - for our benefit and that of others.  That does not mean that our theology is skewed in some crazy way.  It just means that we have a specific purpose with KnownToMe.

That introduction is necessary because the rest of this post might otherwise seem way off-topic.  I, however, do not believe it could be any more relevant.  Giving our all, surrendering that which is most valuable, is what Jesus seemed to ask all who wanted to follow Him.  The following is an email I received from a friend who is an army chaplain in Iraq… not one of those internet stories that is more urban myth than reality - I know him personally, and he is an inspiration to me.

Thoughts of Sacrifice, Duty and Honor

As I sit here today, I have been thinking about all that has transpired in the last 24 hours.  I started yesterday in the house of the Lord, singing of the matchless love of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Preaching the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ and I rejoiced and shared with my brothers and sisters during worship.  Following worship, the usual Sunday events happened.  I counseled soldiers, met with soldiers around FOB Diamondback, assessing their needs and praying that the Lord would use me to help them with whatever issue the soldier may have.  At times I was laughing, at times I felt their sorrow, and at times I was simply in awe of the difficulty in ministry – one second laughing with a soldier and literary the next consoling a soldier who is in deep despair, and pain.

Then something out of the ordinary and something very unfortunate happened.  I was in the TOC (Tactical Operation Center) of the 3-7 CAV and was told a helicopter had crashed.  The Battle Captain informed me that they did not know more, but believed there to be two KIA’s.  My heart sank, saddened by the loss of soldiers who have graciously taken upon themselves to come to Iraq, to sacrifice their time, to be so long away from home for their country and for so many that they love. 

I was talking with another Chaplain shortly after this time, and became aware of the fact that the helicopter belonged to 1-230th Air Cavalry unit – located right next to my Squadron Area.  I further became aware that their Chaplain was at another location, due to 1-230th having soldiers at different locations.  The other Chaplain and I went with some of soldiers to help with the news of the passing of 2 pilots.  It was tragic to see the grief and pain in their eyes, while tears flowed down their faces.  As I left there, I was told that they needed a Chaplain to fly down, so as to provide some care to the flight crew and to honor the dead, as is part of the Army custom.  I told them I would be honored to fly down and pay respects to the dearly departed.  All I could think about was, they were going home in a couple of weeks, they had families, they had goals, desires….I remember looking as we flew over Iraq also wondering if the departed had also flown over the same portion of Iraq.  I kept thinking about them, the soldiers in their unit, their families, and the flight crew in the Blackhawk I was in—-I was so consumed by loss that I didn’t feel the flight. 

As we touched down, and the bodies were removed from the vehicles, I was amazed at the reverence and honor given by those around.  You could see it in their eyes, hear it in their voices, see it as they saluted, and you could see it as they honored their dead friends. 
I read Psalm 23, and then asked for the Lord’s comfort, strength in this unexplainable tragedy.  Just does not make much sense when something like this happens.  I certainly know the Lord provides in all ways, but it always is a struggle to explain things that really can’t get good answers to the “why’s”, and the “what if’s.”

After the body of one of the soldiers was placed in the Blackhawk I was in, I felt honored to ride with him and the crew that was carrying him back to his unit.  I placed my left hand on the body bag and prayed, and prayed, and prayed.  I prayed for the crew, his unit, his friends, and his family, all of their hopes and dreams, all that he wanted to do.

And then I prayed thank you to the Lord for such men.  I am sure the dangers of aviation were well known to this man.  I am also sure that he knew the risk and accepted them fully while coming here to Iraq.  Such willingness to travel the unknown dangers of this world, such willingness to demonstrate the honor in character that we should all strive to emulate, and such willingness to place duty to others above his own needs.  Thank you for such a man who gave.  I prayed even more, Thank you Lord for the people like him who serve, and who would gladly risk their life for their brothers and sisters in arms, for their country, and for so many that they love.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, how do we honor such a person?  How do we honor those who have sacrificed so much for so many who perhaps have sacrificed little or have not sacrificed anything at all?  It is from soldiers like these that our country and our faith have a rich heritage.  After all, without the willing sacrifices of so many before us where would we be?  Would our country have thrown off despotism and tyranny?  Would our country have risen to throw off the shackles that once enslaved our fellow man?  Would our country have expelled the fascism of evil men?  Would our country have protected others from the genocide by oppressors of hope, freedom, and liberty?

I believe that the way we truly honor such men and women is to keep their stories alive.  We should never forget their sacrifice, and willingness to place themselves in harm’s way.  I believe that the way we truly honor such men and women is to train up others who understand the importance of such ideals.  After all, should no one stand to guard those who cannot protect themselves—we too shall stumble and fall.

Is it not right to help those in this world less fortunate than ourselves?  Would it not be prudent to protect our neighbors who have been treated unfairly by ideals that promote destruction, despair, and devastation in our world?  I ask you, if it is not right for us to stand—then who?  That is how I honor you, my fallen brothers and sisters in arms.  I shall keep your story alive and teach others the values that are so important to many of us.