We will remember

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As we are observing the 20th anniversary of the attacks against the United States by 19 terrorists, it is difficult. There are mixed emotions and conflicting thoughts.

The loss of lives of people who were just minding their own business on the ground or on a flight shook the soul of the nation. For a few days that stretched into weeks, the normal things we allow to distract and divide us didn’t matter, we were “united we stand…” in the face of evil and suffering. But we were changed.

Some of you hadn’t considered military service before and now that was what was on the top of your, “what I’m going to do after I graduate” list. I was an Army Reservist non-commissioned officer that was on alert by 1100 eastern time to have my bags packed and be ready to put life on hold once there were orders. I moved up my plans to propose to my girlfriend. Becoming a Chaplain or coming on active duty weren’t on my radar. Life has gone much differently than planned.

Depending on where you were and how old you were, you likely have parts of your story that changed on Sept. 11, 2001, or in its aftermath. The experiences since then have been many and vary widely. Some people who had a different plan for their lives became heroes, sacrificing their lives for their beliefs and for the sake of their families and friends to live according to the freedoms we often take for granted. Others made great sacrifices of time while deployed, or of their future abilities as they suffered injuries, seen and unseen, “over there.”

We like happy endings, that the Afghan people were able to grow and prosper out from under the rule of the Taliban and their allies, Al Qaeda. But it hasn’t turned out that way. There are lots of questions that will go unanswered. But I know that other than Yuma Proving Ground chapel, the location I’ve preached the most was a chapel that no longer exists in Khost, Afghanistan to a mixed audience. I spent time each day while doing physical training praying for the people of Afghanistan, I spent money in the bazaar with Afghan business owners. I believe those things were not without a lasting effect.

Those who served in Afghanistan, and Iraq, will remember the good that we attempted. We will remember those that we lost and honor their memory and we will not be alone. Our families and communities will remember, our enemies will remember that we are a well-trained and deadly enemy. While we may never see it, there is a generation of Afghani and Iraqi people who have seen a different way of life. They too will remember that the Americans, and their partners, came to offer a different way than previous generations had known.

As we observe this milestone anniversary, it is important to keep moving forward, but I will ask each person to pause and pray.

Pray for the families of those who died or were injured, that they may have peace. Pray for the living, that we will not grow weary in doing what is right, even when it hurts. Finally, pray that we will remember, and continue to move forward together.