"ALL THAT'S HOLY"

Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

I went to church today, twenty below, minus thirty wind-chill. The rest of this household opted out "too cold" . "If our soldiers in the Afghanistan Mountains can protect this country I can make it two miles to church".

Bundled in double polar fleece and silks sent back to me from Afghanistan; once worn by my Fallen Soldier Son, I warm the restive engine of my car and chug my way to town.

Boy Scout Sunday. I had forgotten. I recall my boys, young Scouts at my side.

The Scout Law has three points: Duty to God and Country, Duty to Other People, Duty to Self.....

Scouts are present in uniform , the same Leader who led my sons. There have been twenty five Eagle Scouts since he led this Troop. Two have been mine, one my Fallen Soldier.

Sons of mine raised their hand, pledged the Scout Oath: "I will do my best.....to do my duty....to God..my Country.....to help other people at all times...." . I see their faces in every Scout there.

This "duty" led my Fallen Soldier to the Army, to shout the Infantry Creed. Both pledges he pledged. Both oaths he lived. Both he died for.

In Church today, the sermon: a story, a picnic, cottonwood seed not snow, an old soldier knowing but lying because it's safer to lie than tell the truth? Suddenly the sermon swings and America is "bombing third world countries", commingled with the word "lie"?

The warmth I felt flees, my heart stills frozen, fighting anger feeling confusion, hurt, tears collect ready to spill held in check by sheer determination.

How can you? My son pledged to honor God, Country, to help people. Our soldiers ARE helping! Do you not know?

My Eagle Scout, My Soldier, My Son shot, in the head. Defending and aiding the oppressed. The enemy shot first!

My Scout, My Soldier, My Son fell defending his men in battle, defending his country, defending freedom to preach, to worship, gather, vote, educate, Scout.

In the mountains of Afghanistan; roads being carved , water piped to isolated villages, food provided to the starving, power stations, medical aide, schools built. The oppressed presented a chance to let freedom ring.

Young boys and girls in schools built by American Soldiers. Women and little girls protected from rape.

Young men in distant countries gifted opportunity to defend, protect homes, family, country, their right to worship their God, by the blood of My Scout, My Soldier, My Son.

A jubilant birth far away in Afghanistan. A baby boy, his mother, saved by U.S. Army medical staff and soldiers from My Scout, My Soldier, My Son's Brigade. "I have his photo" I want to scream. "He and his mother would not be alive!" This innocent has a chance for peace, for a life without terror.

My son is gone but this child, this mother and many more will live their lives because my son died.

I drove to church today, frozen, looking for warmth, comfort, healing for my soul.

I received communion in my Fallen Soldier Son's polar fleece and silks sent back to me from Afghanistan. There was a Gold Star on my collar, an "Honor the Fallen Pin" on his polar fleece jacket.

It was Boy Scout Sunday. He was an Eagle Scout, a Soldier, My Son,

Father, Son and Holy Ghost.....

It was very cold in church toady.

Yet, I believe the sun is shining in Heaven, for Sons, Scouts and Soldiers

Flags, Eagles, and Psalm 23

I finalized the agreement for Patrick's memorial stone today. This is one of the harder things I have had to do. I considered many designs and options. What seemed most important was this must reflect something about Patrick. I knew his father and older brother wanted a Flag and an Eagle. I didn't want it to be like everyone elses.
So began the search for just the right Eagle and Flag. I found it. No one else has had it etched that I am aware of. A very special artist granted permission to use his artwork for Patrick's granite etching.
The Eagle and the Flag are important for obvious reasons. Some know that when Patrick entered Woodlawn the Patriot Guard Riders Flags stilled. After Patrick past, they again blew in the breeze. There were those who have told and written about two Eagles seen flying overhead during the service, one breaking away. A lone Eagle sat in a tree along the roadway as we left. (" On Eagles Wings" was also sung for Patrick's service.)
I was not yet satisfied. I needed a Christian reference for this son of mine who insisted he found God outside and battled having to sit in a pew. As I pondered I thought how many times I had prayed Psalm 23 , many times for Patrick during his deployments. This also had been my paternal Grandmother's favorite Psalm. The ribbon mark is there in her large print Bible, that I now have.
In retrospect it seems written for Patrick's Afghanistan experience. We have photos of green pastures, beautiful mountains, a river he fished there (the look on his face fishing is one of pure joy, just like when he was a little boy ).
It is our understanding this battle took place in a valley, early evening, obviously in the presence of enemies: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, thoug anointest my head with oil;my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
The title "Psalm 23" will be simply etched flowing below the Flag.The entire Psalm feels fitting. The lines I have bolded are what jump out at me. I so pray the Lord was there for Patrick during those last moments as he faced the enemy steadfastly defending his fellow soldiers, not giving one inch. I pray our Lord, prepared that table, gave Patrick mercy and now my son dwells in the house of the Lord, forever.
There is additinal wording on the base, front and back. I leave that for those concerned to come and view when they spend time with Patrick.
Sometime this spring Patrick's granite memorial marker should be finished and placed. I hope it will turn out to be a fitting tribute for my son.
A mother blankets her babies, dresses her children to keep them warm. . Instead of blankets, there is a grave. Instead of warm clothing there will be a memorial stone, and tears. Many, many tears.