"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