Remember and Thank Them
Chaplain (GEN) Phillip D. Burnette
United States Corps OF Chaplains
Chairman, Board of Directors"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity."
- President and retired General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower
"We advocate a foreign policy which will avoid wars, if possible; if not,that we will win them."
- From the Manual of the United States Corps of Chaplains
My friends, I am troubled by the situations we find ourselves in. Our country has, right or wrong, gotten involved in numerous conflicts around the world. Like President Eisenhower, I hate war. It is nasty business at its worst. Our young men and women are involved in armed conflict in every corner of the world. Many will never come home again, alive or dead. That is a cold, hard, brutal fact that must be faced by everyone. It is our duty to support and help our troops however possible, whether we agree with the fight they are in or not. They did not start these affairs. They can only follow the orders of those appointed over them.
We of the United States Corps of Chaplains are in a position to offer much needed comfort to our military members, active and retired, and their families. This is the least that every person living in this country should do for those who have sacrificed so we can enjoy the way of life to which we have grown so accustomed and, sadly, many take for granted.
On Friday, I went to the airport in Birmingham, Alabama to pick up my 20 year old son, Allen, who is stationed in South Korea in the United States Army. He had come home for two weeks leave. While at the airport, we encountered two young men, Army Airborne Rangers, departing for duty in Iraq. I mentioned to Allen that I was glad it was not him. He said to me, "Dad, I would go in a heartbeat if it was my duty."
This was the exact way I felt when I was on active duty in the United States Air Force, ready to go wherever needed, whenever needed, often at a moments' notice. Now, however, I found myself grateful my son did not have to do that, that he had a nice cozy little position in South Korea, far from the intense fighting and all the senseless killing. And this bothered me, that I was glad it was someone elses' child going, not mine. In just a scant few seconds, I was overcome with the emotion of seeing those young men telling their families goodbye, leaving to do their duty, not knowing when or if they would come home again.
My sons, Allen and Marcus, and I then walked over to where these families were gathered. The two young soldiers were the first to notice and realize that I intended to speak to them. I stopped a few paces away and introduced myself as Chaplain Phillip D. Burnette of the United States Chaplains Corps. I further told these young men of my veteran status and my son's current active status.
After the introductions were completed, I told the young men I was proud of them and that I appreciated their service and sacrifice and would hold them up in prayer. Hugs and handshakes were the order of the day, with several misty eyes all around.
A little later, stopping at Wal Mart for Allen, we encountered an elderly gentleman wearing a cap that identified him as a proud veteran of World War 2, USMC. I approached the man and stuck out my hand. He looked at me strangely as I shook his hand and told him, "Thank you for what you did." The old man teared up and said that was the first time anyone other than family had said or done such for him. I told him I had done nothing for him, but that he had done a lot for my family and me by his service.
In both these instances, a few kind words and prayers went far. I hope and pray that each of you can find a little time to thank someone who is doing so much for us. The young men and women just getting involved deserve our respect and gratitude just as do the veterans who fought for us in earlier conflicts.
To my fellow members of the Corps, I want to say thank you for your service, to God and to country. I and my entire family appreciate all you have done, and continue to do each day. It is an honor to serve with you. And remember, God loves you and so do I.