“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” ~ John 15:13
I remember the first day I reported for duty. I was only 18 years old, and had no idea what awaited me. Although the upcoming 4 months would be the most challenging in my young adult life, I successfully completed my training and became a part of something that was much greater than myself.
It was official: I was a United States soldier.
Over the coming years I would learn how to trust and rely on people who didn’t look, talk, or think like me. I had never before worked with people of varying cultures, ethnicities, and races, but had heard some stories about these different people growing up. I would quickly learn, however, that the stereotypes that had shaped my opinions of these people who I didn’t know were both cruel and inaccurate. As we trained together, we developed a great deal of respect and love for one another. Asians, African Americans, Hispanics… Catholics, Jews, Protestants, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus… Our prior life experiences would sometimes collide, but they always forged ahead with a loving acceptance of the other; forging relationships built on trust and respect.
My military experience enriched my life in so many ways. Work ethic, leadership, responsibility, commitment, teamwork… things that would shape and prepare me for a life that I had never dreamt possible.
I would do it all over again, the same way, in a heartbeat.
The people who have served, and who currently serve, offer us invaluable lessons in important things like accountability, civility, service, and trust. I firmly believe that our nation might better find its way again if military service became mandatory for a 3-year commitment. Perhaps we would be more selective of the wars we enter into. Perhaps we would become more appreciative of diversity instead of becoming critical of the things that make us unique, things that God Himself intended. We would learn how to cling to the important things that unite instead of the trivial things that divide.
Anyway… above and beyond all that, I just want to take this moment to thank those who have served and those currently serving our country!
As coach Ted Lasso says, “It takes teamwork to make the dream work!”
Sincerely,
FormerBlackoutArtist/Sergeant, US Army: 1987-1991, 1997-2003
Former Blackout Artist 