Angel Flight

I just got through viewing the video for the song "Angel Flight" and wanted to share some "chaplain thoughts." You might want to check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgkxiqKj0nU

I used to wonder why so many "old soldiers" would start to cry when seeing the flag pass in a parade, hearing the National Anthem, or just being reminded of days long past when they served their country. When I was on active duty, I was often present at the "Passing of the Colors," joined in the singing of the National Anthem, conducted memorial services, and so many other events that are part and parcel of the life of a military chaplain. I was intimately aware of all the things going on around me and throughout the world. I, like most military members, was very proud of my service and endeavored to be the best professional possible. I dealt with it quite well. So, why not so many tears during my service?

I think it has a lot to do with being in the midst of the events, trying to do the job, and then moving on to the next mission (guaranteed to be waiting). You just don't always have the time to reflect.

Well, I admit that I have now become an "old soldier" myself and find myself shedding tears all too quickly these days. Sometimes it is the flag passing by in a parade, the National Anthem, a patriotic song, or even a television story of some military member “doing the right thing” in a difficult situation. The difference these days is that I now have the luxury of being far enough removed from the action that I can finally let it speak to me. Isn't that the real issue - being able to let an event really speak to you rather than just responding to it? I think it is.

If there is a lesson for those who still serve, it is the need to experience some of this “old soldier” phenomenon. Find some time to pause and let the events around you "speak" to you. It isn't easy, I know, and yet the power of reflection can be very invigorating - and you might just need to be invigorated.

Every time I serve the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, I remind the people that this is one of the special times in our week that we can pause, look back, and remember. The truth is that when we do that, there is a wonderful discovery of the "feeling" of the great gift Christ has given us. Not just a reminder of the event, but a real feeling of the event. That is the real need during the sacrament - memory alone is not enough.

The Operational Tempo in the military is difficult to keep up with (on a good day) but if we cannot carve out time to pause and reflect, we will miss the opportunity to be invigorated. I must also say that all of this is equally true for those not in the military that might be reading this. All of us go through life entirely too quickly without pausing and letting our experiences speak to us.
My only problem with this is that I am all too often just like you – too busy to stop and “feel.” Too busy making sure that things get done well and on time. Too busy making sure the mission is accomplished - without ever experiencing the emotion and power of the moment.

Maybe, just maybe, if we ask (and try hard), God will give us the wisdom needed for the days ahead.

Just Thinking