Support The Troops
Support The Troops
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a global crisis forcing us to protect civilization and prevent the worst case scenario of nuclear annihilation. There has never been a better time to unite for the sake of world peace. “We have right now the opportunity to make changes in how we live and share life together. How shall we begin? " (Almquist, Curtis, SSJE. “Making Meaning.” Cowley. Volume 47, Number 1, page 10, Cambridge: 2020.https://issuu.com/ssje/docs/2020_cowley_fall___pages).
“The Pentagon has ordered about 12,000 service members from various U.S. bases to Europe, with a couple of thousand more already stationed abroad shifting to other European countries. The soldiers’ mission overseas is to train alongside military units of NATO allies in a display of force aimed at deterring further aggression by Russia.” (Russ Bynum, U.S. troops rush to Europe amid war in Ukraine,https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/u-s-troops-rush-to-europe-amid-war-in-ukraine).
“Despite the uniqueness of every veteran’s experience, there is a common theme that I have observed among the veterans I have known. Many veterans feel a deep connection to other vets. There is something about going through training and living within the military that gives us an understanding of each other that needs no words….In combat situations, I was aware of a strong ethic within the military that we take care of each other. We do not abandon wounded comrades on the battlefield. We do not leave our dead behind. It was a sacred commitment that we did not even question…..The Bible sheds light on how our experiences of suffering can equip us to help others. In his second letter to the Christians in Corinth, the apostle Paul praises God for comforting him in his affliction so that he may be able to comfort others.4 The sufferings or problems a person endures may make that person uniquely equipped to help other people facing the same problem. In this way, God turns our sufferings into a means for comforting and encouraging others…. Common experience confirms this truth. Someone who has dealt with a problem is best able to understand and empathize with others facing it. This gives him credibility. Concern that arises from a shared experience of suffering can go beyond words and reach into the heart. It can establish a bond that creates room for healing. A person who has actually faced a problem in his or her own life may have developed practical methods of coping that may be helpful to others.” (Bruce I. McDaniel, afterword, Specialist Fourth Class John Joseph DeFazio: Advocating for Disabled Veterans, pages 15-18)
Japanese American actress Midori Arimoto is participating in the dialogue because she is a
member of a military family:
“My father, a member of the greatest generation, served in World War Two. My brother is a Vietnam War veteran. Soldiers are my family and my heroes. I am grateful for these deployed soldiers' service and sacrifice and I pray for their safety.” (Midori Arimoto, interview by phone, 3/4/22).
Fred Hutchings, is active in social justice causes supported by the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Fitchburg, MA, and "feels honored to be included in this discussion with veterans of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan (Fred Hutchings interview by email, 3/4/22). "As of December 2014, 65,069 Americans have died in those wars." As a lay person concerned about the current deployment of troops, Fred is asking military leaders to consider “explicit lessons of Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan that remain unlearned and which would have prevented every single one of those deaths.” (Chris Mason, The Strategic Lessons Unlearned From Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, page 1:https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/2340.pdf). In the words of Senator Jay Rockefeller: "We have to ask the hard questions before, not afterwards, and get the right intelligence.” (Jay Rockefeller, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/jay_rockefeller_175597).
Psychologist and author Martha Reyes identifies with families of soldiers deployed during this crisis:
“My uncle Sergeant Pedro Luis Gomez and my cousin Sergeant Esteban Mendoza served in Vietnam and were exposed to Agent Orange in combat. My family did not lose these loved ones on the battlefield but both died after a long battle with cancer brought on by exposure to chemical warfare. I thank God daily for their disability rating, which gave them quality care and the dignity of shelter on their journey home to heaven.” (Martha Reyes, Specialist Fourth Class John Joseph DeFazio: Advocating for the Disabled American Veteran, 15-18).
“I pray for protection and safety for our soldiers and for God to give their families strength and peace of mind while they are deployed.” (Martha Reyes, interview by email, 3/4/22).
Olga Soler, Drug Counselor at Bridge House in Framingham MA., is participating in this
discussion explaining the risk factor for substance abuse in active military personnel:
“The most salient risk factor associated with substance abuse and the development of substance use disorders among military service personnel is active deployment in a combat zone.
Those who have multiple deployments may be at an even higher risk of developing substance abuse issues, as several deployments can have a cumulative effect in terms of the related stress and trauma. During deployment, service members may experience numerous traumas including witnessing death or serious injury of others, become seriously injured themselves, partake in hand-to-hand combat, etc.” (Scott Thomas MD, Substance Abuse in the Active Military Personnel,
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/occupational-stress-influences/military-substance-abuse).
“I encourage service members who are dealing with overwhelming stress, anxiety or depression to take advantage of free counseling available to military personnel. It's easy to get addicted to alcohol and drugs under stress. I overcame addiction and want to help others do the same.” (Olga Soler, interview by text, 3/3/22).
Pastor Gemma Wenger will host and moderate this discussion on Zoom opening with a hymn reminding
soldiers that God is on their side, (Chris Tomlin, Whom Shall I Fear, https://youtu.be/GozKQlKuyuA),
and closing with a chorus of Marines praising an awesome God (Soldiers at my chapel, Fort Benning
GA, singing “Our God is an awesome God"https://youtu.be/ajn-rDagXFc). A link to this youtube video
will be sent to you.
Please support the troops today in any way you are able and remember to pray for the peace
promised by the Prophet Isaiah:
And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the young goat, And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them. Isaiah 11:6 (NASB).
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