By Tim Snyder
Church a ‘safe place’ for veterans
By Donald E.H. Marshall L
ike so many my age (a baby boomer), I find myself “sandwiched” between generations—and with a differ-
ent attitude toward military service in defense of our country. My father was a navigator in the U.S.
As faith communities we are gifted with
the resources best able to meet the warrior
Air Force, flying missions near the end of World War II and over Korea. His two brothers, my uncles, served in World War II as well —one was killed in Europe and the other died relatively young of compli- cations from wounds received in the war. Growing up in the ’60s, I would come to protest war
returning from battle with the message of reconciliation most needed.
rather than fight one. So it was a surprise, to say the least, when my son signed
up for the Oklahoma Army National Guard after getting a college degree. He eventually became part of its large con- tingent sent to the war in Afghanistan. My son, Michael, served his tour as a foot soldier in
one of the war’s more dangerous provinces, experiencing numerous engagements, retrieving the remains of fellow soldiers who were victims of a roadside bomb, and witness- ing things he has struggled with, in various ways, since his return a few years ago. Within three months of coming home, my son attended
a handful of funeral services for comrades who took their lives after returning to the states. As an ELCA pastor, I continue to struggle with issues
related to military involvement in other countries and with armed conflict in general. I haven’t been a proponent of our recent wars. But at the same time I have, as you might imagine, come to develop strong feelings concerning the country’s support—communities of faith included— of the troops sent to wage them. Of course it’s about more than simply
thanking those who put their lives on the line or displaying the flag on one’s lapel or
even standing and singing the standard patriotic hymn on the Sunday closest to a national holiday. Perhaps the church, especially, is being called to offer
the veteran a safe place—indeed, worship space—to fear- lessly address the often delicate spiritual and moral issues he or she is dealing with, sometimes long after the fact. As faith communities we, even more than Veterans Affairs, are gifted with the resources best able to accomplish this, meet- ing the warrior returning from battle with the message of reconciliation most needed. I invite you to begin a
dialogue with veterans of every generation in your midst, prepared to walk with them, no matter the distance, as the Lord heals the wounded heart.
Author bio: Marshall is a retired ELCA pastor living in Tulsa, Okla.
Donald Marshall’s
father, Donald W. (left); Marshall in his protest years; and his son, Michael, during his tour in Afghanistan.
November 2015 27
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