There is a War On

Whatever your politics, or your stance on peacemaking as a Presbyterian calling, this week again reminds us that as our nation's soldiers fight our battles, "All give some; Some give all."

Our last veteran of World War I, Frank W. Buckles, died Sunday at age 110.

The US Supreme Court affirmed the First-Amendment right of a Christian hate-group, Westboro Baptist Church, to picket the funerals of soldiers, despite the pain caused to military families. The court held the church was "entitled to First Amendment protection because their statements were on matters of public concern, were not provably false, and were expressed solely through hyperbolic rhetoric."

In worship this Sunday, we will pray for the families of the eight soldiers whose deaths have been announced this week:
2/27 Army Sgt. Kristopher J. Gould, 25, of Saginaw, MI, in Ghazni province, AF
2/27 Army Spc. Brian Tabada, 21, of Las Vegas, NV, in Konar province, AF
2/27 Army Cpl. Andrew C. Wilfahrt, 31, of Rosemount, MN, in Kandahar province, AF
2/28 Army Staff Sgt. Chauncy R. Mays, 25, of Cookville, TX, in Wardak province, AF
2/28 Army Spc. Christopher G. Stark, 22, of Monett, MO, in Wardak province, AF
2/28 Army Spc. Rudolph R. Hizon 22, of Los Angeles, CA, in Logar province, AF
*2/28 Army Spc. David R. Fahey Jr., 23, of Norwalk, CT, in Kandahar province, AF
3/2 Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden, 25, of Williamston, SC, at Frankfurt Airport

God, we pray for families and friends and all who grieve for loved ones lost in war. Meet them in the valley of death’s shadow. Embrace them in the healing warmth of your comfort, grace and love.

And we will be mindful that the extensive deployment of our troops in the "all-volunteer" Army requires ongoing assignment of National Guard forces, many of whom didn't think they were making a commitment to fight overseas.

The Department of Defense announced Thursday the alert of two units to deploy as part of upcoming rotations of forces operating in Afghanistan and Kuwait. The scheduled rotation for these replacement forces will begin in early 2012. The announcement involves two Army National Guard brigade combat teams totaling approximately 7,520 personnel.

Specific units:
+27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New York National Guard
+55th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania National Guard

The 27th IBCT is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan to perform security force assistance, and the 55th HBCT is scheduled to deploy to Kuwait to provide force protection and convoy security.

Some people might wonder why I, as a conscientious objector to war, pay such attention to the lives and deaths of our soldiers. The reasons are many. My father and father-in-law proudly served in the Pacific during WWII. My grandfather was involved in both great wars. Many of my classmates in the "semi-military" high school I attended were involved in Vietnam. I respect the faith and choices of people who differ from me. Above all, I believe the nation owes full support and equipment to its soldiers while they are in the field, and responsible care when they return home--especially if they are injured.

There is a war on, and I feel called to keep that fact before us. If any of our congregation have family members serving anywhere in the military, wouldn't it be good to pray for them?

--Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor

*David was a member of Calvary Bible Church in Yorktown Heights, and tentative plans are for his funeral to be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Yorktown Heights.