An Email From Iraq
Editor`s Note: The writer is my former student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He was serving as Youth Minister at FBC Guntersville, Alabama, when his National Guard Unit was activated for duty in Iraq. This recent email was shared by a relative, who is a member of that church.
Hey gang, how is everything on that side of the world?
I hope things are going great. I just got finished with my 10am service and it was awesome. We have a great praise band led by a Major General and they do a great job. This morning I spoke on prayer and boy, do we need that right now.
This last week has been very difficult. Monday two soldiers in my unit were killed. These guys were so young, only 20 & 25. They have only been in Iraq four weeks. I was out at the TMEP (Theatre Mortuary Evacuation Point) for two nights waiting for the "angels" (that is what Marines call their fallen) to arrive. While I was there they brought two other "angels" in from another unit.
As I was helping the mortuary affairs soldiers log in their personal effects, I noticed the picture one was carrying. It was a picture of his two young girls. I broke down, because they looked like my Calynn & Campbell.
Early Thursday morning I did the RAMP (a short service by the chaplain consisting of scripture & prayer, before the "angels" are sent back to the states). The two were escorted home by their best friend, whom the family had requested. As I sat and talked to the friend about his responsibilities and duties as an escort, I thanked God that this wasn`t me. This young man has to escort his two best friends bodies home, bury them, and then come back to the fight. What a heavy burden.
This is the price of freedom! I never really understood that until I came over here. I have already seen things I prayed I never would have to see. I pray God will give me the strength to make it through this war. I have to, because the soldiers look to their Chaplain during these times and I have to stay strong. It is just so hard, because we are human too.
I read Psalm 91 every day and encourage my soldiers to do so as well. It has become known as the soldier`s prayer.
We need your prayers now more than ever. With the election coming up, we have been told to expect more violence. I know you are praying, because I get your emails. They are so encouraging. I told Lisa that I look forward to them. It is how I make it day by day. Yesterday I got a package from Lisa. It contained a video that she had made of the kids. She also videoed some of the kids at church. It was great. I sat there and watched it three times, wishing I could be there, but knowing that God has me here for a reason.
Well I guess I better close for now. I have just went under 100 days until I get to come home for R & R. I love each one of you and thank you for the prayers. See you in January.
Love Greg [Chaplain (Major) Gregory J Long]
