Bullets for the Battle

The Escort

The following story was passed along to me recently. The respect it shows toward our troops is deeply moving. It is important to remember and honor those who have died for our country. Their sacrifice gives us the freedom we enjoy to live the American dream … to build a new order for the ages. We must make this vision of our Founding Fathers our own!

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who’s been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

“No, sir,” he responded.
“
Heading out,” I asked?

“No, sir. I’m escorting a soldier home.”

“Going to pick him up?”

“No, sir. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I’m taking him home to his family.”

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn’t know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier’s family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, “Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.”

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.”

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud and grateful to be an American.

When I read the above story tears come to my eyes. Even after conducting many military funerals as an Air Force chaplain I am not ashamed to confess my tears for their service … especially for those who have died in action. We owe them a great deal … not just for what they have done … but also the debt to live more deeply for the cause for which they died!

So here is another personal and public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do … so we can live the way we do. It will be my privilege to salute them in person this Memorial Day, May 28th, when I am the keynote speaker at the Fayetteville National Cemetery memorial ceremony. The program begins at 10 A.M. at the Fayetteville National Cemetery flag pole area, 700 Government Avenue. Everyone is invited to attend.