Posted on 03/28/2005 4:46:58 PM PST by SandRat
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOGISTICS AIRPORT, VICTORVILLE, Calif. (March 27, 2005) -- The sun crested over the sage brush and tumble weeds. Marines with nary a wink of slumber, due to the previous night’s mission, squirmed out of their sleeping bags and into the warmth of the morning sun. What made this morning different from any other at TRUEX 05-1, however, is that Marines weren’t waking to clear buildings or run convoys, typical Marine commitments in an urban combat environment. They chose to commit this morning to one of our nation's liberties: freedom of worship.
A hasty field chapel, nothing more than a carport in front of an abandoned house, served as the setting for a show of faith by the warriors of the Fighting 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Command Element Chaplain Lt. Edward Waldron, disagreed to the notion that the setting was less than ideal.
“This is a great church. Outdoors in God’s creation is better than any man-made building," he said as he gestured his hands to the skies and Earth.
"I don’t think there’s any better place (or time) to do it.”
Waldron, a former enlisted Marine sergeant, said he understood that the intense training schedule may have hindered some Marines' ability to attend the sunrise service, but was adamant to point out that religious celebration was major reason for fighting the Global War on Terrorism.
“This is what we’re fighting for," he continued, "It’s freedom of religion and freedom of worship. Some countries don’t have this right.”
Aside from Waldron's leadership, Fighting 13th Marines had their own reasons for worship.
“You can train all you want,” said Cpl. Micah Morgan, a line support specialist from MEU Service Support Group 13, “but in combat, it’s God who will save your life.” Morgan, a Colorado Springs, Colo., native, said the setting was far from his family’s tradition of hunting eggs and gathering for dinner, but emphasized why it was important for him to attend.
“In a time of war, we’re possibly going to die," he pondered. "But the realization that I’m going to live forever through God takes a lot of that fear away.” Although from a different side on the personal spectrum, Cpl. Jason Wells, also a line support specialist with MSSG-13, agreed.
“I came from a broken home, and we never really had any sort of traditions. I’ve always tried to stay close to God,” he said.
The two Marines gave up a chance this morning to build Basic Urban Skills (BUST), but realized it was their duty to fulfill each posture of honor, courage and commitment. “Being a Marine is hard,” said Morgan. “You hear some people ask you why you need to go to church when you could be training. It makes you question your commitment.”
Those Marines who struggled against fatigue, hunger and cold this morning in the high desert to attend Easter services won’t have problems justifying commitment. Waldron won’t either. He simply appreciated the majesty of nature, took in a crisp desert breath and smiled. “Jesus went into the field.”
A nice follow up to Easter.
Another good use for the desert.
Share it with brave men.
Thanks for the ping!
"A nice follow up to Easter."
Yes, it is. I hope you had a wonderful Easter, SandRat!
Nice follow up indeed. Thanks for the ping to this!
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