Posted on 03/24/2008 12:26:16 PM PDT by Albion Wilde
Washington, DC, Feb. 29, 2008—This after-action report is for a FReep at Walter Reed that took place in the pre-Easter season of Lent, a time when Christian believers are encouraged to make a personal sacrifice. It will also tell a few stories about what some believers are doing for and with the troops.
Recognition of "nature and nature's God" has been a matter of dispute in this nation since its founding. Christians disputed with deists in the wording of the Constitution, and the Western values on which our legal system was based. Religious values played a large role in the abolition of slavery and the Civil War, and later in the Civil Rights struggles, correcting what even the Founders regarded as a severe ideological compromise reluctantly enabled to expedite the founding of the nation. International socialist attempts at world domination begun in the latter part of the 19th century. Yet socialism and its cousin, communism, have failed to produce comparably abundant societies, in which submission to a benevolent God, rather than the highly regulated state, gives many Americans the heart to fight for freedom.
Blithely disregarding the colossal failures of socialism and communism everywhere they have been tried, lefties continue to point to any possible drawback to the struggle for freedom to plead their case for absolute control of mankind by secular governments. Now the free world is engaged with another totalitarian ideology that seeks global domination, radical Islam, the extremes of which many regard as a political movement hiding behind a religion.
Meantime, Americans are bending over backwards to avoid religious overtones to the discussion, because tolerance and freedom of conscience are two of our system's hallmarks. So much so that individual U.S. military chaplains are under strict guidelines about when and how they may acknowledge the lord of their belief system, and are engaged in attempts within their corps to define their roles with great care.
It's not hard to imagine that, whether going into battle or recovering from a wound or having witnessed the deaths of buddies in combat, many soldiers want and need pastoral care. As our culture changes from one that sprang from the Jewish and Christian spiritual traditions to one that tolerates an increased population from other traditions, many troop supporters are concerned to help soldiers who may want spiritual support. Several of us who visit the Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval Hospitals have met soldiers from all areas of the United States and from many faith traditions, including Islam. Inspired by their individual faith traditions or personal codes of ethics, believers and non-believers alike are reaching out to the wounded in a variety of ways.
Several FReepers have been engaged in praying actively for Walter Reed. A prayer thread led by Californian eaglesnest1 is dedicated to keeping Walter Reed — and the activities of FReepers, Gathering of Eagles, EaglesUp and other troop supporters across the nation — before God.
It would be difficult to overestimate the volunteer work performed by a number of FReepers from the DC Chapter, who shall remain nameless here. From raising cash or bulk donations to exploring how to fill gaps in the military care systems in place at Walter Reed, FReepers have provided cash and goods, collected donations from their churches or communities, and have made alliances with other troop-support groups so that donations can be funneled to the best uses.
Others of our DC Chapter FReepers have been actively seeking to help soldiers with PTSD. From providing a local contact person to keeping in regular touch by phone or email to driving soldiers on outings or hosting soldiers at local events or dinners out, FReepers are there with an ear or a shoulder. Several weeks ago, two Walter Reed patients wore their uniforms to a DC-area campus to attend a play, courtesy of tickets provided by a FReeper. One had been back from Iraq for two years, and the other for five or six months, but this was the first time these troops had worn the uniform out in public. With the support of the FReeper and her friends, they were able to do so without interference from anti-war sentiment on campus.
Our culture may be attempting to accommodate more persons whose beliefs do not square with traditional Western understandings (and it remains to be seen whether a culture can survive without a strong core of values, as we observe Europe's threatened cultural collapse); but religious understandings from the Western traditions run deep in our society. One non-FR group that is very helpful to the troops, and especially the wounded, carries a name that originated in religious tradition, but is now readily understood as just a benevolent part of our culture: Soldier's Angels. This multi-faceted donation and service group also maintains a Chaplain Support Team.
And for anyone who is interested in what a single Marine who lost his legs in Vietnam has been willing to do as a testimony of his faith, check out the story of Eugene Starks Roberts Sr., who is Running Across America for Jesus. Mr. Roberts is due to arrive in the DC and Baltimore areas in the coming weeks, culminating his run across the country on prosthetic legs. News of his run may serve as an inspiration to other troops who have lost limbs and have undergone prosthetic therapy at Walter Reed.
Honor Roll for this FReep:
FReepers: Albion Wilde, Angelwood, BufordP, Cindy-True-Supporter, Jimmy Valentine's Brother, PleaDeal, RonGKirby, Satin_Patriot, Tom the Redhunter, Trooprally [Mr & Mrs], VictoryNY. Lurkers: Bill from MD and Steve, a civilian employee at WRAMC.
Links:
Join us for the Walter Reed FReep 3rd anniversary,
March 28, 2008, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, Georgia Ave and Elder St NW.
If you would like to do something for the wounded but can't get to DC, FReepmail Tom the Redhunter.
BufordP's Archive of past Walter Reed Freeps.
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You’ve been an inspiration to us all. May God bless you and always be with you in your future endeavors. Thank you.
Thank you for all the things you and the others do. The D.C. group ROCKS!!
I guess the sign turned out OK. Thanks for the report and all your efforts on behalf of our young men and women.
ATTENTION! ATTENTION!
Another GEM from Abion Wilde
ATTENTION!
Thanks for the ping.
How did the time stamp for Post 3 come after Posts 1 & 2?
[Mr] T
Beautiful!
absolutely wonderful report/pix/mission dear FRiend. Thank you for BEING YOU!
Thank you for the report on another successful night at WRAMC.
I hope you find other satisfying ways to support the troops, as I do, when I am away from the area for so many months.
I hope we can meet this summer to say hello.
Thanks for all your fantastic work, FReeping and banners, Albion and I hope that one day you will return. Say hello to George Washington for me!
Oh no. I hate goodbyes. Thank you for all that you have done. May God expand your ministry to the troops in ways you cannot imagine. God be with you.
Thanks for the ping. GREAT post.
Thanks for a great after-action report on Walter Reed. Good luck and best wishes.
FReep On!
I am still waiting for the video of the pinkos getting ticketed from two weeks ago.
Wonderful AAR and pictures! That new sign is awesome.
God bless you and thank you for all that you have done at Walter Reed with those faithful and dedicated DC Chapter FReepers. Wishing you the best of luck in your future, whichever way you decide to support the troops.
BTTT !
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