Hello, Bless What’s Left friends. My retirement years have brought me to a new level of ministry. Occasionally I am asked by funeral homes and my local church to officiate services for families that have suffered the loss of a loved one.
This past Saturday it was my privilege to lead a Celebration of Life service for a Marine veteran. A young man whose life was shortened, from human perspective, because of acquired PTSD from his service in Afghanistan. As a platoon sergeant, he was the leader of twenty fighting Marines on the battlefield of that far away country. Sadly, while under his leadership one of his Marines was killed. He never really recovered from this event and for several years he fought daily to deal with the psychological trauma of this event. The addictions which he used to handle this stress eventually took his life.
I have officiated many funerals over the years of my ministry but this one was especially difficult. In part because it was so close to the passing of my son-in-law Neil. He too was a Marine who served our country well. His service included several years in Afghanistan with the State Department. Both Neil and this young man are men who loved our country and families deeply. This young man, only thirty-eight years old, loved his family deeply and longed to find a way out of his depression, fears, and confusion.
This Marine’s trials remind us just how difficult it is for some of our bravest warriors to come back from the battlefield to life here at home. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental and behavioral disorder that develops from a traumatic event which may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. Pastors are to have “the words to say” in times like these. But I confess that “words” didn’t come easily as I prepared the order of service and especially the homily I would give. What words of comfort can be given? What poems, musical numbers, or tributes speak to the grieving hearts of family and loved ones? With the Lord’s help, the service went well. There was a theme that grew naturally from each song, Scripture, tribute, sermon, and Military Honors. The theme was the Marine motto, Semper Fi. Family members testified to his devotion to our country and the freedoms we enjoy. Years ago, I lived on the small island of Vieques, Puerto Rico as a missionary radio broadcaster. The island was divided in three ways, Camp Garcia Marine Corp base, a Navy ammunition dump, and the civilian township. I happily served at the Crossroads Servicemen’s Center in the town of Isla Segunda. There I met many Marines fresh from boot camp. Each Sunday I attended services on the base. From this time on the island, I have experienced a deep respect for the Marine Corp. This memorial service brought many of these memories to my mind and tears to my eyes knowing the depth of love and devotion that had been given by this young man. After much reflection and prayer about what to say, I landed on a remarkable passage in the Old Testament from the book of Lamentations. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, wrote this book with tears streaming down his eyes. Tears seemed so appropriate during this service. They were expressions of love and comfort shared without words. And these tears were helped by what the prophet Jeremiah said: “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this, the faithful love of the
LORD never ends. His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3: 19-23 NLT
As I read this passage to this hurting gathering, it occurred to me that God is our faithful Father. He is alone truly “Semper Fi.” He is “Semper Fidelis” forever faithful; forever loyal.”
Amid our grief, this family’s loss, and my family loss, we are driven to affirm what seems so hard to accept that through it all God is faithful. As a wise preacher once said, “When you cannot trace the hand of God, you can trust the heart of God.” His heart is love—faithful loyalty to each one who knows and believes.
Let’s be reminded to show love and respect to those who serve and have served our country. We often don’t know the pain they carry and the troubles they bear. Let’s say with meaning, “Thank you for your service.”