Two years post retirement, I was sitting in the back of my drafting class listening to the young people. I couldn’t relate. What was important, perspective on current events, and the exploits of free time seemed so inconsequential.

Sitting among people of my church I felt displaced. There was a heavy Mennonite influence and the military view point was alien, sometimes shunned.
Yesterday, four years later, the church held a Thanksgiving service. Members of the congregation got up and spoke about what they were thankful for…

On a hot Afghan summer day, we came knocking at a local’s door. We had been informed that the resident was Taliban. He was quite upset to find a squad of Marines forcing their way inside his compound. In that culture, it’s an insult for another man to see the women of the family (even fully dressed), and they had nowhere to hide.

We went through everything, searching all his possessions. Digging up areas of his “yard” and garden where metal detectors had strong signals, we looked for buried weapons. After a significant probe, we came up with nothing.

As the human intelligence team came to find out, the source of the Taliban tip was a neighbor who hated the man we had terrorized.

Have you had someone force their way into your house, damage it, go through everything you own, and insult your family? Have you experienced war in your neighborhood that causes doctors to leave, crops to be destroyed, and your children to be starving?

These are questions and not complaints about a perceived dearth of gratitude. Perspective is everything. For those who have never had an unmet need, there can be a lack of compassion for the desperate actors who don’t see any way out other than the perpetuation of criminal behavior to provide for their family.

I have a friend that was born in the projects, lived with a single junkie mom, and started selling drugs to provide for his little sister and mother. He was too young to get a traditional job, not informed about how to get help, and did what he could to put food on the table. I’m not applauding such conduct but I do understand what desperation will push a person to do.

Be thankful for the basics.

I’m thankful for water, especially if I didn’t have to walk miles to get it and don’t have to boil it. I’m thankful for a house that has running water and that the water is hot when I want it to be. I’m thankful that I’m in America (despite what you might be thinking, this place still isn’t as crazy as the rest of the world) and not back in Afghanistan with mice running over my chest at night waking me up. I’m thankful that I have fresh food and can feed my children a nutritious diet. I’m thankful that my family has access to medical care and are alive and well. I’m thankful that despite a plethora of close calls, I’m still alive to see my kids grow up and be married to my best friend. I’m thankful that I get to tell the stories of warriors and honor the memory of those who paid the ultimate price. I’m thankful that I have friends who tell me like it is.

A veteran might lose their mind when observing a civilian in a Starbucks line complaining that a pumpkin drink is no longer available. A veteran may struggle with how trivial your problems seem- when they were 20 years old, they were leading men in combat: responsible for planning, logistics, maintenance, and the lives of those around them. Their decisions at the tactical level could have far reaching strategic consequences, affecting the Nation as a whole.

A veteran may swerve suddenly in their vehicle when triggered by trash on the side of the road. The memory of a friend killed by an IED brings nightmares into the day time. The smell of burning trash triggers anxiety and rage, the sound of distant jet engines mimic indirect fire overhead, a pneumatic hammer revives memories of firefights.

A veteran is thankful for a few hours of restful sleep, especially if it didn’t require medication to obtain. A veteran is thankful for the advancement of prosthetics so they can take care of themselves and maintain a semblance of independence. A veteran is thankful for access to mental healthcare. A veteran is thankful they get to live to fight another day.

So, when you wake up, give thanks.

If you’re gathered with family and friends this Thanksgiving, share with each other the deeper thanks. If you’re alone, call/message/text someone or talk to God; let them know you’re thankful for them. Be grateful for more than a full belly and football.

I would also be extremely thankful if you liked, shared, and subscribed to the blog!

Over.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
-1 Chronicles 16:34
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7
“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”
-1 Chronicles 29:13

Drew OUT!