Going Home

Psalm 34:5 "They looked until him, and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed."

This is true and it is a reality for all of us here in Italy. We have prayed and believed and God has answered. The other reality is that yesterday was hard. They said it would be but they could not describe how hard it would be for all, and we could not have comprehended.

We arrived at the officers club at 3:00pm and met with the wives and families of the other fallen men. It is sad. Dads supporting daughters and parents of the soldiers in mourning. Many "stars" and their wives were there to give condolences and comfort. General Franklin, who has recently taken command of the base, is there and he is a believer. Thank you Father for his sensitivity. We fellowship with different families and meet many people in uniform whom I can not remember individually now, except they were all sharing our grief.

We are instructed to proceed to two buses outside which will take us to the hanger. Our bus is warm, but the sun will soon be setting and a chill is in the air. There is silence on the bus as we approach the airstrip where the huge plane has landed, the back opened, revealing it empty space soon to receive our one that we love so much. The honor guard for each man, six in all, are all standing at attention on one side, and various other military personel are positioned on the other. The families are all instructed to go into the hanger where there are heaters to keep us warm. Flags are held and procedure is followed. the first blue car comes and the pall bearers come forward to receive the body for transfer to the plane. That is hard. The Air Force casualities go first.

We know that Christian will come after the Air Force men have been placed in the plane. We dread seeing the blue van pull up. We hold each other's hands and keep our dark glasses on. I can not describe the honor with which the military conducts this ramp ceremony. The dignity and respect for their men is overwelming. The soldiers are crying too. This is a small bases and lives are so interwoven and connected.

Each family is escorted up onto the plane to the casket of their loved one to spend time with them before the flight to Dover. We are summoned to the front. We are a big group, This, to many, may look like the Nordic Mafia, tall, big, blond men and women all holding hands and marching forward to the dark cavern of the plane. We surround the casket and cry and hold each other. Rick prays through tears and we sing the doxology and I wonder what the lifting notes of victory sound like to those that are outside. Answer our prayer Lord. Victory and Life through the ashes of our tragedy. Elizabeth reminds us that Christian was a man of God and we have hope and encourages us to raise our heads and go in His light.

We return on the bus to the Officers Club and continue to fellowship with many people. Christian's warrent officer looks like he has not slept since the accident and Erik asks if he could pray with him. Comfort from the afflicted. Thank you, Lord. You have given us a hope that can not be taken away and we will not let it go.

Psalm 42:8 "Yet, the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life."