Dakota Beacon

This month my husband and I paid a visit to our Special Soldier at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.  Earlier I had written about the wonderful, uplifting experience of his graduation from Basic Training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

We were allowed on the Post by showing our ID’s, car registration, and proof of insurance.  The Soldier who passed us through the gate was a professional in his manner, his speech, and his patience; as my husband frantically searched for his current proof of insurance card.  When all the paper work had been checked, he smiled the greatest smile and directed us to our Grandson’s Dorm.

What a rush of pride I felt when I saw my Soldier strolling towards us.  He walks like a soldier.  He’s proud to be a soldier.  His basic training made him a man.... his AIT is making him a mature, professional and responsible member of our armed forces.  What a blessing he is.  I look at him and think, “He could be deployed.”  “He could and probably will be put in harms way.”  He’s my grandson!  How can that be?  He’s my boy, the light of my life.  Every day and night I pray for him and others like him.  They all have parents, grandparents, wives, husbands, children and extended families.  They all have someone like me who would give them his heart if he needed a transplant.

We had the awesome pleasure to attend church with our grandson and his suite mate.  The chapel is small but has a feeling of peace in it.  When we first arrived there were several obviously retired couples already seated.   We were greeted with such love and enthusiasm.  Slowly Soldiers started drifting in.  There ended up being forty-four soldiers in attendance.  When the singing began it was like a choir of angels.  They sang with their hearts and meant what they were singing.   Those wonderful young men and women, some who will shortly be deployed, were praising the Lord with their beautiful voices.

When you see a man in uniform, thank him.  If your neighbor’s spouse is deployed, offer to help however you can.  Invite them to share your Holidays.  Make them feel loved and needed.  We need them too,

I ask that all who read this to pray.  Pray for every young man and woman who may already be deployed; putting himself or herself in harms way for you and me.  Pray morning, noon, and night.  Our soldiers are the pride of our nation.  Bless each and every one of them.