Miracles and my lack of faith

I finally got my sorry butt to Mass yesterday.  It was refreshing.  I have been going 1000 mph since LT C. left to go on leave and have had little time for anything but a few hours of sleep a night/morning.  While kneeling after receiving communion, I thanked God for my life, my wife, my family and many other things.  I also apologized to him for my lack of faith.  This is why.  Another one of our HMMWV's was hit by an IED the other day.  One of our medics, SGT F. was in the gunner's turret for some reason when it happened.  He was wounded very badly.  He took a piece of shrapnel to the head about the size of a child's finger.  It came in right under the edge of his helmet.  As he was MEDEVAC'd to the hospital, I prayed for his recovery.  I then spoke with those that were there at hospital and learned that the prognosis was not good.  They did not expect him to survive the next 24-48 hours.  I then prayed that he would not suffer unnecessarily if he was to leave this life.  One thing that everyone forgot is that SGT F. is one big strapping ox of a man.  He is the type of imposing figure that indicates without words to those who see him that he is not to be messed with.  Well, the very next day, SGT F., who should not have survived, had wiggled his fingers on his right hand and blinked his eyes.  The Battalion Surgeon, and the Neurosurgeon that operated on him both said that such a development was nothing short of miraculous.  SGT F. is now on his way back to Walter Reed Army Hospital in DC.  He is not out of the woods yet by any stretch of the imagination, and if he does recover, will never be the same.  But I will pray and look forward to him exceeding everyone's expectations again.  For those of you that might be of the praying persuasion, a few on Doc (SGT) F's behalf would be appreciated.

Comments

[Blackfive]

Prayers and thoughts for the good Sergeant are on the way! *check*

[Ann]

SGT F. is in my prayers and I am keeping Good - Positive thoughts for him! GOD Bless him!

God Bless you and yours also Major! I am also a Catholic! Keep your Faith!
Please keep up all your good hard energy draining work!
Keep fighting the good fight-
With all my Respect-God Speed Sir!

[Sus]

I'm so very sorry for your loss of a couple of very brave soldiers!!

I'll keep SGT F in my prayers, as well. Is there anything we can do for him and his family?

Keep the faith!

[Chris]

Thank you for sharing this.

I was told the story by my friend, but because of disclosure issues, was not provided with a name. We have been and will continue to pray for this Brave Soldier.

Take Care and God Bless.

[Em.L.]

Praying for Sgt. F as I am typing this and also for Pfc. Huff and her family. God bless all of our brave soldiers and you, too, Sir. Thank you for your weblog, it's one of the best. Take care and God speed all of you (and my son) home safely.

[HomefrontSix]

Where there is one miracle, there tend to be more. I pray that is the case here. God leaves his thumbprint in wonderful places.

[Cheryl]

Major K.,

Your friends and fellow soldiers are in my prayers and in my thoughts.

I've only recently found your blog and appreciate your thoughts and candor regarding the war and your sacrifice.

Please know you and your family are in my prayers. Your dedication to this great country and your sacrifice so that my family and those many others in this country may sleep well at night is never far from my thoughts and prayers.

I try to know as much as I can from you and other soldiers so that I might fully appreciate what you have given to this country.

You are all heroes.

There aren't words in the english language to thank you and the rest of our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, however -- Thank you.

May God richly bless and keep you.

A thankful American,
Cheryl

[JoeS]

Sgt F, God hold you in His hand.

Major, thanks for what you do, and thanks for talking about it.

God bless you, friend

Joe and Jade Sackett

[Jack]

Major K

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your brave soldiers. Special prayers for SGT F and his family.

Keep the faith, God works through you and your soldiers.

Thanks for your service.

[Randy G]

May the Lord watch over Sergent F and speed his recovery, and may his recovery be as complete as God's grace will allow.

Major K,

You and your men are in my prayers daily. Keep up the good work and may a legion of angels watch over you and your unit. Some advice from a born-again Catholic, do pray when you can...He is listening. And He is Awesome.

Randy G in Pittsburgh

[paully]

Hey. Maybe it's because I get to "speak" with you...but from where I sit, you have more faith than you think you do.

Heck, you have more faith than most people I know. It's why you are there and why you do what you do, every day, every moment.

Stay positive and keep that rare blend of confidence and humbleness going... Love you bro.

paully

[Paul5388]

MAJ,

I think your faith is intertwined with your concern for the welfare of your troops. If you didn't have faith, you would have written all of this off and not mentioned it to us.

We applaud being able to provide some assistance for those of you in harm's way, but we also appreciate being included so we can pray for specific situations and people.

Thank you!

[devildog6771]

Major K, I am truly sorry for the loss of your troops. I know what you are feeling. I lost my nephew March 5, 2005 in Kuwait when two Iraqi rammed his vehicle from behind at 100 mph with their lights out. He was raised in our home where his mom also lived so he was more a brother than a nephew.

As a Major with so many lives under you, I know you are suffering. As a friend, I know you are suffering, as are your other troops.

We are a good sounding board here. So use us if you need us. I wish there was something profound I could say that would help you all get through this but, there isn't anything. Except my belief in God and the Catholic Church. I can send you a small plastic Rosary and a booklet with the prayers if you like? It might give you some comfort. Just let me know on my blog and I'll send it. I would be honored.

Best to you and yours and all your troops. May God keep you all safe.

[devildog6771]

I want to share with you and your troops a couple poems I wrote. They aren't great but their message is clear. Also a poem my nephew wrote [the nephew who was killed in Kuwait]. I hope you won't feel imposed on. But they don't just apply to Mike and I know he would have been honored to share them. You can delete the posting after you read them if you don't like them.Here goes:

1]. "Doesn't Heaven sound like a beautiful place?
And I'm ready for the day I see his face.
Won't be no guns.
won't be no knives.
Hear the best preaching that
you ever heard in your lives."

[by: Mikie G. Rapper for Jesu]-PO2 MIchael J. Gray, USNR/KIA

2]. "HEAR MY PRAYER"

Please God, hear my prayer, I beg you on this day;
Look out for my little girls because I have to go away.

To a hot unfriendly land, I'm marching off to war;
The President says I'm needed on a distant shore.

Tell them dad's got something important to do, our country's issued its call.
I've got to make sure our troops get what they need to keep it safe for all.

Tell them often I love them and I'll be back before they know it.
That I don't want to leave them, but I have to do my bit.

Tell them I don't believe in war and I don't like guns and knives.
But there's these terrorists over there who have no value for human lives.

They've bombed our embassies, attacked our ships, and toppled the Twin Towers.
For over seventeen years they've waged their war; and tried to make us cower!

So tell my little girls be brave and say their daily prayers for me;
That before they know it, I'll be home with them upon my knee.

So once again I beg you God, look kindly on your soldier;
Look after my little girls God, please, hear my prayer!

[written by:seeker aka devildog6771]

3]. "WELL INTO THE NIGHT"

They gave their lives in defense of their country,never once faltering at their tasks. Heroes in every sense of the word, these brave souls have done as we asked.

They gathered their gear and went to the front, young men and women with fear on their faces, Soldiers with courage in their hearts, they set to their task, they began the hunt!

Through desert sand in a hot unfriendly land, they marched to the cadance of soldiers past. They fought our enemy, one by one,outgunned, outmanned, they fought to the last.

Noone can say that these brave soldiers, young men and women fron all walks of life, Didn't do their duty as they had been taught, with courage, honor, dignity, and pride, they met the challange of war, head on, they marched into the midle of the strife.

But not all our soldiers died on the battlefield as we know it, some were taken by thieves in the night. These thieves came, as cowards do, in the shadows of darkness.

They came and took our innocent friends and families, and yes, our troops, not as honorable soldiers answering the call of their God and country; but as crazed, angry men with hate in their hearts, seekers of power, position, and personal agendas.

They owe allegiance to noone, including the God they profess to follow; Though their war was begun many years ago, they escalated their campaign one morning in September.

They blend into the crowds like a second skin, suicide bombers, young and old; misguided murderers who like to pretend, they fight for freedom and Religion.

They put bombs on trains and under cars, they strap them to women and children; noone is safe from their depraved behavior, they ram our troops cars from behind, attack randomly from the shadows, all in the name of their holy Savior.

Yet through it all, with heads held high, and pride in their hearts, our soldiers continue to rally and fight; As one comrad falls, and another steps forward, they continue the fight,well into the night!

As I wrote this, I take credit for it....periodically I may add or make changes....hopefully improve it.....seeker aka devildog6771

I hope you all enjoy these. I know they arten't great but they are from the heart...dd

[Bert]

My thoughts and prayers to the Sergeant. WRAMC is a great place. I've been there in the past.

[Subsunk]

The burden you all carry is so heavy. I pray for SGT F. and PFC Huff. They are certainly among the finest of Americans and the best of our humanity. Whenever fine young men and women are hurt or die before their time, we are all burdened by their sacrifice.

But God watches over soldiers and small children. Those he chooses to take with him watch down on the rest of us, and, as angels, give us hope that when our time comes we will join them again and serve them as they served us so well. And their burdens fall away and they will all eat lamb in Paradise. For the Gates of Heaven are guarded by them and those who came before them.

Bless all of you as you look out for each other and for us. We pray desperately that you will all come home safely, and we will always fondly remember those who remain on patrol. Press on to Victory.

Subsunk

[Cordeiro]

Maj. K -
If you'll send me the details, I'll be happy to swing by Walter Reed and visit Sgt. F. It would be my pleasure to do so.

I can be reached at cordeiro AT gmail.com.

Best to you and your men.

[Mary]

Protestant prayers going out for you and your
troops. God Bless America and her citizens,no
matter their faith. One more reason to love our
land..

[toni]

Well that just sucks that your Sgt got hit. He must have a powerful angel looking out for him. With all the prayers going in his direction (mine included) maybe another miracle will happen for his long term outcome. God Bless.

[FVK]

A prayer for all Coaltion Forces:

Almighty God on High, omnipotent King, look down from Your Sanctified Abode, and bless the valiant soldiers of the Coalition Forces who risk their lives to protect the welfare of all Your creation.
Benevolent God, be their shelter and fortress, and to not allow them to falter. May harmony dwell in their ranks, victory in their battalion. Fill their hearts with faith and courage to thwart the evil schemes of our enemies and to abolish every rule of evil.
Protect them on land, in the air and in the sea, and destroy their adversaries. Guide them in peace, lead them toward peace, and return them speedily to their families alive and unharmed.
Grant us true peace in fulfillment of the prophecy: "Nation shall not lift up sword against another nation, nor shall they learn war any more."
Let all the inhabitants of the world know that Dominion is Yours, and Your name inspires awe upon all that You have created. May this be Your will, and let us say, Amen

Godspeed Major K.

[AFSister]

ah..Major. So sad.....
Your guys/gals are being hit hard. Sucker punched a lot lately, and I just hate it. I can only imagine how comforting it must have been to attend mass this week after the losses your team has suffered this week.

Be strong in your faith, and it will provide comfort in the most stressful tims of your life.

[Blueiguana7]

Major K,

I too am near Walter Reed and if it will help Sgt. F I'm happy to stop by. I have no idea what the visiting regs are over there but can check. Send details if possible.

Laurie

[NOTR]

Hang in there Major K. It sounds like this young trooper is gonna fight back to get his butt back to his comrades.

Never lose sight of the fact that as leaders we do what we do for our soldiers. Ultimately it is a higher power that looks out for the welfare of your guys. He takes over after you have done all you can really do.

Keep the faith, keep kicking butt, do what you can to keep the kids straight. No leader can do more.

[JMH]

You are like most people...who all struggle with our faith. The struggle makes us stronger. I'd share with you perhaps the most profound words a priest ever shared with me. "God loves you for the person that you are, not the person you think you should be." It still makes me cry sometimes when I think about him telling me that and how much it has changed my life. When you miss mass it isn't because you are lazy or ambivalent...God knows that. Everytime you think of him you you are praying, just keep that conversation going, even when it is filled with questions or agony.

[Dennis]

Major
I think I mentioned it before but my pastor has been assigned to the hospital in Germany. Did the SGT go there first? If so send me a private email and I'll be sure he gets a visit from this great chaplain. He probably already has but a second visit won't hurt.