Jane Cook - Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan

I stepped out of my bunk area. The sun was bright, brighter than I could remember any other morning. It was about 0800 hrs. I proceeded to walk down the road toward my HQ to report for duty. I was alone with my thoughts and the surreal feeling of being in a combat zone when all of a sudden, BOOM, an RPG slammed into the wall about one hundred feet behind me. I stumbled for a moment and pulled up my weapon. The guard towers began to engage immediately, but all I could think was “this was it” my body was shaking and heart was pounding harder and harder as I took a knee behind a wall and regained my composure.

The quick reaction force (QRF) rushed past by me in a hummer, and once I saw the situation was under control, I picked myself up and ran back to my HQ with my gear. I told my staff sergeant the story, and he thought it was a good idea that since I was there to send me and two other Marines to go and brick up the wall. We did, but I will never forget my instant reaction when the RPG impacted that wall. I remember saying the prayer and being calmed by it. I am Roman Catholic, but I think a man of any faith could appreciate the sense of calm that prayer brings. I was scared but still ready to do my duty.

I am currently an army reservist serving with a transition team in Iraq. I still have the same dog tags with the same medals only now I wear a gold cross around my neck and read from religious and inspirational books.

I look back at my first trip here, and I can see so much progress. I can say I lived to see change in the people and the country. I chose to put my self here in service to my country and remind myself every day that God is with me and watches over our families and us. I know with certainty that no matter what happens I am safe. The U.S. military provides a blanket of security for the nation as God provides security for us.

Dear Lord, please replace our fears with faith, our anxiety with peace, our dread with joy, and our questions with courage.

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

I was, “the ol’ man” at airborne school. Thirty-four years old was almost twice the age of the average student. Ft. Benning in October was not bad at all, but the mornings could be a little cold. We gathered in formation before 5 AM. Shorts and short sleeves were the standard uniform for morning Physical Training. We stood there shivering as the Black Hats drank their coffee inside. Then, slowly at first, they came outside and checked each line to account for all the students.

The formation was brought to attention. The accountability reports were called off and then one of the black hats began to yell out the Soldier’s Creed. Everyone joined in by the third word…

I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment, and myself.

I am an expert, and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.

To hear three hundred men yell this out in unison was awesome to behold. Everyone there had different backgrounds; some had different political beliefs and religious convictions, but they were drawn together in that creed. This is a clear representation of the American soldier. These principles, defined in blood by generations past, enable soldiers to do incredible things during times of exceptional trials and stress. It is a source of strength.

This is repeated every morning across our nation as young men and women prepare for their day. The author of strength has been faithful to provide all we need when facing our adversaries.

Father, arm me with your strength. Allow me to remain true to you and to those that rely on me.

“You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet.” (Psalm 18:39)

In the middle of the Soldier’s Creed are four lines that are referred to as the warrior ethos. It is central to the character of a soldier. It elevates cause above person. Selflessness and service are its underpinning. It further motives the soldier to do what must be done even if all appears to be lost.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

The Bible states that we are made in the image of God (Genesis 9:6). Images of angelic paintings with flowing white garments are hard for a soldier to relate to. At times we don’t feel angelic, and I have yet to see a clean uniform outside the wire.

The Lord delivered the Israelites from Egypt in one of the most dramatic ways that could have been imagined. Moses stretched out his hand, and the sea parted. All the Israelites passed on dry ground, and then God looked down on the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and “threw them into confusion” (see Exodus 14). In the Egyptian’s words, “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” The Egyptians tried to flee but when Moses stretched his arms out again the sea engulfed them. The escape from and defeat of the Egyptians were complete.

Exodus 15 records a new song that Moses and the Israelites sang to the Lord immediately following their deliverance. It provides a different image of God, one which warriors today can take strength in. We are after all made in His image.

God give me the strength to be a warrior. I know I am made in your image. By your example and by your name I have strength to fight. Give me, Father, the strength to show your mercy and grace when called for and the intestinal fortitude to complete my mission.

“The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.” (Exodus 15:3)

I spent a lifetime in law enforcement. I retired from the Fairfax County Police Department, just outside Washington D.C., with twenty-six years of service. During my tenure I was the commander of our police academy. Training was a large part of my background. The U. S. Department of Justice needed trained peace officers to train Iraqis in law enforcement after the military took control of the government in Iraq. Saddam had plenty of henchmen but few law enforcement officers. We needed to train a generation of law enforcement officers to protect the newly found freedom of the Iraqi people.

I was there in January when the first interim elections were held. What an amazing experience to see the Iraqis going to the polls! The candidates were running for positions using the same system that we use handing out flyers and putting up posters. For once, it wasn’t a fixed election. Excited voters would come back to the training academy and say, “Mr. Skip, Mr. Skip, I voted! I voted!” Their enthusiasm was truly inspiring.

We had a number of Iraqi policemen who had graduated from the program and had been asked to stay on to become trainers. They had to have completed the trainer program where we trained them to be instructors in western concepts of law enforcement. Sadly, one of my best Iraqi trainees was murdered right in his doorway. He was killed because he was working with Americans. This man was really loved by his fellow staff members and the students that he trained. Everyone pitched in to buy a huge black banner to honor him and placed it at the Academy. He was an amazing man who sacrificed everything for peace in his community.