Soldiers with Chests

I read a C.S. Lewis quote recently that says “We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.” “In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function."

 

While a sad and accurate comment about today's society, I was pleased and relieved to see that there are those in our world who are still upholding the very best traits of humanity - honor, virtue and enterprise.  At this weekend's Departure Ceremony for the 1-189th Battalion's year-long deployment to southwest Asia, I saw nearly 300 men & women who answered their own inner pull to serve their country, even at the expense of their own comfort, future, families and possibly even their safety and lives.

  

And, I saw the families and friends of those soldiers who reluctantly, but fully, support them and their call to duty. 
 

Over 1000 people attended the ceremony (including the governor, AG, congressmen and others) and were a graphic and crystal clear example of G.K. Chesterton's words: "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."  

 
Witnessing the depth of emotion both within my own heart and on the faces of those around us, proved that it is our commitment to our loved ones that drives us far more than any fear, hatred or misunderstanding of others.  Only the need to protect our loved ones and prove ourselves worthy can push us to make such sacrifices.

My heart was full - of sadness, of pride, of awe - for these soldiers with chests.