My conference is over and I fly home tomorrow. I have found what happens in the informal sessions, actually the unsanctioned and unsupervised sessions is actually of more benefit to us old combat vets than any formal program or presentation. Maybe it’s the manner in which we do so. Most of my friends smoke cigars, I don’t, but I love a good beer. We have happened upon a great combination for late night discussions. Beer, Krispy Kreme donuts, cigars and for the classy folks a good Port wine. There is something about discussing experiences and really important stuff in a relaxed atmosphere as friends who each bring strengths to the table. Some of what we discuss is related to practical matters in military ministry as well as sucecess and survival in the institution. Likewise we discuss practical things which impact our lives in dealing with the institution of the Church.
The best of these times are wehn four to six of us can sit around and talk. We spend time discussing our lives, ministry, tell war stories and and simply be there to help each other out, sometimes to provide a safe place to vent. Tonight was good for me. I was still pretty ragged from the past day and pretty much opted out of our morning session and lunch. I needed this time in order to regroup. One of the things that I have learned the hard way is to know my limitations. As one of my favorite theologians, Harry Callahan says: “A man’s got to know his limitations.” There is a lot of good theology in Dirty Harry. I’ve learned that when my mind and body say I’m done, I am, unless of course it is a combat situation or I am in some other mortal danger. Knowing this I knew that I could not last another day of regular sessions, even taking account of the good will and intentions of those around me.
It has been a rough week but I am glad that I came. The bonds formed through years of friendship and shared experiences both in war and peace make this a unique fellowship. This is our brotherhood, this is our fellowship. We depart tomorrow and many of us will not see each other again for at least a year, maybe more. Some are already preparing for deployments to Iraq of Afghanistan and others could be called their or elsewhere at a moments notice. This is the life that we have chosen, we and many who serve with us and those who have gone before us. There was a time a number of years ago when many civilian clergy in our church quoted the speech in Henry V quite often. As a career military officer at the time I had problems with many who had never seen combat or lived the life of a soldier quoting that speech. I think it is really something for us who have served, especially those who have done so in combat. For us this has real meaning.
- “This day is called the feast of Crispian:
- He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
- Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
- And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
- He that shall live this day, and see old age,
- Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
- And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian:’
- Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
- And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.’
- Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
- But he’ll remember with advantages
- What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
- Familiar in his mouth as household words
- Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
- Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
- Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d.
- This story shall the good man teach his son;
- And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
- From this day to the ending of the world,
- But we in it shall be remember’d;
- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
- For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
- Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
- This day shall gentle his condition:
- And gentlemen in England now a-bed
- Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
- And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
- That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day”
This is for all my friends, and all who serve and have served. We few we happy few, we band of brothers.
The Inglorius Padre Steve's World 