March 31, 2007
US Army Behind, Continental Express Ahead
He will take no credit for this difficult decision. He will, if asked, give God the credit for his decision. He will also mention the faithful men of our church (and my older brother Tony), strong, consistent advocates for his welfare and for his family, who encouraged him scripturally when he began to see that the time had come to leave. He will grin with self-deprecating good humor and show you his gray-templed head and say it was time for younger men to go to war. All true, but not all of the story.
I am so thankful to him, and how proud of him, for this sacrifice. From the time we met, Alan demonstrated a deep, patriotic love for his country, for what it had been, and for what he hoped it might be again. In 1989, he left a civilian career as a civil engineer to attend the Army Aviation flight program. Twelve years and two war deployments later, Alan has turned his heart home, and I am so humbled and grateful.
Many things we lay down in this life are given up with relative ease. Others become part of the very fabric of our being, and removal is much like surgery, painful, with a slow recovery. Besides forfeiting that which he does best, there will be other personal repercussions from this decision. Yet not one negative word, not one sigh of regret has passed his lips. What an honor it is to be married to this man! I am more proud of him today than I have ever been.
Thank you AB, for your service to your country. Thank you for trying to impart a vision to those who have crossed your path over the years. Thank you for your faithfulness to share the gospel with your fellow soldiers, and those men you encountered abroad, while providing in every way for your family. Thank you for coming home. You are my hero.
