This will more than likely be my last post for this "Mission". I'm within 6 days of completing my 179 day tour here at Dover Air Force Base. All my chaplains departed for their respective homes today. Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Rick Cavens is headed for Anchorage Alaska. Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Paula Payne is bound for Chicago Illinois. Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Doug Arendsee has departed for Cheyenne Wyoming. These are my friends, my chaplains, my pastors. They were also my family during these past 6 months. May God bless their travels as they return home to their families.
As a team, we provided dignity, honor and respect for over 318 fallen heroes and their families during our time here at Dover. We performed the Dignified Transfers in brutal 110 degree days in the summer months. We held umbrellas and braved wind & horizontal rains in Nor'easter travelling up the coast in the fall. We stood facing the frigid, freezing winds of this winter. The bond we formed while performing this mission is one that cannot be understood, or grasped by any outsider.
The new team is here and we are quickly introducing them to the rigors of this mission. They have been briefed and are now shadowing us on the mission essentials. We also took them on a tour today of the mortuary. Interesting how they took deep breaths as we entered each room and section of the mortuary. I remember those days. I never thought I would make it through this deployment. I honestly thought my emotions and senses would get the best of me and force me to avoid the gruesome aspects of this mission. However, with enduring support and faith in my team, I developed a resiliency, which gave me the ability to continue working effectively in all areas and make measurable contributions along the way. I pray that will be the same outcome for the new team here in place. It will take time for them to adapt, as it did for all of us, but over the course of time, they will find their niche and flourish.
The goodbyes are, by far, the hardest part of crossing the finish line. I have grown so very close to my colleagues here out of necessity. We bond together because we have too. You can't work on a mission such as this without leaning on people to help you process all that has passed before your eyes. The experience here is better shared across many like minded people, than shouldered alone. The things I saw, smelled and shared with my friends here, I will share with no other. That is the tie that binds us together. We are the only ones that truly know the impact and effect from the experiences unique to this place. I will carry their faces, their words and their memories with me forever.
If you have read and followed me these past six months, I thank you. I know these have not been the most uplifting accounts to read, but I hope they have at least been impactful. I hope they have opened your eyes and caused you to think about another aspect, another dimension of what happens as result of war. After our experience here, we have come to believe that there is more than one way to be wounded. One life lesson above all...... for every breath you take, give thanks to God.
Peace be with you.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
God Whispers - By Stephen Prasser
I decided to try and sum up my tour here at Dover with a poem. I'm not a skilled poet by any means, but I think it turned out fairly well.
God Whispers
By Stephen Prasser
In the beginning such a calling so deep in the soul.
“Go serve, make a difference…..”
“Fill someone, something broken, shine forth light”
Rebuild lives that one day may be whole.
The phrases, so clear, will go with me each day,
“I’ll remember you,” one mother said,
“Call your momma,” another pled.
“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this,” all would agree,
“I’m just a kid,” was also cried out to me.
At first, thoughts questioned, could this be all real?
Or, a nightmare….
A tsunami of emotions forcing us to feel.
We bleed just like they do, grief spilling forth among air.
More for some, And less for others, yet all we still must bear.
We are all witnesses to God’s work in the garden of sorrows.
The fruit of life at all stages of flourishing and withering before us.
Before my mind’s eye a wall of images leading to endless tomorrows.
Each one a sunset of life taken in season and purpose of which He owns.
Mornings bring reality, mercifully dulled by numbness and shock.
Oh, God, how can I endure this un-welcome, un-acceptable, un-movable situation?
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden…..”
A quiet wisp of words descend “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
Through it all I hear Him and listen, still and quiet in my mind.
God whispers some beauty, which if I seek, I can find.
“Don’t worry about tomorrow” “Trade your weakness for my strength”
“My love will carry you through” faith will endure all things no matter the length.
God writes his signature on all creation - on every child, with care.
Look to the heavens, you’ll find promise and comfort there.
The Fallen are all home at last, their journey now complete,
“My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” a blessing oh so sweet.
The spirit brings us to communion for just a moment brief in time,
You’ve changed a life or two, but especially this life that’s mine.
Dear one, as your journey continues, a new path you’re called to steer,
God whispers and walks beside you, I pray you’ll keep him near.
Do you know that God whispers?
swp 2010
God Whispers
By Stephen Prasser
In the beginning such a calling so deep in the soul.
“Go serve, make a difference…..”
“Fill someone, something broken, shine forth light”
Rebuild lives that one day may be whole.
The phrases, so clear, will go with me each day,
“I’ll remember you,” one mother said,
“Call your momma,” another pled.
“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this,” all would agree,
“I’m just a kid,” was also cried out to me.
At first, thoughts questioned, could this be all real?
Or, a nightmare….
A tsunami of emotions forcing us to feel.
We bleed just like they do, grief spilling forth among air.
More for some, And less for others, yet all we still must bear.
We are all witnesses to God’s work in the garden of sorrows.
The fruit of life at all stages of flourishing and withering before us.
Before my mind’s eye a wall of images leading to endless tomorrows.
Each one a sunset of life taken in season and purpose of which He owns.
Mornings bring reality, mercifully dulled by numbness and shock.
Oh, God, how can I endure this un-welcome, un-acceptable, un-movable situation?
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden…..”
A quiet wisp of words descend “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
Through it all I hear Him and listen, still and quiet in my mind.
God whispers some beauty, which if I seek, I can find.
“Don’t worry about tomorrow” “Trade your weakness for my strength”
“My love will carry you through” faith will endure all things no matter the length.
God writes his signature on all creation - on every child, with care.
Look to the heavens, you’ll find promise and comfort there.
The Fallen are all home at last, their journey now complete,
“My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” a blessing oh so sweet.
The spirit brings us to communion for just a moment brief in time,
You’ve changed a life or two, but especially this life that’s mine.
Dear one, as your journey continues, a new path you’re called to steer,
God whispers and walks beside you, I pray you’ll keep him near.
Do you know that God whispers?
swp 2010
Back to the Future 2010
Well, once again, it has been some time since I posted about my experiences here at Dover AFB. I can only say that things have continued to be busy as ever and the days and weeks just slip away without much notice. We have seen nearly 280 fallen in the last 5 months or so. Given that my tour is only 179 days (6 months), well you can do the math and see that we've had a fallen military member arrive here every single day and on average more than one at a time since I began my tour here. That is staggering. What is even more staggering is that there is an entire world out there that is oblivious.
Soon, I will be departing Dover AFB and returning to what was once normal to me. Safe to say, however, that knowing, seeing and living what I've been a part of for the last 6 odd months will follow me all the days ahead changing all that was once normal. 280+ souls passed before me and you just can't help but be moved and changed by that many heroes. I will remember them, their families, their stories, their heroism, their dedication and their sacrifice as long as I live.
Today, was a particularly interesting experience. A veteran from the Vietnam war was brought to Dover as part of an investigation initiated by his son. The veteran was named Lance Corporal Wyatt. He was born in 1947 and killed in South Vietnam June 11, 1968 at the age of 21. There was a question, apparently, as to how he died, so the son called for this investigation to take place. Lance Corporal Wyatt was exhumed from his resting place in Missouri and flown to Dover AFB for a post mortem autopsy. Lance Corporal Wyatt had been laid to rest for 42 years since his death in 1968.
I watched as they removed his uniform and prepared his body for the autopsy. It was absolutely astonishing at how amazingly preserved his remains were. All of the doctors, morticians, forensic pathologists, medical examiners and imbalmers were there to witness this very unique event. They were all in awe of how incredible the preservation was, especially given the technology of the late 60's compared to today. Whoever prepared the remains did an amazing job.
What was even more interesting and amazing to consider was that Lance Corporal Wyatt's son, never met his father. His father died before he was born. So, as some of the folks in the room were discussing, the uniform was to be cleaned as best as possible and returned to the family for safe keeping. Also, after the autopsy and findings, they were to put him in a new uniform and prepare him for burial again sometime in the near future. It is my understanding that his remains were in such good shape that he was actually viewable!! So, we were guessing that the son would want to view his father before re-inturnment. Imagine you're 42 years old and you are going to see your father, whom you've never laid eyes on before. Only when you see him, you're seeing him as a 21 year old man, who died before you were born! How bizarre, yet incredibly interesting is that? The more I think about it the more amazing (and weird) it becomes.
Anyway, I thought I'd share that unique, yet interesting experience with you. God certainly works in very interesting and mysterious ways.
I'm beginning to countdown my days left here at Dover AFB. Not counting today, I have only 17 days left.
If I don't post again before the Christmas holiday, I want to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas.
Soon, I will be departing Dover AFB and returning to what was once normal to me. Safe to say, however, that knowing, seeing and living what I've been a part of for the last 6 odd months will follow me all the days ahead changing all that was once normal. 280+ souls passed before me and you just can't help but be moved and changed by that many heroes. I will remember them, their families, their stories, their heroism, their dedication and their sacrifice as long as I live.
Today, was a particularly interesting experience. A veteran from the Vietnam war was brought to Dover as part of an investigation initiated by his son. The veteran was named Lance Corporal Wyatt. He was born in 1947 and killed in South Vietnam June 11, 1968 at the age of 21. There was a question, apparently, as to how he died, so the son called for this investigation to take place. Lance Corporal Wyatt was exhumed from his resting place in Missouri and flown to Dover AFB for a post mortem autopsy. Lance Corporal Wyatt had been laid to rest for 42 years since his death in 1968.
I watched as they removed his uniform and prepared his body for the autopsy. It was absolutely astonishing at how amazingly preserved his remains were. All of the doctors, morticians, forensic pathologists, medical examiners and imbalmers were there to witness this very unique event. They were all in awe of how incredible the preservation was, especially given the technology of the late 60's compared to today. Whoever prepared the remains did an amazing job.
What was even more interesting and amazing to consider was that Lance Corporal Wyatt's son, never met his father. His father died before he was born. So, as some of the folks in the room were discussing, the uniform was to be cleaned as best as possible and returned to the family for safe keeping. Also, after the autopsy and findings, they were to put him in a new uniform and prepare him for burial again sometime in the near future. It is my understanding that his remains were in such good shape that he was actually viewable!! So, we were guessing that the son would want to view his father before re-inturnment. Imagine you're 42 years old and you are going to see your father, whom you've never laid eyes on before. Only when you see him, you're seeing him as a 21 year old man, who died before you were born! How bizarre, yet incredibly interesting is that? The more I think about it the more amazing (and weird) it becomes.
Anyway, I thought I'd share that unique, yet interesting experience with you. God certainly works in very interesting and mysterious ways.
I'm beginning to countdown my days left here at Dover AFB. Not counting today, I have only 17 days left.
If I don't post again before the Christmas holiday, I want to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thoughts & Prayers
Here are more fallen heroes since the last list that I posted. We continue receiving fallen warriors each and every day. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.
Spc. Brett W. Land, 24, of Wasco, CA (30 Oct)
Spc. Jonathan M. Curtis, 24, of Belmont, MA (1 Nov)
Pfc. Andrew N. Meari, 21, of Plainfield, IL (1 Nov)
1st Lt. James R. Zimmerman, 25, of Aroostook, ME (2 Nov)
Sgt. 1st Class Todd M. Harris, 37, of Tucson, AZ (3 Nov)
Spc. James C. Young, 25, of Rochester, IL (3 Nov)
Spc. Blake D. Whipple, 21, of Williamsville, NY (5 Nov)
Sgt. Michael F. Paranzino, 22, of Middletown, RI (5 Nov)
Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson, 21, of Arvada, CO
(4 Nov)Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm, 22, of Flagstaff, AZ (4 Nov)
Pfc. Shane M. Reifert, 23, of Cottrellville, MI (6 Nov)
Lance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs, 21, of Sierra Vista, AZ (6 Nov)
Staff Sgt. Jordan B. Emrick, 26, of Hoyleton, IL (5 Nov)
Sgt. Aaron B. Cruttenden, 25, of Mesa, AZ (7 Nov)
Spc. Dale J. Kridlo, 33, Hughestown, PA (7 Nov)
Sgt. Jason J. McCluskey, 26, of McAlester, OK (4 Nov)
2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly, 29, of Tallahassee, FL (9 Nov)
Lance Cpl. James B. Stack, 20, of Arlington Heights, IL (10 Nov)
Lance Cpl. Dakota R. Huse, 19, of Greenwood, LA (9 Nov)
Senior Airman Andrew S. Bubacz, 23, of Dalzell, SC (12 Nov)
Cpl. Shawn D. Fannin, 32, of Wheelersburg, OH (12 nov)
Sgt. Edward H. Bolen, 25, of Chittenango, NY (10 Nov)
Spc. Shannon Chihuahua, 25, of Thomasville, GA (12 Nov)
Spc. David C. Lutes, 28, of Frostburg, MD (11 Nov)
Staff Sgt. Juan L. Rivadeneira, 27, of Davie, FL (12 Nov)
Cpl. Jacob R. Carver, 20, of Freeman, MO (12 Nov)
Spc. Jacob C. Carroll, 20, of Clemmons, NC (12 Nov)
Staff Sgt. Javier O. Ortiz Rivera, 26, of Rochester, NY (16 Nov)
Staff Sgt. Kevin M. Pape, 30, of Fort Wayne, IN (16 Nov)
Spc. Shane H. Ahmed, 31, of Chesterfield, MI (14 Nov)
Spc. Nathan E. Lillard, 26, of Knoxville, TN (14 Nov)
Spc. Scott T. Nagorski, 27, of Greenfield, WI (14 Nov)
Spc. Brett W. Land, 24, of Wasco, CA (30 Oct)
Spc. Jonathan M. Curtis, 24, of Belmont, MA (1 Nov)
Pfc. Andrew N. Meari, 21, of Plainfield, IL (1 Nov)
1st Lt. James R. Zimmerman, 25, of Aroostook, ME (2 Nov)
Sgt. 1st Class Todd M. Harris, 37, of Tucson, AZ (3 Nov)
Spc. James C. Young, 25, of Rochester, IL (3 Nov)
Spc. Blake D. Whipple, 21, of Williamsville, NY (5 Nov)
Sgt. Michael F. Paranzino, 22, of Middletown, RI (5 Nov)
Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson, 21, of Arvada, CO
(4 Nov)Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm, 22, of Flagstaff, AZ (4 Nov)
Pfc. Shane M. Reifert, 23, of Cottrellville, MI (6 Nov)
Lance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs, 21, of Sierra Vista, AZ (6 Nov)
Staff Sgt. Jordan B. Emrick, 26, of Hoyleton, IL (5 Nov)
Sgt. Aaron B. Cruttenden, 25, of Mesa, AZ (7 Nov)
Spc. Dale J. Kridlo, 33, Hughestown, PA (7 Nov)
Sgt. Jason J. McCluskey, 26, of McAlester, OK (4 Nov)
2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly, 29, of Tallahassee, FL (9 Nov)
Lance Cpl. James B. Stack, 20, of Arlington Heights, IL (10 Nov)
Lance Cpl. Dakota R. Huse, 19, of Greenwood, LA (9 Nov)
Senior Airman Andrew S. Bubacz, 23, of Dalzell, SC (12 Nov)
Cpl. Shawn D. Fannin, 32, of Wheelersburg, OH (12 nov)
Sgt. Edward H. Bolen, 25, of Chittenango, NY (10 Nov)
Spc. Shannon Chihuahua, 25, of Thomasville, GA (12 Nov)
Spc. David C. Lutes, 28, of Frostburg, MD (11 Nov)
Staff Sgt. Juan L. Rivadeneira, 27, of Davie, FL (12 Nov)
Cpl. Jacob R. Carver, 20, of Freeman, MO (12 Nov)
Spc. Jacob C. Carroll, 20, of Clemmons, NC (12 Nov)
Staff Sgt. Javier O. Ortiz Rivera, 26, of Rochester, NY (16 Nov)
Staff Sgt. Kevin M. Pape, 30, of Fort Wayne, IN (16 Nov)
Spc. Shane H. Ahmed, 31, of Chesterfield, MI (14 Nov)
Spc. Nathan E. Lillard, 26, of Knoxville, TN (14 Nov)
Spc. Scott T. Nagorski, 27, of Greenfield, WI (14 Nov)
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