November 19, 2001

COMMENTARY:
What can I do? Send a letter
___The recent events in New York City and Washington, D.C., have generated a revival of patriotism across our country. Seeing our nation's flag flying in yards, on cars and displayed from buildings just makes me feel good all over.
___Again and again, I've heard people ask: "What can I do? I want to do something meaningful. I want to make a difference." Retired veterans have contacted their branches of the service to see if there is a way they can volunteer. They have asked: "Are my skills needed? Can I make a contribution?"
___Each of us can do something significant. Let me share a very personal story with you.
___It was November 1969. I was a pilot stationed at DeNang, Vietnam. My wife and baby were a long way from me. It was a particularly bloody time in the war. Former friends were turning their backs on my wife and me. Vietnam was not a popular war.
___Thanksgiving was a black day. Our goal was to get a hot turkey to every Marine in the field. It was almost dark, and we had accomplished the mission when the 1st Marines came under attack. It was bloody. We scrambled to support those in contact.
___After midnight, I secured my aircraft in the bunker and was walking back to the Ready Room. That's a long, lonesome walk. I was discouraged. Why was I there? Who cared? Did it really make a difference? Why were so many of my friends hurting and dying? Where was my church?
___I got to the Ready Room and my mailbox. There were two letters. One I recognized from my wife. The other was a plain envelope. Immediately, I read my wife's letter. Quietly, I hurt for her.
___Then I opened the other envelope. It contained a bulletin from my church on Veteran's Day. Across the top was scribbled, "Jimmy, thought about you today. Mable." I cannot tell you for sure who Mable was. I think she was my Sunday School teacher when I was in elementary school.
___I went to the bunker, sat on top of it and read every word in that bulletin. In my mind, I sang the hymns, saw the old deacon pray and read the Scripture the pastor preached from. I reviewed the week's activities. I was real homesick.
___In the early morning hours, in my mind, I went home. I realized why I was a U.S. Marine, why I was in Vietnam. And I treasured my country and the freedoms we enjoy. I wanted the people in Southeast Asia to enjoy these same freedoms. In my own way, I worshipped that day in the bunker. I recommitted myself.
___The time Mrs. Mable took to send me a church bulletin really affected this Marine. It made a difference. I knew someone cared. It changed my attitude.
___The holidays are on us. Let's not forget our troops and their families.
___All it takes is a short note.
___Jim Furgerson, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, is executive director of Texas Baptist Men.

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