The War in Afghanistan

For those of you that know me well, you know that I have very strong
political viewpoints. You also know that I am not afraid at all to enter
into a political debate (is this a future calling?) However, this particular
post is not intended to “spew” all of my political disgrace with the current
Administration, but to express my sincere gratitude to the men and
women of the United States Military—especially to my nephew Kevin.

Kevin and his Unit boarded a plane on Monday evening, August 16, 2010
to begin their tour in Afghanistan. Kevin serves in the U.S. Army and is
a highly, specialized combat soldier—so specialized that it sends chills
through my entire body. The thoughts of my nephew, a part of my flesh and
blood, in the heart of extreme evil and chaos is unsettling to say the least.
Hence, this war has taken on new meaning for me—it becomes much more
personal.

Deployment is not new for Kevin. As a 26-year-old young man, he has
already seen combat in a previous tour to Iraq. Although deployment is not
new, this particular assignment will be very new. He will be embedded in,
what is currently considered to be, the most volatile country in the world.
With that being said, it’s only natural for one to ask—why are we there?

I think we may have forgotten as to why we are there—most that are not
reported in the mainstream media. We are there to allow freedom to ring in
an extremely oppressed nation (oppression that we as Americans have never
known). We are there to provide young girls the freedom to attend school.
We are there to build hospitals and clinics that will provide necessary and
much needed care to the Afghan people. We are there to bring safety and
civil order to a nation who is accustomed to living under history’s first-ever
terrorist-sponsored regime. We are there to provide food to a near-starving
nation. We are there to help build and refurbish roads, bridges, buildings,
and waterways. My reasons as to why we are there could continue—
even down to the establishment of the first post-Taliban baseball league.

From the words of President George W. Bush, “Our soldiers wear the
uniforms of warriors, but they are also compassionate people. Routing
out the Taliban is important, but building a school is equally important.
As Americans, we believe in the demands of human dignity that apply to
every culture, in every nation. All people deserve equal justice, religious
tolerance. This is true in America. This is true in Afghanistan. This is true
everywhere.”

We’ve seen in Afghanistan that the road to freedom can be hard.
Thanks to women and men, such as my nephew Kevin, Afghanistan has
entered a new era of hope. A hope that is built on God-given values.

With the above being said, my heart has peace in knowing that God is
in control in Afghanistan. And with God being in control, I can trust
Him to watch over and protect Kevin. After all, God is a God of hope.

No weapon forged against you (Kevin) will prevail, and you (Kevin) will
refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants
(Kevin) of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.
Isaiah 54:17