OK, So I thought I would be a good blogger. This blog event actually happened a couple of months ago. I jotted it down on a note pad and until now it was buried in the back of my briefcase. Today I blog it.
I had an interesting conversation at dinner the other night. I was talking to a bi-racial couple. We talked about what it was like 25 years ago when he and his wife first met. She was a White Aussie; he an African American. He was retired military. Our conversation about the difficulties being a bi-racial couple quickly segued to the military and the acceptance of diversity in the military. I had heard before from my fiance that growing up in a military family he never heard any condescending racial remarks. "They stripped you down to your underwear, gave you a haircut and a uniform and you all were suddenly the same." Larry, the black gentleman at dinner said the same thing. Larry grew up in the projects and to him the military was an opportunity to get an education, get out of the projects and do something productive with his life. He said it was the best thing he ever did for himself and his family. So, I guess my question to myself is -- Is the military a bad thing? Is it wrong to provide someone a purpose? I think we are all looking for purpose in this life. Whether it be in our careers, vocations, as parents, pilgrims or even soldiers......who is to say which choice is better? I don't have the answer to the military question. Perhaps it helps some individuals find purpose, find family, find a rhythm to their days. Could there be a way to change the purpose of the military and accomplish the same thing? Is it possible to change the focus from war to peace; from guarding our borders to building bridges?
It is interesting that I had this conversation with Larry. Why? Well, the prior week on a flight home I sat at a bar in the Boston airport (and I think I said before I don't always sit at bars) when a soldier started talking to me. He was 25 years old and going home to see his wife who he hadn't seen in 10 months. He was going to college and then to officer's training. He said that when he graduated from high school he had no self-discipline for anything but booze and parties. He decided to join the military. He saw this as an opportunity to become someone and to stay out of trouble while trying to figure things out. "I feel good about where I'm going and I'm proud of myself."
So again I ask, "Is the military a bad thing?"

God is interesting. I think God wants me to think more. On this same journey home on my short hop from Cincinnati to Louisville I sat next to a young man. And oh how young he seemed. He was 18. I recognized the manila folder I had seen many times before. In black block letters was his last name. This is the folder the recruits heading to Fort Knox carry. He was on his way to basic training and scared to death. He had never flown, never been out of the city he grew up in and never been away from his parents for more than a week. We talked about his decision and why he enlisted. He was restless and knew he wouldn't be successful in college. He wanted some discipline to help him mature. His parents were supportive. He continued to ramble on... When we deplaned in Louisville we walked together to the baggage claim. He called his mom to let her know he was ok and another mom had adopted him in the airplane and was showing him where to get his luggage.
I left both these men...really all three of these men thanking them for their service to our country, for their commitments and sharing my hope that someday our military would not be involved in war anymore but perhaps only humanitarian efforts.
So, I ask one more time........Is the military a bad thing? I don't have the answer to this question. All I know is I believe in Peace. And I will continue to pray that people will learn to build bridges and relationships and that war will be no more....