The 1% - Give Them The Respect They Are Due!

We hear a great deal about the 1%!  Usually it is couched in economic terms.  However, the 1% I am alluding to is the 1% I came to very much respect when I served as the Ecclesiastical Endorser for Military Chaplains for the United Church of Christ – the overseer for the selection and support of clergy serving as chaplains in the military.  It was through base visits that I learned a great deal about our men and women who serve in the military.  I learned about the life stories of privates to five-star generals, from seamen to admirals, from airmen to chief master sergeants.  Today fewer than 1% of our population serves in the military.  There are also 22,000,000 Americans who are veterans of the armed services.  Almost all of those who serve and have served have had no say in the military decisions made by White House residing administrations or Congressional bodies.  They are placed in harm’s way by others.  They do what they are commanded to do!  They respond to those suffering from tragic acts of nature and they do battle because of the heinous acts caused by misguided human nature.  They build bridges, schools, and hospitals to better the lives of the poorest of the poor and they risk their lives in doing battle with those with selfish and treacherous intentions.  They are from every racial and ethnic background.  Some have dropped out of school and others hold advanced degrees.  They have families who love them.  They perform valiant deeds!  They come home – some decorated with honors, some physically or emotionally challenged, some in flag draped coffins.  Most come home with stories they would prefer to forget!

Thank yous are fine………………..

But a listening ear and an understanding heart are also welcomed.

Thank yous are fine………………..

But support for the emotional and relational battles that come with re-entry is appreciated.

Thank yous are fine………………..

But training for a job or help in finding good employment are cherished.

Thank yous are fine………………..

But not looking down on us because of addictive behaviors that have come with war and the challenges of re-entry is treasured.

Prayers for us are fine……………

But putting your “boots on the ground” in the battle to make our lives whole and holy after we have experienced the brokenness and horror that comes with war is cherished.

Prayers for us are fine…………..

But heroic acts of sharing with those who have the least in the world, those who are most susceptible to following those who offer any release from their despair, are welcomed.

Please remember us and salute us for our service, but, do all that you can do in waging peace so that we can salute you for your service.

 

(I rejoice as I share with in the creation of a distinctive ministry with and for millennial veterans at First Congregational Church, UCC, Danbury, CT.  It is a church that shows that it offers more than spoken “Thank yous” for your service.  It is putting “boots on the ground” in the name of the One who commanded us to love one another and be peacemakers.)

Maybe a Little Less Self-Interest Might Work

Maybe a Little Less Self-Interest Might Work

As he reflectively and thoughtfully spoke about the tenuous relationship between the United States and his home country, Iran, Seyed Hussein Movsavian, former ambassador and now Princeton professor and diplomat involved in nuclear talks, reminded the overflow audience at The World Affairs Council Meeting in Hilton Head that until 1953 Iran and the United States had for almost 150 years a very close and cordial relationship.  It was in that year that the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was ousted by a coup orchestrated by Great Britain and the United States.  Mosaddegh was a progressive and benevolent leader who started a social security system, addressed issues of poverty, AND nationalized the Iranian oil industry.  The last proved to some in the west to be a bad idea! That industry had been under British control since 1913……Anglo-Persian Oil Company, later British Petroleum.  After the coup we and the British supported the corrupt leader, the Shah of Iran.  It was obvious from the crowd this recounting of history was an largely irrefutable fact.  He also mentioned that the United States has diplomatic ties with many Middle Eastern countries that are far more lax on human and women’s rights issues than Iran.  In fact many are designated as our “allies.”  He made some suggestions that he felt could stabilize the Middle East.

·         Avoid U.S. boots on the ground – let the boots be those of the Arab nations who have a big stake in defeating ISIS.

·         Support the U.N. in convening a conference with the five major Middle Eastern Arab nations and major western nations to discuss the political landscape of the Middle East and seek mutual answers to the most pressing problems.

·         If Israel is to be given full credibility in the Middle East, the Palestinian problem must be addressed.

·         Offer respect to Iran and other Arab nations.

I could not seem to let go of the coup caused by the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry.  It was probably carried out under the banner of protecting Britain’s national “self-interest.”  Recently I have heard that term bantered around a lot.  We will do what it takes to protect our national “self-interest.”  The meeting which I was attending was held in a church sanctuary.  “Self-interest” – it seemed so antithetical to the message that we proclaim as we reflect upon the servant-Savior we say we follow.  “Honor all” – give respect to friend and foe alike.  Look out for the interests and welfare of the other first.  I believe that is embedded in the heart of the Gospel.  What if we spent a portion of our “military” budget mobilizing against the poverty that is a significant root cause of much of the hatred and warfare.  “When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to loose.”  I am no “Pollyanna!”  There are bad people in the world!  But fewer than we often believe. There are duplicitous people in the world!  But fewer than we imagine.

I can’t stop thinking that putting a priority on the best interests of the other might be in our “self-interest.”  I love my country!  I cherish free speech even when I don't agree with what is spoken.  I celebrate the racial, cultural, ethnic diversity that is woven into the fabric of our nation.  But I fear we might not be Christian enough to follow the servant-Savior who thought of the interests of foreigners, strangers, outcasts, and perceived enemies first!

Prayer – God of love who knows no spiritual or geo-political boundaries, open our eyes so that we might see the common humanity that we all share.  Open our hearts so that we might be ready to be selfless servants in the bringing of shalom to your world. Amen.