Fallen Soldiers

In keeping with last week’s column theme, the subject will still be military personnel, but from a different point of view.  One topic not covered is how the church organization and its members respond to a death of a soldier killed in action. There is the funeral at this church, where he or she was a member, and those are the facts announced in the news media.

There is more. What is not detailed, other than the usually military-themed, activities of the church for everyone, is staff of grief counselors who go into action.  This is a dedicated group of trained and often licensed volunteers who have completed a series of workshops that deal with death and grief and people’s reactions to losing a loved one.  I have gone through all five of these state-organized trainings myself.

Ever since people have been fighting wars, the soldier, the main tool of an army, may be expended. People hope and pray that their son, daughter, father, mother or other close relative does not die as a result of combat- related injuries. While on duty the church should play an important role in supporting the troops, and ours does.  When one of our own is killed, the whole church suffers a loss, since people’s lives are so connected.

We have a special place of honor in the church for those who have been killed in battle for wars and operations that America has been involved with since World War I, about the time when our church was founded. Our grief counselors are experts in dealing with the subject, and I have specialized in how such a loss affects the youth of our church, the primary focus of my ministry.  I can say that there is a process, and it takes time, up to several years depending on the individual and the closeness of the relationship to the decreased.

I try not to think of how my children would grow up without me around.  I have made usual provisions, wills and such, but such a loss would affect them in many ways, however I have had people in my life leave this earth.  I can personally relate to military-related losses. As a counselor, I deal with all aspects of the departed’s life to get those living to realize how much good the person brought to the world in life.  In the end, this helps the persons grieving have a positive end to the cycle.  As a minister, I can explain that there is life after our death on earth, and our Heavenly Father has a place for each of us.

Peace be you with always,

Rev. Paul Abernathy

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” -2 Peter 1:2

Contact Paul Abernathy at paulabernathy@gmail.com.

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