30AUG04

I would say that I have more than a few reasons to revoke my belief in God and all that he entails. I have had more than enough misfortune and I realize that everyone has their trials but when they are happening to you it is most likely that you will be thinking no one has it as bad as youdo at the time. At Basic Training, I found myself in the faith...the first time I went to church at base sadly was to not have to do barracks detail, but during this Southern Baptist style service, I found myself more apt to go on...the next Sunday came and like a drug addict, I needed my fix again...I went a third time when I got to Bravo Company 2/60th and it wasn't the same. The Sparrow (song) got me through a lot of road marches...it was not as big of a fix...I was jaded. I had built up a tolerance. I found myself praying for the girls and often when things weren't going well. We all prayed those night before mandatory qualifications. My battle buddy, Gallagher, and I had bible study every Sunday intead of marching to church. I found myself searching for verses and making favorites...I was excited about it all. I learned the seven plagues and once again mustered up the courage and patience to decipher Genesis...which still eludes me after weeks of vigorous writing. Now it is all gone. It has faded away. Little Faith. Everyday in the sun, sweating and in pain, making bridges from twigs, and vehicles out of rocks. Paying to protect, sworn to make it right, most wont go home soon, some wont return again. These are soliders... my brothers and sisters.