Veteran

I went into the Coast Guard at the tail end of the Vietnam war. I was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska on the Coast Guard cutter Storis. And even though the war in Vietnam was winding down, the Cold War with Communist Russia was going strong. We spent much of our time patrolling for Soviet ships. We had training on NBC warfare. (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical warfare.) I remember once, for a whole week, we had training with the US Navy. There were two or three Naval ships there in the area with two Naval Officers on board my ship for the training. Even without this week long training, we would very often have drills, including General Quarters, which includes fire, warfare, and even sometimes abandon ship drills.

After a while, I was transferred with the Coast Guard to Seattle, and a few years later, went into the Army National Guard where I had more training about the USSR. Then, after I was all finished with the military, I started to have health issues.

A few years ago, I started seeing TV commercials about health problems caused by exposure to fire-fighting foam. But my story is so weird, who would believe me? I contacted the VA and they had me talk to a doctor they hired. For the first time, I officially told my story of being fed fire-fighting foam while in boot camp. I had also been exposed to other chemicals while on the ship. I expected to hear laughter or mocking. But instead the doctor said “I heard this story before. And the other guy who told the story was also a Coast Guard veteran.” The VA now has me labeled as a Disabled Veteran. I even have a VA Medical ID.

After all these years, I am now starting

to get the hang of the Veteran stuff out here. I can get discounts at some places. I can even shop at the Navy Exchange, not only online, but in the store itself. But the thing I really enjoy is not VA-sponsored. When I can, I enjoy going to the free, once-a-month breakfast for veterans at the Northshore Senior Center. Also once-a-month is a free lunch at the American Legion, when I can make it.

What’s great about this is the commonality. It doesn’t matter if you were an officer or enlisted. It doesn’t matter what your rank was. Or even what branch, or what you did. It doesn’t matter if you have seen combat or not. All that matters, is that we’re all veterans.

This reminds me of the commonality we all have in the kingdom of God.

John 3:14-15

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

Anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus will have everlasting life. But just knowing about Him isn’t enough. There are people in this world who really believe in a political cause or person enough that they would volunteer their time. We should be like that for Jesus.

Once in Heaven, it will not matter if one was rich or poor. Famous or a nobody. Free or slave. It won’t matter what you did. Stole, murdered, and the list of sins go on. It won’t even matter if you were always popular, or have always been an outsider. Because of Jesus, it won’t matter. You will be welcomed.