For a time such as this

  • Published
  • By By Lt. Col. Justin Davey
  • 2d Civil Engineering Squadron Commander
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Driving north out of Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, was hot and uncomfortable in the cab of a flatbed truck, part of a convoy delivering supplies to Tallil Air Base, Iraq, in the summer of 2003. There wasn't much to see along the road except sand and dead sheep. The only break of the seven-hour trip came at the border, where the Army briefed us on what to expect the rest of the way. It was everything you might imagine: warnings of snipers, ambushes, and improvised explosive devices. So we put on helmets, flak vests, and kept our M-16s at the ready.

However, it wasn't "bad guys" that greeted us as we passed through the Iraqi border town of Safwan; it was little children, all waving and hoping for a bottle of water or MRE handout. This continued intermittently along the entire 142 miles to Tallil. Children came running to the highway to wave and watch the convoy go by.

After that, when I wondered "Why am I away from my children for a year," I looked at the photos I took of those Iraqi boys and girls and thought of what their future held. I was there to help ensure their future was something far better than what life under Saddam Hussein offered. I was then motivated to give my best--and I still am.

Five years later, America continues to battle evil forces opposed to freedom and democracy around the world. Our nation is no stranger to this struggle; from the Revolution, to the conflict today, it is a calling with ancient precedent.

The Bible's book of Esther gives the historical account of a woman raised up by God to save the Jewish nation from destruction by an evil government leader. Esther begins in obscurity, but becomes a queen. At the point of crisis for her people she is urged to use her position and power for the good of others, but at great risk to herself. Her father tells her, "Perhaps you have come to royal position for a time such as this."

The United States has followed a similar course from its humble beginnings to its current status as the wealthiest and most powerful nation in history. Conversely, many regions of the world continually suffer great unrest and injustice. Surely America has "come to [its] position for a time such as this."

If America's prosperity and blessings are kept internally for our personal gratification alone, then they are all but wasted. On September 11, 2001, the enemies of freedom attacked our home. Our response was as the founders of our nation intended. Consider the words of Samuel Adams, "The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men."

Many from the Barksdale community have, are, and will deploy as part of the Global War on Terrorism; some have sacrificed greatly. In honor of those and their families, let us not focus on the minor discomforts and inconveniences of daily life. Rather, let us turn our thoughts to something other than ourselves--toward the good that our engagement around the globe is designed to bring about. Regardless of your job, you are an important part of a noble effort to positively change the lives of men, women, and children we may never meet.

Like the myriad, yet interdependent parts of a human body, the components of the Barksdale community are diverse: U.S. and coalition partners; active duty and reserve; family members and retiree volunteers; civilians and contractors. Our community forms a foundation for global strike and deployments critical to the success of the Global War on Terrorism. This is a struggle only the US is capable of leading, fought not so much for ourselves, but for all mankind. That is the nature of what we do.

As each of us sets about their job today and every day that follows, whether digging a ditch or making box lunches, never forget what you do is vital to the total effort. Choose your attitude and give your best, because we are here for a time such as this.