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©iStockphoto.com/Stephanie Phillips
By Barbara Keil
I work for a large company headquartered in
Michigan. Recently my company sponsored an “Honor Flight.”
The company chartered a plane and invited 93 retirees who are World
War II veterans to fly out to visit the National World War II Memorial
in Washington D.C., which opened in 2004.
More than 40 current employees who are also
military veterans were selected to be “guardians” during
the day. The role of the guardians was to escort the World War II
veterans who are in their 80’s and 90’s, and to assist
them with all aspects of the trip.
The one-day trip began in the early morning
hours. When the plane landed at Reagan National Airport and approached
the jetway, firefighters sprayed a water arch over the aircraft
to honor the veterans, and the ground crew lined up on each side
of the plane to wave American flags.
Inside the terminal, the Washington National
Symphony’s brass quartet greeted them with stirring music.
They were also greeted by Bob Dole, chairman of the National World
War II Memorial, and other dignitaries. The veterans toured their
WWII Memorial along with several other war memorials. They received
a police escort through the Arlington National Cemetery where a
special wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier.
Joyous Welcome
But one aspect of the itinerary was held as
a surprise. No hint of it was given to the participants in advance.
A communication had been sent out to all employees at our headquarters,
inviting us to come to the airport to welcome the veterans as they
returned. I was one of many who were delighted for the opportunity
to be there when the Honor Flight arrived back home.
At our small local airport, there was a cheering
crowd stretched from the security gate to the luggage claim area.
We all waved the stars and stripes. A high school band prepared
to fill the air with music. Former and current members of the military
along with family members of the veterans were stationed near the
security checkpoint. A Boy Scout troop provided a color guard.
When the flight arrived, the band played a fanfare.
The current and former military members stood at attention and held
a salute until all 93 veterans had passed by. Their family members
were there to embrace them. The crowd cheered and clapped and waved
flags as they made their way down the corridor.
The first veteran to pass before us was a man
in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank to assist him in breathing.
He was clearly overwhelmed with emotion and shed some tears. Many
of us in the crowd had the same emotional response. There were tears,
hugs and smiles all around.
One by one the veterans passed by us, accompanied
by their guardians. Some were emotional, some smiling, and many
looked us in the eye sharing the moment. It was an incredibly touching
and heart-warming experience for everyone present.
Those of us there to honor the veterans knew
that we stood on the shoulders of these men and the men and women
who served with them. They offered themselves in sacrifice so that
the world could be saved from tyranny. Once strong and able, now
older and fragile, they were due such well deserved honor and recognition
by those of us who have a heritage of freedom in part due to their
service.
Our Heavenly Welcome
The next day, I shared the experience of greeting
the Honor Flight with a friend of mine. He made the observation
that we are all veterans of this earthly experience. We signed on
to come to earth, far away from home and at great personal hazard.
We came to experience this journey of life with its trials and joys.
He said that after I described the scene at
the airport, he found himself imagining our return to heaven. Certainly
none of us knows the specifics of how it will actually happen. But
we can imagine the sense of celebration in coming home and being
greeted by family and others who will welcome us and honor the good
choices that we made and the service we offered through our lifetimes.
What a joyous day! All the veterans of mortality
will rejoice in the return home. All heaven and earth will celebrate
our return!
Being Guardians Here and Now
As I thought more about that evening of greeting
the Honor Flight, I thought of another application. I was intrigued
that each veteran was paired with a guardian. It seems to me that
we have an opportunity to serve as “guardians” to the
saints within our wards.
A few years ago a friend of mine called me and
relayed a sad story. Her brother and sister-in-law had been having
problems for several years in their marriage. Eventually they separated
and filed for divorce. While no one outside of the two parties knew
the whole story, the perception developed within their ward that
her brother likely engaged in inappropriate behavior that contributed
to the demise of the marriage.
During this time, her brother was devastated
at the loss of his marriage. It was an extremely difficult period
as he tried to mourn that loss and rebuild his life. He felt a profound
sense of failure and loneliness.
Ward members rallied around his wife to provide
empathy and support but reacted differently to him. Many felt awkward
and did not quite know what to say so they distanced themselves
from him. Others seemed to feel that if they offered him any support,
they would be indicating support for the ending of the marriage
and perhaps poor choices he might have made. So they abandoned him.
A few made judgmental comments. As a result,
he found it more and more difficult to feel comfortable at church.
Eventually he left the church completely. My friend understands
that it was his choice to leave and therefore his accountability.
But she wonders with heartache if things might have been different
if a few members had reached out to him with empathy and support.
“Veterans” Among
Us
In any given ward on any given Sunday there
are some “veterans” among us who once signed on to fight
the spiritual battle on the noble side, but then for whatever reason
have become wounded and perhaps, fragile over the years. They might
be battling depression, loneliness or trials. They might have made
serious transgressions and are in the process of repentance. Perhaps
their once-firm faith is being assaulted by doubt or weariness.
We have the choice of joining together to support,
encourage and honor their attempts to recover and continue fighting
the battle. Or we have the choice to remain silent, not quite knowing
what to say or do. Or we can make it clear that we stand in judgment
of them. If we choose either of the latter two options, we either
inadvertently or deliberately leave the person feeling alone among
us. Our actions could influence someone to feel distant from the
healing balm of the gospel or to give up on the church entirely.
The Savior invites us to be “guardians”
— to use our strength to walk by the side of those who are
fragile and struggling, to be of assistance and to care for them.
To find reasons to honor them, rather than judge.
The Lord commands us to “succor
the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the
feeble knees” (D&C 81:5). Not only should we look forward
to that glorious day when we will return home joyously, but also
we should cherish the opportunity to help other veterans of mortality
make the trip back to our native land. May we help every ward member,
every family member, every friend make their way back home with
us.
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