Judging a Book by Its Cover
April 21, 2004

Are you sitting down? Good.

Let me tell you of a wonderful experience I had the other night. After buying my new PT Cruiser, I was contacted by the dealer asking me to come back to San Diego to re-sign the contract due to an error that was in my favor! So one evening I drove back down, the final transaction taking less than ten minutes. Wanting to compensate me for my time, the dealership offered to fill my tank. Harry, the salesman who sold me the car, drove with me to a nearby gas station. I was dressed in blue jeans, my Marine green T-shirt, and, because it was cool that evening, I was wearing my bright red Stockton (CA) Marine Corps Club jacket.

Harry and I were standing there chatting when I became aware of someone approaching from my right side. This was not the best of neighborhoods, but I've never worried much about those things. I've been approached innumerable times on the street, including having knives brandished threateningly. Well, I turned to face what might possibly be trouble in the making. What I saw was certainly cause enough to put me on guard. Here was a young man, sporting baggy pants hung low in the manner that is so common today. He wore a non-descript T-shirt that hung loosely on his scant frame. His hair was purple and spiked. His ears were festooned with pierced earrings. I was expecting a pitch for money. Normally in such instances, I offer to take the person to a restaurant where I can buy them something to eat using the opportunity to talk to them about Jesus.

Well, much to my surprise the young man asked me if I was still serving in the military. Not expecting this, I asked him to repeat the question, since I wasn't sure I'd heard him right. I thought, "Here it comes! He's going to vent about how evil the war in Iraq is, and how our military is just a bunch of blood-thirsty women and baby-killers." I have an extremely low tolerance for such dribble, which goes back to my Vietnam days. Bracing myself, he repeated the question, "Are you still serving in the military?" I replied, "Yes, I am." His right hand came up to shake hands and, as I grabbed his hand, he said, "Thanks for serving." With all the warmth I could generate, I said, "Thank you. It is my privilege." Just before he walked away, he said, "My dad served twenty years in the Navy." "God bless you, son," I said as he retreated. I looked at Harry, a former Marine, in amazement. Harry reminded me as we drove back to the dealership, that you can't always tell a book by its cover. That was certainly true in this instance. I regret I didn't ask the young man his name.

This simple gesture made my day. In fact, it made my week! It was full of serendipity. Now, I've had many people, friends and strangers alike, thank me for serving, especially in the last eighteen months that I've been on active duty. It's always very gratifying, and at the same time, humbling.

On Friday, I was asked to present a lecture to a group of our Marines. There were about 35-40 in the classroom, most in the 18-25 year-old age group. Many had already served last year in the war in Iraq, and are preparing to return. I was struck once again at how young they are. Having a few minutes before we started, I chatted with those in the front row. They are from Kansas, Texas, Ohio, and New York. In their young lives, they've tasted combat, and yet they are ready to go back a second time.

Having spent many of my military years either as a Marine, or as a Navy chaplain assigned to Marine commands, I see the quality of dedication and commitment these young warriors have in serving our nation. They've placed their personal hopes and dreams on hold, while they face a vicious foe that threatens, not only the United States, but all free people. They serve every one of you, and are proud to do it.

Are these young people perfect examples of all that is good about America? No, they are not. Nevertheless, I'll stand with them any time, anywhere.

These Marines are one book I've looked into and read. And I like what I see!