Going Forward
December 4, 2002

A phrase that is very common in military parlance, at least where I am at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, is the term, "Going Forward." This refers to an individual or a unit moving into a combat zone. Entering a combat zone is frequently referred to as "Going in Harm's Way."

Because of the current political impasse with Iraq, we in the military fully expect to be going forward. When Marines speak to each other they'll ask, "Are you going forward?" It is usually intoned with a certain reverent foreboding. It is true that Marines train for war, but when it comes right down to actually following through, it's very sobering. This is a time when people find themselves looking deep into their own soul asking questions such as, "Is there a God?" "Is there a heaven? A hell?"

This is when chaplains play a critical role. They are there with the troops to be a sounding board. The chaplain may offer words of counsel, pray with the Marine or sailor and their families, as well as go forward as a member of that command. It's one thing to have a minister assure a service member that they'll be praying for them. But it's an entirely different matter when that minister wears a military uniform and goes forward with the very Marines and sailors he is praying for.

I was home for the long Thanksgiving weekend, which was a delightful time with family and friends. Several folks mentioned the article written about me in the Modesto Bee that said I was on my way to Kuwait. I am not aware that I am going to Kuwait any time soon. At least there has been no official notification of this. Will I be home for Christmas? I don't know. And I suspect that no one else knows either. But should we find ourselves moving against Saddam Hussein in the next few weeks, it is not outside the realm of possibility that I could be going forward.

So if we find ourselves going forward to take care of business, I want you to know this. The armed forces of the United States are the finest in the world. On this there is no argument. And I'm proud to serve with these men and women who are your sons and daughters.

Please pray for our president and for our military forces, both those who have gone forward to the Persian Gulf, and for those who are anticipating "going forward."