I am thankful for the opportunity that I had to present the following speech at an event for Veterans on the National Grief Awareness Day, August 30th.

“There Is Hope After Loss.”

Welcome distinguished veterans, family and friends. My fellow service members, I am honored to stand before you today, to be part of this event, and I thank all the wonderful people who have made this day possible.

My name is Michael Cameron, I served our nation in the US Coast Guard, and this wonderful community as a firefighter. Today, it is my privilege to come here as a Chaplain with the duty to speak on behalf of one of the deepest bonds we service members share; loss.

As veterans, by the very nature of our service, we have all experienced loss in some measure. Some, have lost more than others and It is true that we have lost more of our fellow service members than any of us have ever wanted, or could have imagined. So this day, let us not forget those that have gone before us, please join me for a moment of silence to honor our fallen.

Thank you for your reverence. 

I would like to now read a short passage from the Holy Scripture and share a few thoughts that I pray will bring healing and hope into our grief.

In Deutoronomy 20:1-9, we read about the ancient Israelites going to war. We read about the insurmountable enemy they faced:

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.

We read the priest blessing them for their courage in faith:

2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

Now let me bring your attention to the instruction given to the officers:

The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. 6 Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. 7 Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.” 8 Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.” 9 When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.

The loses described in this text may be familiar to many of us. Our homes are more than where we live, they represent stability, future, and safety.The vineyard here reflects more than just wine, it is the occupation or vocational pursuit of purpose and enjoyment And love? The beauty of marriage, of family and children.

We can all recognize how in our own ways, our military service directly impacted our home lives, vocational futures and relationships. How we put this nation second in our service, and that came at a great cost. 

Let me read the last instruction for the officers again:

Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.”

Many of us, although extremely proud of our service, also realize the weight of war. No soldier, sailor, airmen, marine or coast guardsmen will deny the cost of their devotion to duty. What they traded, or what they lost, on the battlefield, or before it has had deepening impacts, some of which we veterans have had the opportunity to grieve, and others we have not. We join in solidarity today, to reflect and collectively share our grief. Not for the purpose of regret, but for redemption. This grief is common to us all, and nothing to be shamed for. In our grief, we must hold unto hope. And there is hope brothers and sisters, because just as the Lord went with you in service, His promise is to restore you after. 

Looking back into Scripture, a few chapters later, in Deuteronomy 30, we read this promise:

When you have experienced all these things, both the blessings and the curses I have set before you, you will reflect upon them in all the nations where the Lord your God has banished you.

You who have served this great nation, you have experienced both the blessings and the curses of your service. We have only begun reflecting on these things, and where the Lord has led them.

It is good to reflect back on our memories, good and bad. To look back on what we have gained, and what we have lost. 

It is good, and I challenge you even now to identify the loses you have faced, and when appropriate to grieve them.

This is important because we cannot grieve what we do not recognize. Some would make the comparison that you can’t fight the enemy you do not know, however, these loses are not our enemy. They are what have shaped us, and formed us, they are as much a part of us now as any other. The work here is to not resist, but redeem our loses.

I know for some the grief they have experienced and the losses they feel are too great, they feel captive, scattered and alone. We know for 22 veterans a day that choose suicide, they felt like they were farthest from the hope of ever returning.

Yet we read in the following verses of this passage:

2 Then if you and your descendants turn to the Lord your God and obey him with your whole mind and being just as I am commanding you today, 3 the Lord your God will reverse your captivity and have pity on you. He will turn and gather you from all the peoples among whom he has scattered you. 4 Even if your exiles are in the most distant land from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back.

With the Lord, you are not alone, and there is hope, and abundance of life, and this is my prayer for us all, and for this nation:

5 Then he will bring you to the land your ancestors possessed and you also will possess it; he will do better for you and multiply you more than he did your ancestors. 6 The Lord your God will also cleanse your heart, and the hearts of your descendants so that you may love him with all your mind and being and so that you may live

Just as the Lord promised to the servants of Israel, he will bring you back, to renew our hearts and minds, and find healing for in him our grief gives birth to new hope. 

May He who is eternally faithful forever bless you, and guide each of us as we give Him our losses and He restores our hearts, as He makes us complete again.

If you are a vet, and want to talk, please do not hesitate and email today.