When I returned from Vietnam for the first time in the spring of 1967, this country had changed significantly. Or at least that’s the way it appeared. Having joined the Marines in April of 1965, there was a sense of pride in America. Our WWII and Korean War veterans were appreciated and respected. But this time, it was different.

The media portrayed the war in Vietnam much differently than what I had just experienced. Service members were looked down upon as if they were doing bad things. My own family really didn’t want to talk about it. We were expected to pretend it just didn’t happen.

By 1970, when I volunteered to go back, the country I loved had changed dramatically. The media was distorting the war, stirring up radical socialist/Marxist elements on college campuses across the nation. (Sound familiar?) The protests sometimes turned violent. As a Marine, I felt this was not my home anymore, but 12,000 miles away, I was accepted by my fellow Marines.

After “Desert Storm,” something changed again. Regardless of how you felt about the war, we stood behind those we sent in harm’s way, those who stood on the front lines of freedom. As a Vietnam veteran, if what we experienced after coming home was a wake-up call to stand behind our military, then every hardship was worth it.

Now, our nation is going through another political upheaval, even though we are not at war ourselves. This upheaval is different because the socialists and Marxists who supported the anti-war movement during Vietnam are now tenured professors on college campuses across the country. The generations of young people they have indoctrinated are even more radical than they were.

I learned after Vietnam that not everyone was against those who served. Our media made it seem that way, and they’ve never stopped hating America. But just like during Vietnam, there are far more people who love America than those who hate it.

The Lord reminded me recently about a story found in II Kings 6. The Syrian army had been sent by the king to capture the prophet Elisha. His servant went outside and saw the entire city surrounded by the Syrians. He came inside and told Elisha, We’re doomed!

Elisha said a simple prayer: “So he [Elisha] answered, do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘Oh Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (v. 15-17)

I believe there is currently an intense spiritual battle for the soul of this nation. The foundations of faith, family, and freedom are under attack from seemingly every side. Fear and doubt are causing many to lose hope. But let God’s protection of Elisha encourage you. You might say, That was a long time ago. Things like that don’t happen anymore! Yet just because you might not have experienced something doesn’t mean it’s not real. God’s power has not changed over millennia.

My Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

I believe and trust God more than I fear the circumstances around me. I have experienced God’s mercy and grace in my life too many times to start doubting Him now. He is always faithful. And remember, this isn’t really our home. More on that next week.

Something to pray about.
Semper Fidelis