When I was ten years old, I had a company’s worth (about 100) of GI Joe action figures. I had taken over my Granny Blessing’s living room with a six-foot long toy aircraft carrier. Her house was a frequent battleground as GI Joe battled Cobra in yet another effort to save the world from evil. Before I cared about girls, I knew the difference between M60 and M2 machine guns and I thought my Dad was a hero for serving in the Vietnam War (and still do).
That’s how I grew up in a family with a long tradition of military service. My grandfather, Arville Cole, was a member of the “Greatest Generation” and fought in World War II. He was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked and later went on to serve in the Philippines and Italy, where he was wounded by a sniper in 1945. My Dad joined the Army before he finished high school. He spent six years in the Infantry and Public Affairs, including a tour in Vietnam in 1967. Ironically, he was a driver of an M113 Armored Personnel Carrier when he first joined in the mid-sixties, the same vehicle, although later upgraded, that I would learn to drive as a young Infantry lieutenant. My uncle Dale Cole also served in the Army. He and my Dad met up in Vietnam once. Another uncle, JR Cole, served in the Army and was stationed in Germany at the height of the Cold War, a tense time for anyone serving in Europe. This is just on my father’s side. My mother’s father and several aunts and uncles served, as well.
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| Pvt. Arville Cole, US Army, c. 1941 |
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| Staff Sgt. JR Cole, US Army, c. 1976 |
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| Lt. Col Jeffrey Cole, US Army, Iraq, 2006 |
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| Pvt. Dale Cole and Spec 5 Jefferson Cole, Vietnam, c. 1967 |
Each of us joined for different reasons. In my grandfather’s day, the Axis powers threatened the entire free world. My Dad joined as much as for opportunity as anything. Admittedly, patriotism played only a partial role in my decision to join. Money for college and getting in shape were two of the main reasons. Why I have continued to serve for over eighteen years and through two tours in Iraq, however, is quite different.
Selfless service, honor, commitment, duty, responsibility, love – this is why I stayed. I serve so that one day my children won’t have to. I serve because I have a debt to repay for the privilege of being born an American. I serve because I have a duty to lead Soldiers –to prepare them for combat -so that they can win on the battlefield and return to their families. I serve because it’s part of who I am; to do anything else would deny who God made me to be. I serve because I believe the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 20:28, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I’m not unique. Multiply my sentiments by a few million and you understand the motivation for our servicemen and women, past and present. The majority don’t serve for recognition. I still get embarrassed when I’m in uniform and someone buys me a cup of coffee, although I’ve learned to accept such gestures with grace and a smile.
As Americans and Christians, we are all called to a life of service. That’s my humble belief. I’m not talking exclusively about military service; I’ll be the first to say that it’s not for everyone. But “we the people” have been given so much, most importantly Jesus’s sacrifice for us, but also—by God’s grace—the freedom and opportunity that comes from being born an American. A life of service is centered on the belief that my life is not about me. God did not create us to spend our days fulfilling our own selfish desires but rather meeting the needs of others. The ironic thing is that when we focus our efforts on loving and helping other people, our own problems don’t seem so significant, cancer included. On this Veterans Day, I challenge all of us to find a place to serve. No matter how insignificant it may seem, it will make a difference to someone.
Well said, sir. You weren’t the only one that started for ‘college money’ before 9/11 and found a place to belong and a calling to serve. And we are simply the latest in a long line of those who have served in uniform.
We are all called to serve the Lord in different ways. It is best to seek to be faithful to each one’s calling; blooming where planted rather than falling to the “grass is greener elsewhere” way of thinking.
Happy Veterans Day!
“Assurgam” “Rakkasan” “For God and Country”
Very true. A wise lady told me once that “The grass isn’t greener on the other side. It’s green where you water it.”
Very well said Jeff, and I commend our generation of Military Men as I do you..You have fought a war that ultimately has made you stronger not only in mind wise but in faith. Dad was very proud of you as we all are, but he spoke quite frequently about you during his stay and the CLC in Johnson City. I want to take this time and wish you a Happy Memorial Day and to thank you as I have our generation for serving and making our family proud. Always thinking of you and praying more, not only for healing but also for the simple fact that you are still with our family, I also send love and hugs to you and Christie and the girls. My love always, <3
Thanks, Tracy. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement.
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Toy Aircraft Carrier
Thank you, Jake. Actually, I only spend 2-4 hours a week on the blog, depending on how many posts I write. Appreciate the compliments!