The Journey Continues: The notion of caring for others
I received several favorable comments from last week’s column when I wrote about topics from my journals and other writings. The following are more entries that speak to “caring” that touches my heart.
Showing people you care about their well-being can be expressed in many ways. Two events from my journal illustrate this:
1. Over 50 years ago while training to be a U.S. Army Infantry Ranger, I went through 18-hour days for nine weeks in the swamps of north Florida. While en route back to Fort Benning, Ga., our convoy of 10 two-and-ahalf-ton trucks stopped on the side of the road on command of our company commander. He then ordered that all troops, “Take off your boots and socks, lay on your backs and point your ‘dogs’(feet) toward the sky.” This Commander went down the row, individually examining every foot for blisters or cuts. Blisters on a soldier’s foot is the first indication of pain or infection which can compromise that person’s combat effectiveness. As a young 2nd Lieutenant, this memory stuck because he showed me he cared.
2. My friend, USAF Major (retired) Clyde Schnieder, shared his example from the time he was the Aircraft Commander of an AC-47(Gooney Bird) during the Korean Conflict. He said, “On my first mission ferrying wounded soldiers from South Korea to American hospitals in Japan, the airplane was loaded to capacity with patients on litters/ stretchers. I contacted the control tower for permission to take-off… there was a delay…the tower responded, “Aren’t you forgetting something? You have not turned in you issued parachutes.” Regulations required all crew members turn in issued parachutes on medical-related missions. Then I understood that our system had builtin care and protections for the helpless soldiers strapped on the evacuation litters. Both crew members and evacuees were on even ground in case of an inflight emergency.” The Air Force cared.
Caring for the rights of others casts a long shadow as confirmed by this event recorded in 2008 by Harry Middleton in the National Archives about LBJ. In one speech, President Johnson said, “We have talked long enough in this country about civil rights…we have talked for 100 years or more. It is now time to write the next chapter and write it in the books of law.” The key to passing the measure was Senator Everett Dirksen, the Republican leader from Illinois, because only he had the clout to break a filibuster being staged by opposition Southerners. When Senator Dirksen announced his recognition of an idea whose time had come, the bill passed by both Republican and Democratic votes in 1964 -65.” The 24th Amendment has held through succeeding administrations as the law of the land. We depend on Congress to care for the way we live in America, putting the care of the People above party affiliations. Recall 1 Peter 5:7(NIV):
“Cast all your cares upon the Lord because He cares for you.”
The good will to all men was Christ Jesus’ gift with his birth.
Never forget, he cares for you in matters both large and small. Caring for others is Christlike.
