As this military deployment to Iraq comes to an end for this Army Reserve chaplain, there is one thing that significantly stands out in my mind. It is not the missions accomplished, the new adventures experienced nor the new friendships established. It is not the hardships endured, the dangers avoided nor the political scene at home.

Rather it is the ongoing sacrifices made by many of our military personnel and their families which are often unknown or unappreciated by so many of our fellow citizens. Of the many sacrifices, the one to be most revered is that of giving one’s life in service to our nation. Appropriately so, we call this the “ultimate sacrifice” and at monuments observe an annual Memorial Day in their honor.

Yet while some media outlets do have regular tributes to honor our war dead, other people only seem to cite the number of deaths to support a particular agenda. As a nation, we need to do better in expressing our appreciation for those who died in combat or made tremendous sacrifices.

Second to surrendering one’s life, is the sacrifice of losing a limb or a sense like eyesight in the line of duty. For these struggling troops, our leaders promise the best medical care but do we, the beneficiaries of their service, sufficiently demonstrate our appreciation?

Then there are the not so obvious sacrifices like marriages that have ended due to the strain of being apart, financial hardships endured because the reservist earns much less in the military than he does in his civilian career, the postponed semesters at school, the missed births, family gatherings and precious time with children.

There is also the emotional stress of having endured combat. Such sacrifices have been exacted not only from troops sent overseas but also from many of their loved ones who struggled to maintain things at home.

Personally, I have been blessed because little sacrifice was required of me and all of my soldiers came home safe and sound. From what I see in the news, have had related to me by troops I’ve counseled and been aware of concerning families on the home front, though, I most certainly concur with two statements often mentioned since Sept. 11, 2001: “Freedom isn’t free” and “All gave some and some gave all.”

Throughout this deployment, I have been humbled by the expressions of appreciation that came my way through care packages, cards, e-mails and prayers as well as the simple “thank you” from a neighbor or stranger who sees me in uniform or knew that I had served in Iraq. Even though our nation has Veterans Day each year to honor those who served, and medals are given, I do hope that every American would become more aware of the sacrifices their military service members are making and in some way regularly express their appreciation to those who are making sacrifices so we can live free as a nation.

With the arrival in late May of the unit that was taking over my unit’s mission, the morale of my soldiers surged higher like the daily desert temperatures. We had the standard 12 days to train our replacements with them watching us do the job for six days followed by us watching them do it until their commander felt comfortable that they could run things on their own. In addition to training our replacements, we were also busy packing our equipment, mailing home our personal belongings, watching a USO show of the New Orleans Saints Cheerleaders, cleaning out our living and work places, as well as making plans for what we would be doing when we returned home and were released from active duty.

The new unit’s chaplain was of a faith other than Catholic and this had me and my higher headquarters concerned because once I left, the Mass and sacraments would then not be available to the Catholic personnel. Options such as having me stay around or flying a priest in by helicopter from a camp in Kuwait were considered but were not really feasible.

Then one day I received an e-mail from a priest in the Tennessee National Guard indicating that he was mobilizing with his unit to come to Camp Bucca in August. I was overjoyed and wasted no time in calling him to share loads of information about the ministry, the troops and the camp. I explained that in addition to caring for his soldiers, he would also be the Catholic theologian in residence as well as the “Bishop” of Camp Bucca. It was a delight to share the news of his coming with the faith community but preparations still needed to be made for the group to gather each week to pray the Scriptures until he arrives in August and offers Mass.

When the day came for my unit to leave Iraq, we were shuttled by helicopter to a base camp in Kuwait. The five days there gave us sufficient time to take care of redeployment chores, decompress and relax. The soldiers appreciated being able to store their weapons and body armor knowing not to expect any alarms and attacks.

Our 11 p.m. flight to our mobilization station at Fort Bliss, Texas, was long with three refueling stops but the troops seemed to be in good spirits and not really mind. At the stop in Shannon, Ireland, after taking in the green scenery and smells of the plants and flowers, the commander gave all the option of purchasing one adult beverage to ease the troops out of their 12-month prohibition stupor. Many exercised the option even though it was only 6 a.m.

Father Jim Krische is shown with members of his RCIA program during

Easter Vigil services in Iraq.

Most troop transport flights stop in Bangor, ME, and there a local group of civilian volunteers greet each flight with applause, smiles, snacks, and cell phones so soldiers can let their families know they are out of the war zone and stateside.
Expressions of appreciation like this strengthen soldiers to make future sacrifices. Our four days at the demobilization station in Texas were filled with tasks like records processing, equipment turn-in and medical check ups. An interesting critique heard there was that the food and our accommodations were better in Iraq and those days in Texas hopefully would be our last ones in a desert environment for a while.

Some Continue to Sacrifice

Recognizing the acquired skills and experience the soldiers had from their one year in Iraq, the Army has a program whereby returning reservists can stay on active duty and work for one year as a trainer of those who are preparing to deploy. Since the job pays well and means the person will be an instructor in Texas or New Jersey, some of my soldiers signed on for that program. That means the sacrificing continues.

The flight back to New York passed quickly given that we left Texas at 2 a.m. and most people slept. At Kennedy Airport, our plane was greeted at its parking space by a sprayed water arch from two of the airport’s fire trucks and then charter buses came right out to the plane to pick up us and our duffle bags.

The trip to our headquarters in Uniondale, L.I., was especially fast and unique because we were escorted by the airport police to the airport boundary, then by the New York City Police to the city border and finally by the Nassau County Police. The police cars and motorcycles blocked highways and intersections while a helicopter flew overhead. The troops certainly felt the police departments’ appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

At headquarters, we were greeted by family and friends and the joyful reunions were then followed by soldiers saying goodbye to each other. The commander formed us up one last time to say “thank you” to the soldiers and the families and to remind everyone that the unit will start their training again in late September.

As soldiers mingled with loved ones, I took advantage of the opportunity to greet some family members who I had heard about or communicated with while in Iraq. Shortly after returning home, I visited with some family and friends as well as concelebrated Mass with my former parishioners. I also took a quick trip to Washington, D.C., with a friend. At his request, we visited Arlington National Cemetery and its Section 60 where soldiers who died in Iraq are buried. As I walked amongst the graves and read the headstones, I was again reminded of and moved by the sacrifices others have made for our nation.

In the weeks ahead, as I get used to heavy traffic, the absence of sandstorms, people around me not wearing uniforms, not having a chow hall to eat in, church attendees not carrying weapons, not worrying about roadside bombs or rocket attacks, I plan to visit with family and friends as well as take some vacation.

In September, I will be attending a three-month theological update course at a seminary in Rome, Italy. Upon completion of the sabbatical in Rome, I will receive a new parish assignment from Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio.

This update concludes this military deployment but service to our nation and the cause of freedom continues for each of us in various ways.

Thank you for your interest in the troops and prayers. Perhaps we can each devote a little more effort to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices our military personnel are making and continue to pray for them as well.

May God bless America and the troops for the sacrifices they have made.

Father Jim Krische, former pastor of St. Peter Claver parish, Bedford-Stuyvesant, served as chaplain to the 310th Military Police Battalion.