Show Up...Get in the Fight...Contribute

In the world of virtual, collaborative operations...where data, information and the fog of war can all come crashing down around you in the blink of an eye...you can tell the real collaborative warriors by their actions. How? Easy...we look for those who exhibit the McDonald Doctrine, named after a close friend of mine who walks this walk in all that he does...every single day. It's a very simple principle...yet requires all three components to be successful. No shortcuts, no easy way in or out...no wallflowers...you have to show up, get in the fight and contribute.

Now, take a moment and look at the photos above...one is getting ready to deploy (PFC Chris Stevenson, USA) while the other (LCPL Spencer Dierenfield, USMC) is already on the ground in Iraq. As I was driving home tonight I couldn't help but reflect on these two young warriors, buddies since kindergarten, and how they epitomize the McDonald Doctrine...along with the rest of our men and women serving our country. Talk about showing up, getting in the fight and contributing! I am so very proud of them both and their courage...but most of all I am humbled by their commitment...but never did I think their paths would cross once again in the heat, sand and ugliness of Iraq.

As you retire for the evening, consider the words below and then look once again at Chris and Spencer...these are the faces of freedom...which is never, ever free...

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country....He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity...He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime...He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed...He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful...He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years...He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. -Author: Unknown

Show up...get in the fight...contribute - in the coming weeks and months, how will I carry my fair share? How will you?

v/r,
- Collabman

Saying So Long...but Never Good Bye...

Who said saying so long to one of your sons as you send him off to war is easy? That thought never crossed my mind this morning as Nancy and I said so long to Chris at the airport. It is never easy to send your child off...especially when you know he is headed for combat operations in Iraq. Chris captured it very succinctly when he looked at us and said... "we can do this now or in another 30 minutes... but it won't be any easier"...so there we stood with just one last hug to give...I can only hope he could feel and sense how much we love him. There are not enough tears to show how much he will be missed...a boy transformed into a man so quickly.

We enjoyed his time at home this week...but just as I expected - the time flew by. He is now winging his way to the east coast to spend some time with friends and hopefully a young lady named Erin who by all accounts ...is a special person who means a lot to Chris. Nancy and I are praying his time with Erin and others on the east coast is full of fun, good times and memories that will last...because once he leaves Virginia, he will return to Germany and get moving with the awesome task at hand - deployment to Iraq and the beginning of a 15 month journey that we trust God is in control of...

What were we thinking when Chris said....I want to join the Army and serve our country?

v/r,
- Collabman

Light in the Darkness...

Sunday was quite an emotional day for my family...but even more so for me. It was a day filled with laughter, smiles, hugs, words of encouragement...but also tears that rolled out from deep within my heart...I can only wonder if this is the way it will be for the next 15 months...

After a wonderful, uplifting morning in God's house, upwards of 25-30 people joined us downstairs for a time of prayer. I was so very honored and touched to have Steve and Becky, Darrin, Ron and KC, Mary and Alan, Neil and Lana...and so many of our kids from our young adult community...wow - nothing like being wrapped in so many support arms. Chris was presented with a book his mother made for him that was filled with words of encouragement, scripture and pictures from family, friends and even people who really didn't know him...but who still wanted to show their support for him and his Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). This book, called Light in the Darkness, will fit nicely into his cargo pocket of his Army Combat Uniform (ACU) and can be pulled out anytime he has a break while on patrol in Iraq. I trust that it will be dog-eared from frequent use and warn from the harsh conditions he will be operating in...

I also presented Chris with 12 Angel Coins that were given to me by CD, a great friend I have known for a number of years. These coins have become a tradition in our work environment and are given out to the men and women going into harms way. They are not special or magical but will serve as a reminder to Chris and his Stryker team that an army of warriors are praying stateside for their safety every day. CD related a number of stories from men and women alike who have safely returned with their coin as smooth as glass from the constant rubbing...the ability to touch the outline of an angel and know that you are being prayed for daily...what a powerful reminder indeed for Chris and his Stryker team. I encouraged him to carry his Angel Coin with him and to share the other 11 with those men in his Stryker team that will be on patrol each day.

Light in the Darkness...as this journey unfolds, I am drawn to a lyric in a recent song from Mercy Me (Hold Fast)....

What I've learned in my life...One thing greater than my strife...Is his grasp...So hold fast....

This is what I am doing every day...this is all I can do now...hold fast...

v/r,
- Collabman

Toujours Prêt - Always Ready...

It seems like yesterday when Chris graduated basic and turned blue. For those unfamiliar with the US Army's infantry training...this is what it is all about. I was so very proud to step forward and place that blue cord around his shoulder...a recognition of his hard work, determination and commitment to being part of the world's finest army. Now that he is on the verge of deploying for his first combat tour, the motto of the 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment resonates with me and is indeed a reflection of Chris' mindset throughout most of his life - always ready, always wanting to be in the middle of the fight, always wanting to pitch when the game was on the line. I find it fascinating that he was assigned to the 2SCR...God truly is in control of all we do.

Our family and friends look forward with anticipation to his arrival home this coming Saturday...but with it comes a realization that he has an awesome task and responsibility ahead of him. There is so much to say and do while he is home...I just pray I can enjoy the time and keep my eyes from looking beyond his stay at home...and towards the coming chaos and stress he will experience. Every patrol...every corner he turns..every door he walks through...with the fog of war so thick at times he can touch it...

Always ready...a simple yet profound statement...maybe the real question is "are we...?"

v/r,
- Collabman

The Journey Begins...

This weekend Chris will be home on leave for a few days before he and his U.S. Army Combat Team deploy to Iraq. It is still a few weeks before he will be boots on the ground but my stomach is already doing flip flops when I think about the next 15 months. How will I respond when we go days without hearing from him? Where is the deployment-101 book for the parents? Did I not stand in that line when it was being handed out? I guess not...but Nancy (my wife) and I will now stand in a long line of parents who have experienced the effects of a son or daughter deploying to a hostile environment...in harms way...every day...to do the right thing for our great country and the freedom we take for granted.

When Nancy saw this picture on Chris' Facebook site, she felt compelled to put some words with it. So, if you think of it in the coming days, pray for Chris and his combat team as they prepare to deploy...and for us as we prepare to pray, wonder, fret, laugh and ask God for strength through this all...and so the journey begins...

Baby Face in Battle Gear

He’s Baby Face in battle gear,

His vision keen, his mission clear:

He fights my fight, your battle too,

For stars and stripes: red, white and blue.

No wait, that’s not entirely true.

To fight is what he’s made to do.

When he was little, three or four,

Green GI Joe men lined the floor.

With forts and cannons, guns and Joe’s,

He fired shots, delivered blows.

He showed no mercy, had no fear,

GI Joe is why he’s here.

When he was older: seven, eight,

Battleship was what he played.

He sank destroyers, carriers, too;

And submarines in waters blue.

He showed no mercy, had no fear,

Battleship has brought him here.

Soon after that, he learned to pitch.

In baseball he had found his niche.

“He loves the pressure, strikes abound

When Chris is on that pitcher’s mound.”

He showed no mercy, had no fear,

Baseball is why Chris is here.

And then in high school we could see

Chris had a love for history.

He had a teacher, tough but tame,

(Mr. Barnhardt was his name)

Who showed no mercy, had no fear,

Mr. Barnhardt led him here.

And then when he was seventeen

Chris left to wear the Army green.

He knew what he was made to do

And that he had to go for you.

He showed great courage, little fear.

Our fight for freedom brought him here.

He’s Baby Face in battle gear,

You and I are why he’s here.

v/r,
Collabman