I recently wrote an article challenging the idea that some Christians might choose to sit out the upcoming Presidential election. Several of you offered your thoughts. Over the weekend I received a message from a man who deserves to be heard. I give my space proudly and humbly to one of our heroes protecting me and you.
I recently read Dr. Dobson’s comments about sitting this election out. While I have always appreciated his leadership in matters of family, I beg him to recant his statement. If people who look up to him are to follow suit, I fear we may end up with the worse of two evils in charge of the executive branch. I risk my life daily in the skies of Iraq so you all may have the privilege of voting. Please don’t throw that away. I am not a fan of any of the candidates either, but I will vote and my vote will go to the one whose values are most like my own. I fear if the wrong people come to power, we will pull out of Iraq pre-maturely which means two things. 1. It means that my friends have died in vain. 2. It means that our families are at a much greater risk from another attack on the home soil. Contrary to what Mr. Obama thinks, Al Q’aida is in Iraq. They haven’t submerged so as to re-emerge at some later date. We are chasing them down and killing and capturing them daily. I believe they haven’t been able to plan and execute another horrible attack simply because we have them on the run. Their thoughts are only of survival and we must continue to pursue them to keep them at bay. Your vote tells me that you care about the sacrifices of my friends’ lives. It also tells me that you care about the sacrifices of all of our military families. About the men and women, who though happily married, play single-parent for months at time. My wife has been a single mom for 8 of the last 13 months and this cycle will continue. It is a sacrifice we gladly make to keep our friends and families safe, to keep our nation free and to protect your rights. Please, exercise those rights.
-David, Major, United States Air Force
Balad Air Base, Iraq
Pray for David. Pray for his friends and colleagues. And thank you David for your service, your wisdom and your heart. We are blessed by men and women like you.
Russ
I went to vote in the primaries last night and plan on going to the polls in November. I will be supporting McCain, even though there is some disconnect between a few of his policies and my conservative values. After careful thought and prayer, my decision was made because we have asked our military to fight on our behalf overseas. I believe McCain best understands the challenges our country faces against Al Q’aida. While I respect Dr Dobson, I was disappointed by his comments (as well as those of other conservative talk-show hosts and evangelical leaders). I pray that those individuals would reconsider their comments in light of how their opinion influences others. I respect those who disagree with my position, including those who genuinely would support Clinton or Obama. However, for those who strictly hold ideologies over sound judgment in order to prove a point, I ask them to consider the consequences of their action (or even their inaction).
Thank you for posting David’s comments. It was a very articulate and genuine posting. It is because of brave Americans like David, that I am proud to always (today and tomorrow) say “I am an American”. Unlike what some candidates will make others believe, I do not need to wait for a politician before I can say it.
To David, my family and I say thank you. May God bless you, your family, and those who have sacrificed so much for this country.
Teresa
Thank you for helping me to keep the right perspective.
I will pray for David and his family and all the men and women sacrificing for me.
Bridgette
Thanks for sharing Dave
Thanks for serving David
Angie_K
Amen.
Lindsay Banks
“Hooah”, Major.
A big and hearty,
HOOAH!
Not to mention, if you don’t vote, you give up your right to complain about whoever wins. And I for one, refuse to not excercise my right to complain about the our elected officials. 🙂