Today I am especially grateful for the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces. It takes a special individual with a sacrificial heart and tremendous character to risk all to defend the freedoms that you and I so often take for granted.
Yesterday, my brother-in-law, Chaplain Mike Smith, was deployed to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne division of the U.S. Army. Mike will be away from his wife and three kids for a full year, but believes whole-heartedly in the mission that he has been called to do. He is a superb example of an American hero and is a true patriot. Mike is already a combat veteran having been deployed as a U.S. Marine during the Gulf War. He has also served in local law enforcement and S.W.A.T. operations. He has the respect and admiration of all those who know him.
Mike is just one of thousands who needs your prayers today. Would you take a moment this day to pray for our troops? They are serving tirelessly for us. The least that we can do is to remember them.
Please feel free to post the names of your loved ones who are deployed at this time and to share their stories. May we not forget to uphold our soldiers with prayer.
As a wife of a PFC in the Army I can truly say that we do take for granted our freedom and the sacrifices that our military families take. I and my two girls have experience separation from my husband. Not till now I can truly say it doesn’t cross our minds that these men who are fighting for us,have families that are praying and missing them greatly.But saying that, I can also say the pride my husband expresses to us as he is preparing himself for service. Not once does he regret doing what he is doing. I know Chaplain Mike Smith and know he also feels the same way. Only a few are chosen to carry this heavy burden but those do it with all their heart. I am proud to call my self a friend and wife of such brave men. I stand up today and pray that the Lord will keep them safe and bring them home safe. But know that God stays with us,the families giving us strength to carry on. But not forgetting our love ones. Gal.6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart”
Mike Smith posted a wonderful update letter on his ministry in Iraq on January 30, 2009. You will be very encouraged by reading it. Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/wall.php?id=649405400&banter_id=594143539&show_all#/note.php?note_id=59212591095
I am a dear old friend of Mike’s from his days in the Marine Corps. We served together in Operation Desert Storm. I have been trying to locate him for years but it’s not easy locating a Mike Smith in the US. Could you please reply to my email address with contact information so I can get in touch with him. Thank You.
Would love an update on Mike. My wife was his 5th grade teacher and I was Financial Aid Director at Clearwater Christian College. We have a son-in-law in Green Beret training at Ft. Bragg now and realize the sensitivity of Mike’s job.
You can email me general info.
Thanks,
Mike Bryant
Thanks for asking about Mike. He is currently deployed to Afghanistan and is due home in the fall of 2012. We are hoping that he will be back in time for Thanksgiving. What a blessing that would be! This has been a difficult deployment for his unit and I know he would appreciate your prayers. I’ll be sure to let Mike know that you asked about him.