The Pain Never Stops

Try to think of a situation in your life when you have cut your finger with a knife or some other sharp object. Now consider that the wound festers and never heals. It hurts constantly and just never gets any better. No matter what kind of pain medication you take, the pain never stops. It is incessant. You try prescription drugs, alcohol, medical marijuana, hypnosis, but nothing stems the pain and the wound never goes away. You’ve prayed, you’ve cried, you’ve cussed, you’ve blamed somebody else, and you’ve blamed everybody else, and still no relief.

Now you begin to understand the pain and heartache that a parent or spouse is going through when they have lost their loved one who voluntarily joined the military service to serve their country. You watched them grow up or you fell in love with them and became life partners and now they are gone. Physically they are not here, but in our hearts and minds, they are present every day and night for the rest of our lives. Our hearts are breaking with sadness and pain and nothing provides relief. You’ve had counseling and friends and family have come to your side. Your spiritual advisor, pastor, priest, or other religious person has tried to bring you comfort, but the pain just persists as you keep asking yourself why? Why did my son, daughter, husband, wife have to join the military. Why did they solemnly swear to God that they would support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that they would bear true faith and allegiance to the same?

Nowhere in that oath does it say that you will die and cause pain for your loved ones the rest of their lives. The oath does not say that a pain pill will be provided your family in the event that you meet your demise on the battlefield and their pain will instantly be relieved. Life for our beloved military personnel doesn’t work that way. When that military stranger arrives at your front door and says, “It is with deep regret,” the wound is created. Nothing will ever close it until the day you join them in heaven. Life is not fair! The pain never stops. God bless our military men and women and God bless America.