The Point Man |
| Life Blog |
| Written by Tom Silva |
 1969-Somewhere in South Viet Nam The quietness of the night was suddenly shattered by the distinct popping sound of an AK-47. Just minutes before a jeep carrying what we called the 'Rat Patrol' had stopped for a few minutes to talk with our road guards. Their job was to keep the MSR Military Supply Route clear. The enemy would use the night cover to plant land mines (IED's) on and along the road to disrupt military traffic on the road. Usually the 'Rat Patrol' had Marines assigned to it; this night was different, though. The Gunny Sargeant, acting as the gunner, was none other than the Gunny who ran our chow hall back in the rear. He had always wanted to make the ride and tonight was his last chance to make it happen before he went back to the world. My concentration on the firing was suddenly interrupted when I heard "Corpsman Up"! As I grabbed my gear and my Unit One ( Medical Bag), I told my squad leader, I would run point. I grabbed the staff and with my weapon at the ready, I led our small group out of the compound. The adrenaline was pumping through my body and death was not in my plans for this night... you see I'm young, I'm going to live forever. Alongside the road we trudged, walking along the edge of the road in a ravine to conceal our approach to the area where the firefight was unraveling. I rounded a corner, feeling my way along the trail with the staff, checking for wires or booby traps. Suddenly I stopped, to my left was a boy, probably not more the 15 years of age, his AK-47 pointed directly at my head. My heart had stopped as he and I stared into each others' eyes for just a second. Suddenly, I was pushed aside by the Marine behind me who opened fire on the young man. It was over before I took my next breath, yet it seems like it lasted forever. For years I wondered what would have happened had the young boy not hesitated but then the answer lies here in this blog. You see God spared me for this time. As I write this story with the words He gives me, I know He spared me for a time such as this. One of you reading this needs to, most want to, but one, yes, one of you has to. This is all explained in the 91st Psalm, "The Soldiers Psalm", when God promises those who are His, long life. Though thousands may fall around us, he spares us. Why me? Because before I took my first breath, I was His, my path already defined. Just like your path has been defined for you, are you following the path He has planned for you or have you changed course? If you feel He hasn't been there when you needed Him, look up... those outstretched hands you see are His. He has been waiting for you, His child. You see His Kingdom is yours for the asking, the choice is yours. Don't wait too long! Life is over before you know it.
The rest of the story... Tom Silva, Chaplain
Warrior2Warrior
"It takes little to do much."
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