Welcome to the home page for the
Fairfield Church of Christ
in Centerville, Tennessee.
2009 Fairfield Youth Rally
June 20, 2009!
Click here for more information
By Devin Pickard
963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Stark cold air brushed my cheek. Lumpy gravel tripped my every step as a musty and bittersweet aroma puffed up with every stumble. My body ached under the heavy, wet uniform and my shoulders slumped in pain. Sounds around me were dull yet distinctive. Guards yelled muffled words in my direction. The sun was setting and all hope drifted from my current conscious. With every blink, I tried to hold on to the comforting darkness behind my lids. Leafless limbs slumped under the last ice of the season magnifying dull hues of dirty brown buildings and the muted uniforms of my captors. Had I been in detainment camp for three days, four or maybe only two? I lost my hold on reality. I longed for the end and was suddenly struck with fear that freedom was nowhere in sight. Would my current reality last a lifetime?
Oh, how freedom sounded distant and unattainable. Others with me were showing signs of defeat. We were hungry, broken, tired, thirsty and weak. We felt we had failed ourselves, our team, our squadron and our country. My blinks were becoming longer. The colors behind my eyes were becoming drabber as I struggled to hold on to any memory of a familiar sight. My throat was dry and I longed for a drip of water. I glanced over to a co-captor, locked eyes and realized that I was not alone in strife or experience. Managing to hold my eyes open for an extra split second, I realized that the posture of everyone in the camp had changed. Slowly, one at a time, each Airman stood in awe of a new sight. Was it a rescue team? Was it a sign of a successful escape? As I slowly turned my tortured body around, the corner of my eye captured a sea of red and white. Then my new reality was apparent, I was facing the red, white and blue of the United States flag at the position of attention with a strong and proud salute.
These few seconds did not even encapsulate the suppressed reality of captivity training. The surreal moment was a true turning point of my life as an American and a proud Airman of the United States Air Force. Freedom was now mine and belonged to every trainee in the camp. We had worked hard, endured suffering, learned the limits of our strength and found faith in each other and our country. Together, we survived. I was changed. Freedom is paid for by the hard work of the American people, the fallen Soldiers who died for our country and the men and women of our armed services who continue to put their individual freedom on the line so that others may live in security and comfort. So that Americans can be free. I will never forget the beauty of the American flag that day. The intensity of the white stars and stripes, the saturation of the red and the gleaming blue will always be the colors of freedom on the back of my eyelids. (copied)
I have never been called upon to serve my country in the military. I have never been called upon to tread the soil of some distant land for the sake of freedom. I have never been called upon to hike for miles in unmerciful heat with 100 pounds of gear strapped to my back. I have never been called upon to take up arms with a M-16 for my own protection. I have never been called upon to spend months at time away from my home, my family and my friends. I have never been called upon to rescue some wounded fellow soldier in the midst of battle. I have never been called upon to break the tragic news to a family that their loved one wasn't going to come home, or at least come home alive.
I have been called upon to do funeral services for those who had been called upon to do all of the above. I have been called upon to try to find some comforting words to say to a family in the throngs of grief and pain. I have been called upon to be a witness to the presentation of an American flag to a military family on behalf of the President of the United States of America. I have been called upon to listen to a 21 gun salute. I have been called upon to say a few words at a bridge dedication to the memory of a fallen soldier. I have been called upon to remind us all that we are blessed beyond measure to live in the greatest country in the world. I have been called upon to remind you to thank folks like Sgt. Carolyn Leonforte, the author of the essay above. I call upon us all to thank God for the red, white and blue ...... Have a happy and safe 4th of July :)
Go the extra mile - Devin
The above text is the Viewpoint from the bulletin front page dated 6/30/2009
| UPCOMING EVENTS: |
|
Today is Saturday, July 04, 2009 |
|
|
| IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS... |
|
MEMBER BIRTHDAYS... |
| MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES... |
| LOCATION: |
|
Fairfield Church of Christ 1860 Hwy 100 Centerville, TN 37033 (931) 729-5142 View Directions |
| WORSHIP SERVICES: |
|
SUNDAY Morning Worship: 9:00 AM Bible Study: 10:15 AM Evening Worship: 6:00 PM WEDNESDAY Bible Study: 7:00 PM |
| RANDOM PICTURE: |
 View This Picture View This Gallery View All Galleries There are currently 261 pictures available on this website. |
| WEBSITE STATISTICS: |
|
8 Website Page Views Today 22473 Total Website Page Views (since April 2007) |
