A FAMILIAR NAME

A FAMILIAR NAME

Eleven years ago when I embarked on this journey to support our troops in the Middle East with care packages I decided I should print many of the emails that pertained to the packages.   Not just 'thank you' emails, but newsletters from the various units I shipped to, news articles from all media sources, and more.   I had no idea what I would do with them, but I printed them and saved them.  Files for particular individual recipients, specific units and each of their deployments, etc, many of whom I have written about in the articles you have read.   The funny thing is, from the beginning, dozens of people suggested I keep a journal of all the amazing things that have transpired over those eleven years.   I am not the sort of person who journals every day.  Of course now I regret not doing so, as I have to rely on my memory for the multitude of notable experiences  that have had such an impact in my life.   Too late now.....and I have been through all the files, mountains of them.   There are still a few good stories to relate in those files, and today I am sharing one that really is amazing!

As I have written in the past my nephew Alex McBride was with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines and was deployed to Iraq 2005-2006 for his last deployment based out of Al Qaim.   There were several significant missions during that deployment, one being Operation Steel Curtain, and it was a difficult tour filled with too many casualties.   Multiple missions, one after the other, nearly constant combat and constant danger.   The chaplains deployed with their Marines and Sailors had their work cut out for them.   Offering advice of all sorts, along with sharing God's word and comfort in times of fear.   As many of you know from being in combat, often one feels closer to God in times of terror and the unknown.   I can only speak from the stories that have been related to me by those who have lived with that fear and from the chaplains themselves.

As I was reading through a folder last week for Alex's last deployment, I came across the name of the chaplain who was serving with 3/6 at the time.  His name was LT Bryan Crittendon.   Not exactly a common name, and surely there could not be more than one Navy Chaplain with the same name.   The reason it caught my eye was because I am shipping packages now to a chaplain....LCDR Bryan Crittendon.

Immediately I wrote an email to the current Chaplain Crittendon, inquiring whether he was in Iraq with 3/6 back in '05-'06 and whether the name Alex McBride sounded familiar.    He replied almost immediately that the name rang a bell, but he could not place the face that went with the name.   I responded with a short description.....Alex was 5'4", had been with India Company and had sent me a photo of him being baptized.    Alex had written that although it would have been meaningful to be baptized in the Euphrates River it was dangerous and very dirty.   Well, guess what?   Chaplain Crittendon remembered distinctly building a baptistery outside their little chapel and baptizing Alex!!!    That was seven years and many deployments ago, but he remembered vividly that day near the Euphrates where Alex was baptized and could now put a face to the name.    We were both stunned at the connection after all these years!  

Chaplain Crittendon is still serving with the Marines and Sailors of Camp Lejeune but with a different unit.   Once again I have the honor of supporting him and the men with whom he is serving, imparting his wisdom, advice and comfort.   Once again life comes full circle.......connecting each of us in a very special way that only God could orchestrate.