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| My son David Regan is a private first class – PFC David Regan (son of Marlene Regan and Howard A. Schaffer). David is a Combat Engineer serving with the 4th ID in Iraq. He has seen a lot of action in the few months he has been in Iraq. He has also witnessed the deaths of fellow soldiers and has shared the losses with us each time. Dave tries to let me know when he is going out on a mission and then when he returns. The missions are so frequent now, they seem to run together so I don’t hear as often as I would like nor as much as I would like. This evening Dave called to ask me for my prayers. Here is an excerpt from the message I sent to my prayer partners who maintain a chain to which we can add our intentions. “Dear friends, “Some of you have shared your views on the war in Iraq; whether or not you support our involvement, I appeal to you for special prayers now. “Tonight I received a call from my son who is in the midst of combat. His is preparing to depart on another mission, having only just returned from one. As I write to you, their hummers and tanks are on the move. He called to tell me that “they had lost a couple of buddies” on the last mission. My son shared that his team, unable to overcome flames, listened to the screams of their fellow soldiers, and struggled to save their buddies. In the end, Dave and the others could do nothing. They stood with melted gloves and heavy hearts as both screams and flames subsided. “I could not imagine the horror and the sense of helplessness those boys must have felt. But as I listened to my son, I could imagine the pain and the anger…but all I could do was pray “Please God… .” “My son’s last words were ‘I love you, Mom. Please pray for us.’ “Prayer has always been a special balm for us—we believe it helps us get through just about anything. But when my children ask that I pray for them, I know they have a special concern—a real concern--because like all children, more often than not, they seem to think they are invincible. “David has learned a hard lesson first hand: people die in war. Even well-meaning, good people die in war.” While I support my son, my daughter (who is also serving in the US Army as an Army nurse) and my husband (a LTC in the Army Reserves) and their decision to serve our country, I do not support many of the decisions that the administration has made over the last three years. I cannot comprehend why our entry was permitted without the accountability of a fully formed strategy. That our President has stated that another president and the government of Iraq will decide when our troops withdraw leaves me incensed. I cannot imagine what my friends who have lost sons think; and I can only speculate on the sorrow that my son carries in his heart now. Attached is my son’s picture. Would you please see that it is added to the prayer wall. My son is appealing for prayers—not only for himself but for his fellow soldiers and even the Iraqi Army with whom he serves. Thank you, Father, and thank you for your prayers and insights that help keep us moving forward, one day at a time, one step at a time—hard as it is sometimes! Marlene Marlene Schaffer ~ freedom isn't free ~ please pray for our troops ~ and bring them home ~ |
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Saturday: 5:30 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:15 am Holy Days: 8:15 am, 7:00 pm Reconciliation |
visit: 13715 SW Walker Rd., Beaverton, OR 97005 call: 503-643-9528 email: parish office |
