The author Kris Coppinger and her husband Tim were seminary students at Trinity School for Ministry (class of 94) during my time there. This article was posted on St Michael's Church Charleston SC website. Kris served as a curate there shortly after ordination and before her current service as an Air Force Chaplain.
[Name deleted] Air Field , Afghanistan
I just attended my second fallen comrade ceremony. This time
only one casket – one too many. I got to go inside the aircraft as part of a
group and render final respects. Salute the casket, kneel to pray, salute the
casket, and then march out the aircraft. The young man’s middle name was
Miguel. I didn’t know him like most of the people present at the ceremony, yet
we went. It was the least we could do. As I write this I feel tears welling up.
He was part of the team. A week ago he was probably laughing with his friends
at some forward operating base. And now this. On my way off the airfield, as I
was going out through the American hospital gate, I spoke with one of the
security force troops manning the post. He is leaving our [name deleted] Air
Field, Afghanistan
in a couple of weeks. However, since his arrival 6 months ago, he has seen
about 60 of these solemn ceremonies. When I heard that, I was angry and sad and
proud all at the same time. Angry at this war and man’s inhumanity to man, sad
at the loss of life and the loss of innocence for way too many young people,
and proud of Miguel and others like him who gave their lives and proud of those
who continue to stand guard.
I also know that this is only one step of the long journey
home. He will be met by another chaplain at Dover AFB, Delaware .
Then by another minister or chaplain who will preside over his funeral. Lives
will change forever. I want to scream, “WHY?!,” but my faith is not weakened.
Yet I do not have to like what I do not claim to understand. Thanks be to God
for those who still care about the ideals of equality, democracy, and a safe
world who are willing to put themselves in the harm’s way so that those ideals
might ultimately triumph.
“Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the
living and the dead: We give you thanks for all your servants who have laid
down their lives in the service of their country. Grant to them your mercy and
the light of your presence; and give us such a lively sense of your righteous
will, that the work which you have begun in them may be perfected; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.” (A Prayer Book for The Armed Services,
2008, p. 58)
THE REV KRISTINA Y. COPPINGER, Ch, Maj, USAF
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