A Special Flag
The pilots of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VFMA) 251 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) were stunned as they watched the events of September 11th unfold on live television while gathered in their squadron ready room. A few days later they were underway bound for the Arabian Sea and coast of Pakistan. There have been few deployments of Marine warriors at a more auspicious moment.
During the night of October 17th Colonel Ray Damm and Captain Simon Doran, with two Navy pilots, flew the first strike mission into Afghanistan. Just after midnight, the Roosevelt turned into the wind to launch the Marines’ F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. At that moment an American flag was hoisted from the ship’s halyard. As it snapped in the wind blowing across the flight deck, the Sailors and Marines on the ship gathered to watch in awed silence. Many eyes filled with moisture during this emotional moment. The flag had flown over the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on September 11th, had been recovered from the rubble, and delivered to the Roosevelt for this event.[1]
We probably don’t understand deeply felt emotion for a flag, or any other symbol, unless we have served it and even suffered for it. The symbol of our faith, the cross, represents Jesus’ suffering for us, and takes on a deeper meaning when we serve and suffer in some way for him. It’s unlikely we will face a wartime situation like these men on the Roosevelt, or an ordeal such as that endured by our Savior. However, any risk we take, or sacrifice we make, to share our faith will bring us closer to the place we need to be ---the foot of the cross.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
~Romans 8:17
(This story is from Larkin’s book: Stories of Faith and Courage from the Marines.)
[1] Allison, Fred. “Thunderbolts: Strike First Marine Corps Blow Against Taliban.” Leatherneck Magazine, November 2002.