Article February 4, 2013 Issue

Peace as a river

Lynne Cook

“I joined the Navy to serve my country, and I just don’t feel like I’m doing that while sitting in a submarine in dry-dock.” That’s what our son said to my husband and me just before announcing that he had decided to volunteer to join an Army unit in Iraq.

I knew that this powerful peace could strengthen and ease the hearts of all in harm’s way.

Since his announcement was made a few years ago when the conflict in Iraq was near its height, our pride over our son’s selfless decision was mixed with a good dose of concern for his safety. Before we knew it, his several weeks of special training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina were completed, and our son was off to “the desert.” 