GAIL WHITE Send our troops overseas armed with our prayers, support

We first heard of Saddam Hussein's capture on our way to church.
My husband wanted to turn around and go home so he could get complete news coverage of the event. I assured him the media outlets would still be discussing the capture after services.
Walking into the church sanctuary, I saw a man dressed in soldier's garb off to the side. Immediately, my heart leaped with pride. Our country had just captured an ominous figure, and this soldier was a representation of that victory.
As we made our way to our seats, we passed the soldier. He stood tall, as if at attention, yet there was a glassy look to his eyes. The contrast struck me as we quickly walked by.
Later in the service, our pastor's wife asked the soldier to stand.
"This is Sgt. Richard Swanson," Pauline announced. "He will be heading to Iraq. When do you leave?"
"This afternoon," the sergeant responded.
Pauline gasped along with the rest of the church.
"This afternoon?" she said, shocked. Regaining her composure she insisted, "Make sure we pray for you before you leave the service."
Bombarded by thoughts
I didn't hear much of Pastor Don's sermon. My head was ringing with thoughts.
For more than a year all over our country, young men and women have been shipped out for active duty overseas. We read about their accomplishments and tragedies in the paper, but it always seems half a world away.
Seeing this soldier at church put a face on the war on terror for me.
His square shoulders, straight back and firm chin were filled with American pride. His glassy eyes and fingers wrapped around his wife's hand revealed a man with a heart torn between love and duty.
Talking with Sgt. Richard E. Swanson, I heard the sentiments of every other soldier I have ever spoken with.
"I've been ready to go do something since 9/11," he said with deep-rooted resolve.
Swanson's deployment with the 454th Transportation Company out of Columbus will take him to Indiana for 14 days. Then, he will be refueling tanks, bringing in water and providing supplies for his fellow servicemen in Iraq.
"We'll do anything that needs done," Swanson says of his company.
That's an American soldier for you.
A struggle
Swanson was with a different unit not very long ago. That unit was shipped to Iraq several months ago.
"They've been ambushed 10 or 12 times," he shares.
"Aren't you scared?" I asked him, just as I have asked so many of our service heroes.
Again, his answer is the same as the rest.
"No," he says slowly. They all answer that question slowly. Their minds tell them that they should be scared, but their conscience won't let them.
After the church service, Swanson made his way to the front of the church and a group prayed for his safety and quick return.
Then, the group turned to pray for Jamie, Swanson's wife. While the sergeant's eyes remained glassy, tears flowed freely down Jamie's cheeks.
"This is the longest we will be apart in 16 years," Jamie said, sobbing.
"We'll be here for you," church members said as they embraced her. I could see comfort wash across her face.
With the capture of Saddam Hussein, we have caught the face behind the terror, but the war on terror rages on.
Every soldier has a family. Every freedom fighter has a story. They all struggle between their love of life and their duty to protect life for others.
Let us not send our brave soldiers like Swanson overseas without the support that they and their families need. God forbid, we send one soldier over there without our prayers.
gwhite@vindy.com