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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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LEARNING WHO YOUR REAL FRIENDS ARE In a recent column I wrote about an ex-soldier in his thirties who faced call-up to Iraq, although he had been out of the Army for six years and now has four small children. Readers who know me personally realized I was writing about my youngest son, Bill. At that time there seemed to be no way for him to avoid active duty. When I filed that article, my wife and I were visiting Bill and his family to help them prepare for the difficult period of separation that lay ahead. Bill had tried various avenues of appeal. He had contacted both his U. S. representative and senator. The senator sits on the Armed Services Committee, so he seemed a likely source of help. Indeed, a designated staff member handled only military inquiries. Ultimately, though, this turned out to be mostly a paper-shuffling exercise. Bill reported that the senator’s people were very courteous, but nothing ever came of his inquiry. The office of Bill’s representative was more helpful, going so far as to arrange a telephone conference with a civilian official in the Army department which orders Individual Ready Reserve officers to active duty. Everyone in the conference was very sympathetic, Bill said, but no solution emerged. The Army official said Bill should have resigned his commission to get off the IRR – although he could point to no regulation specifying that. Bill said the Congressman’s staffer was very frustrated that she could do no more for him. During our visit we discussed strategy with Bill and his wife. Bill had a Delay and Exemption package from the Army. By merely submitting it, he could get a delay of four to six weeks. But without a strong case for an exemption, Bill thought he would probably have to go anyway. Thus, the delay would merely keep him in limbo for a month or more, making it difficult for him to concentrate on his work. Bill thought he should report as ordered and start his service. It seemed the sensible course. At our departure a few days later, Bill was subdued but resolute. Throughout the call-up ordeal Bill’s employer, a southern home-building company named David Weekley Homes, has been absolutely first-rate. As soon as Bill’s manager saw the orders, he placed Bill on administrative leave with full pay so he could arrange his affairs without distraction. Every level of Bill’s management has treated him and his wife wonderfully. Bill has been a very productive builder for DWH, but their help in this situation transcends business. One upper-level manager said they would do whatever was necessary to make sure Bill returned to the company after his service. Bill’s colleagues and staff have been very kind and generous, too. Bill lives in the development he is building. While we were visiting, a steady stream of his people stopped by to talk and offer assistance in various ways. A few days before Bill’s reporting date the whole gang threw a restaurant party for Bill and his wife and gave them a check for $3,000. Later, Bill’s manager stopped by with hundreds of dollars more in gifts. Bill knew some people had given $100 or more. “It was very humbling to receive such generosity,” he told me. Folks from Bill’s church have also been terrific – just as you would expect from Christians. A group of men came by to help Bill finish some work on his house before his departure. Ladies from the Bible class Bill and his wife attend have offered to help her in various ways while Bill is gone. She has received many assurances that she won’t be forgotten. The pastor and his wife stopped by a week before Bill’s reporting date to assure them of the church’s support. Although the prospect of being in a war zone, far from his family, for 18 months was daunting, Bill was prepared to report and trust God for the outcome. “I don’t think it’s right,” he said, “but I’m not the first person caught in an administrative tangle. I believe it will work out.” On our end, attempts to interest clergy and national politicians at our church in Bill’s situation had failed. A week before Bill’s date there seemed to be no cards left to play. Then came a faint glimmer of light. Soon after our visit, Bill sent me a copy of DoD Directive 1235.13, dated July 16, 2005. He had received it from another inactive officer – a 40-year-old man with five children – who also had orders to report. That officer’s attorney had found the directive. It looked like it covered Bill’s situation. But why had he still been called? In the DC area Dan and Arlene have been our close friends for over 40 years. Our children grew up together, and our children’s children are friends, too. Their daughter suggested we talk with Dan about Bill’s dilemma. Dan arranged for me to speak with his cousin, Gene, who works at a high level in the Pentagon. Gene took Bill’s data and promised to look into his case. A few hours later Gene called back and electrified our household by reporting that Bill would be released if he applied for an exemption. He said the new DoD directive applies, but there had been a delay in implementing it. It was the 11th-hour miracle we had prayed for. Bill was still dubious, but he agreed to inquire. The sergeant he spoke with was amazed that Bill knew of the new directive. “You must be well connected,” he said. The sergeant then became “very helpful”, Bill later reported. Next day, the Army called Bill to say he had only to resign his commission to be fully released from the IRR and from any additional duty. Bill faxed the form. The ordeal was over. That night I had my first good night of sleep in weeks. I imagine Bill and his wife did, too. In the joyous dénouement we teased Bill about the windfall from his colleagues. Bill plans to use it to establish a benevolent fund for DWH employees who have emergencies or special needs. Across the great tide of human affairs this small crisis is hardly a blip. But it was big to us. And it put some things in sharp focus. We saw Christians act like a real community (although a few forgot who they were supposed to be). The kindness and generosity of Bill’s colleagues and employees also said something important about them and about the kind of man they think Bill is. These things made lasting imprints on our family. In the crunch, though, it all came down to one family helping another. Our friends helped Bill and his family not because there was any gain in it for them, but because they valued the friendship and because they cared. We’ll never forget it. When the young Elizabeth learned that she had escaped all the dangers and threats to her life, and had actually become queen, she quoted from the Psalms. With much emotion I recalled that verse to Bill as we spoke of the amazing developments: “This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:23)
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