Faith

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The Soldier And The Man
© 2008

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Army Specialist Albert Booth was separated from his squad during a fierce insurgent attack. He did not want to scream out for help and give away his whereabouts to the enemy. Night would be coming soon and those able to return to base camp would do so. Anyone left would have to wait until the next day when patrols would be sent out to look for the missing. Suddenly, out of the heat of an Iraqi evening, looking like he had just stepped out of a Sir Conan Doyle novel, an Arabic man approached the weary soldier without hesitation or fear. Though fearful, Specialist Booth did not scream out nor did he raise his rifle to fire at the man.

In English, the man said, “Good evening, American soldier, may I help you?”

“Well, no sir. I’ll be okay. I’m waiting for members of my unit to come by. They’ll be here soon,” said the tire, hungry and now even more fearful soldier.

“I really don’t mind and I can help. You look so tired and there are enemy combatants nearby. Are you sure I can’t help you?”

“Oh, no, I’m certain. I’ll be just fine! But thanks once again.”

With an angelic smile, he threw what looked to be a tunic over his left shoulder. “Then I’ll return to my house for it is not safe being on the street when the sun goes down. Have a blessed evening, American soldier.”

To avoid detection, Specialist booth crawled as quickly as he could into an abandoned building to wait and to get a little sleep if he could. As dawn crested the eastern horizon, there stood an imposing figure of a man. The same man who had offered the Specialist assistance the day before.

“How are you this blest morning, American soldier? May I help you with something?”

Specialist Booth shook his head indicating he needed no help.

Reaching for his pouch, the man took out bread, cheese and a flask of water and encouraged Specialist Booth to eat and drink. All of this time the man remained by his side watching the surrounding buildings. As he ate his fears mounted. He began to wonder if anyone was out searching for him. He prayed: “Lord, please let an American unit somewhere be out looking for me. I’m really afraid right now about this whole situation. Please, Lord.”
In answer to his prayer, his fear suddenly vanished. And although Specialist Booth was not one who would readily agree that a sane, normal person actually could hear the voice of God—he heard: “Albert! My child. The man with you has been sent to help you not harm or betray you. Fear not!”

Having finished his food and drink, Specialist Booth handed the strange man his flask as he knelt beside him. Finally, “American soldier! Members of your Army are here. They will be here very soon.” The man got up, walked twenty steps in direction of the sun vanishing into the heat of an Iraqi summer morning. Within minutes voices of American soldiers could be heard.

“Hey, Booty! Everybody thought you were killed,” hollered Sergeant Mann. “C’mon, let’s get outta here! This place is crawling’ with bad guys! It’s a miracle you’re alive, Booty!”

When Specialist Booth told this story, most believed he was suffering from the stress of combat. Others believed the soldier met an angel. In the soldier’s mind, whoever the person was, he knew for certain, he was of God, sent to help and protect him. Specialist Booth remained in Iraqi for 18 more months. He never saw the man again or anyone resembling him.

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