People

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The Colonel
© 2008

by

Stephen A. Peterson


In the middle of his fifth deployment to Iraq, Marine Sergeant Tony Dunn was seriously injured when his lower left leg was blown away during a battle with insurgents. Many Marines, former high school classmates and friends called, wrote letters and sent e-mails to inform Sergeant Dunn that they were praying for him and for his speedy recovery from his injury. Sergeant Dunn stated and wrote a general appreciation statement that every call and every written form of communication was received with gratification for the many prayers and well wishes received from everyone who wished him well. One letter, however, stood out in particular. The letter was one he received from a retired Army Colonel.

The Colonel wrote: “This is the prayer I pray for you every morning at seven o’clock: Almighty God and Father, shine Your healing light on Sergeant Tony Dunn, lovingly heal his mind and his body of the pains of war and restore his spirits. I pray in the most Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, that Sergeant Dunn will continue to believe in You, be restored to good health and live joyfully throughout the days of his life. These things I pray. Amen.”

Seventeen days after Sergeant Dunn received the Colonel’s letter, he was visited by him in Walter Reed Army Hospital. Like Sergeant Dunn, the Colonel had no legs and was confined to a wheelchair. His gray haired fatherly figure and wide smile touched Sergeant Dunn aiding in his recovery. The two men became instant friends.

By visiting him, telling him when he would be praying for him and what he would be praying for gave Sergeant Dunn something specific that he could hold on to. Also knowing that he had suffered very similar injuries help him immensely. For he knew the Colonel had gone down a similar path in life as he (Sergeant Dunn) had gone. Sergeant Dunn knew that every day the Colonel would he present in spirit, through prayer, even though he may not be so physically.

After his experience, Sergeant Dunn decided that when someone needed his prayers that he will remember that warm, glowing gesture of his new friend, the Colonel.

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