Veterans Day Reflections

Veterans Day

By Partha-sarathi Dasa with some edit.

Here in America, we celebrate Veterans Day. This is a day that the
United States honors and thanks the members of our armed forces for
all the sacrifices they have made. The President lays flowers on
Soldiers’ graves and politicans give speeches.  Schools are closed on and
stress is given to the importance of selfless service and dedication
to defending the freedom of the United States. It is a day the quiet
heros are glorified. For me this day takes on a special meaning, a
spiritually packed meaning. A day to reflect on missions in Iraq and
what transpired in an unmarked Army that is the most powerful force.

Dying is also a powerful force and in my experience in Iraq death came in
many ways. For some soldiers it came quickly and they cannot focus the mind
on God. Instead they thought of family, friends, even dogs. Some even blamed
God for the situation they are in. But for others, by the mercy of the Holy
Name death came fearlessly, without ego, without regrets.

Arrangements of a special kind were made for some of those boys. A personal
arrangement by Krsna - the powerful force of the Holy Names. The Lord
arranged for them that someone was there to speak Krsna katha to them as
they were taking their last breath.

I have seen many people die, and Krsna gave me the intelligence to focus and
chant the Holy Name to them. One boy, smiled and said, “For so long I
avoided you and Krsna, I thought you were so stupid. But now, I see I am
dying and God is the only one here with me”. With that statement, the life
air left him.

Today I am reflecting upon the deaths of young soldiers who left their
bodies with the Holy Name on their tongue. Boys who expired with no fear of
death - not because of false ego, not because they were so tough. No, it was
because Krsna made all arrangements for them at the time of death.

It is a day I acknowledge Bhaktas Antony and Andrew, who are pushing forward
the ‘force’, the preaching I started in a war torn country. They are
neglecting their own comforts, and they are focusing their minds on giving
Krsna to others.  They are two of the many soldiers in Lord Caitanya’s army.
On this Veterans Day, I pray that a new generation of Iraqi preachers will
keep the ‘unmarked Army’ going. I received this letter from Bhakta Andrew
today:

(italics would make it easier to read)
I am glad to hear that all is well with you, Partha. Things are
difficult here.

A few days ago, we had a few casualties who were severely wounded by
an EFP. The casualty that I was given the duty of providing care to,
had a very low pulse and was not breathing. I ended up pumping this
soldier’s chest in CPR for 20 minutes until the MEDEVAC helicopter
arrived. He passed after he arrived at the hospital in Baghdad.

While I was doing CPR I found myself chanting the Maha Mantra. This
was amazing to me, because I had not chanted in a few days, as we had
been so busy and it simply slipped my mind.

Krsna is here.

Krsna is in Sadr City as he is with all of us.
your servant
Andrew

In a conversation with Prabhupada in Los Angeles, on may 25, 1972,
Prabhupada states:

Prabhupäda: That is the point. Our advancement means the more we meet
opposing elements, “Oh, that is alright.” Therefore preacher is the best
devotee because he is a soldier. Just like government gives all
importance to the fighting soldier. When there is war, all comforts for the
soldier first, then the civil people. There was no butter in Germany, there
was no butter. But the soldiers were profusely supplied with butter. And
sometimes when the enemy attacks, they throw it away and go away and go to
another shelter and still there is butter. That my Godbrother (indistinct)
when he first came to India I asked him that, “I heard that you German
people are very robust, stout and strong, why you are so thin and weak?” So
he replied me in this way that, “In my childhood when I was eight years old
weekly I was getting butter for (indistinct)”. Everything was controlled,
even for children. But the soldiers, there was no control. So that is, my
point is,that those who are soldiers, fighting on behalf of Kåñëa, they are
brave soldiers. Na ca tasmän manuñyeñu kaçcin me priya-kåttamaù [Bg. 18.69].
Kåñëa says, “Nobody is dearer than him who is in the process of preaching
this Bhagavad-gétä.” So, in order to become very dear to Kåñëa… Actually
that is the position.

Yours in Srila Prabhupada’s service,
Partha-sarathi Dasa