Easter Sunday

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen" LUKE 24:1-5, NRSV

This is one of the most important days on the Christian Calendar. I will spend this Easter with my family at the Presbyterian Church in Leavenworth, Kansas; followed by an Easter Dinner. Last Easter, I was in Camp Ramadi, Iraq with the 1st BCT, 3rd ID. Easter was the last Sunday of our tour. Our brigade was scheduled to RIP/TOA the next week. For my friend Chaplain (MAJ) Dave Bowerman, the Brigade Chaplain, this was his last major service at Camp Ramadi prior to our departure for Kuwait and return to Hunter AAF and Fort Stewart, Georgia. I remember the feeling as we introduced our replacements from the Standing Joint Force Headquarters to our battle rhythm. I remember how upbeat we all were at the service, as we prepared to hand over the reigns to our successors. It was the best possible way to spend Easter deployed, as we departed a few days later with the spirit of the risen Christ at our backs like a warm breeze as we left Iraq for home.

In this season of rebirth, pray for our deployed soldiers and remember the families of those serving.

God Bless,

Rick