My Journal Writings from Balad AB, Iraq
April 2005 – Sept 2005
The following is an account of my fourth deployment into the Global War on Terror. I wrote this as a weekly journal/email account I sent back home to supporters who prayed diligently on our behalf. May whoever reads this account remember the freedoms they enjoy were not free, but were paid for by these men and women and many like them still serving today.
#1
Fellow Warriors:
First, thanks for being part of my journey into Iraq. Your prayers will mean everything not just to me, but to everyone our team ministers to in Balad. I don’t have much to share at this moment as we have not firmed up what we are going to be assigned to.
So I will just say enjoy the picture that is attached and keep us lifted up in your prayers. Your prayers are important. Since being here for 3 days we have had numerous attacks on our base and while I am not allowed to be specific with information, we were informed we are the 2nd most dangerous place to be in Iraq. But I do not have to tell you that in the arms of God nothing is impossible and safety is not a question.
This place is the United States in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention. They are actually doing what our fore-fathers did way back when we became a country. Such an important work building a country where freedom will be guaranteed to all. These warriors all around me are risking their lives to ensure just that. Greater love has no man that he would lay down his life for a friend.
Yesterday I met an Iraqi-American. He moved to the USA 10 years ago and is back here as a linguist. He said thank you to me. As I questioned him about what he thought of his country today he told me it was wonderful to see freedom come to Iraq. That’s what it is about and that is what we can pray for, spiritual freedom and physical freedom. We all need it. May we all understand the price that has been paid for it.
So this is it, where the spiritual battle meets the physical battle happening all around me. With you as my allies and with the battle already won for us at the cross, we will overcome every obstacle. Remind me I said that in about a month, LOL.
Please feel free to share this email with friends, coworkers, and other loved ones…
ABPnews will publish one entry a week from the journal then-Capt. Charles Seligman kept while deployed to Iraq as an Air Force chaplain in 2005. Now a major, Seligman currently serves as the deputy wing chaplain for the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He is endorsed by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
You can read more of his story published September 11, 2013.