Avalon Chronicles #102: "Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior"

Avalon Chronicles #102: "Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior"

by Allen B. Clark         allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com  www.combatfaith.blogspot.com

West Point class of 1963.

Assigned to Army Special Forces Vietnam 1966-1967. Recipient Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Double leg amputee from mortar shrapnel.

“Allen’s story has the potential to touch many lives. It is a message of struggle, perseverance, courage, and hope,’ noted Ross Perot in the foreword to Allen’s book, Wounded Soldier Healing Warrior. (Note: Ross Perot died this month. He was always so supportive of me in many of my endeavors. My autobiography for which he wrote the Foreword officially is out of print, but some copies are still offered on Amazon, new and used).

Personal note: I had a large print run made of the following verbiage in color print format with photos. I distribute it at my presentations and to veterans and military. If anyone desires multiple copies of the tract, let me know at email above and I will mail without charge.

Twenty-two years in active military service or in service to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs are a part of my life. I imagine I have heard the width and breadth of military experiences; the sheer terror when under fire, the sadness for those killed beside us, the regrets of the medics because not all were saved. Also, we recall the agony of the battlefield memories, the sleepless years, the triggers of war, wives talking about the weapons close at hand and the explosive tempers. There never seems to be any real lasting relief and many suffer until their deaths, albeit with counseling, psycho-therapy, group sessions and years of pills. Each of us has our own demons. In 1968 I had my own personal brush with Post Traumatic Stress after losing both legs below the knees in a mortar attack on my Special Forces camp in Vietnam. I had been back eight months and was stressed out with fears of ever walking with artificial legs, of ability to have and raise children, and of having gainful employment upon my release from Brooke General Hospital amputee ward at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. I harbored anger and sadness.

Without sleep for four days I had to be admitted to a closed psychiatric ward for fourteen weeks in duration and required individual psychotherapy for the next five years until 1973, but, by the grace and healing power of God and the love and caring of Jesus, I have needed neither anti-depressants nor a psychiatrist since then (forty years ago as of this writing). 

There are two elements that are critical to our healing; resiliency and identity. Our resiliency is our ability to bounce back and recover from setbacks. We have two identities, one as a patriotic, loyal, and courageous warrior. The second, and more important, is our identity as a person of faith. My own identity is as a committed and faithful Christian. This identity is reflected in four ways: 1. We all have sinned and broken God’s laws. 2. We deserve to be punished for our sins. 3. Jesus Christ died for our sins. He paid the penalty for all the guilt and sin we have committed and provided a gift to us. 4. We can only receive this gift by personal acceptance of Jesus as Savior.

Warfare of and by itself is an ultimate case of warfare of our soul and spirit, but we have the choice of allowing our healing to proceed through our religious/spiritual maturation. However, many of us turn instead to the abuse of substances to mask our problems. We succumb to the wrong choices to self-medicate.

Ultimately our ability to be healed, if not at least being able to cope with our issues, will be based upon a spiritual healing. One of the most important things we must do is forgive ourselves and others for mistakes encountered in “the fog of war.” We cannot even have a chance for healing unless we recall the issues from our military service (and before and after) that continue to be a burden to us. We must not harbor bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness to all others whose actions impacted our lives. We all have sins in our lives besides the “stupids” we committed. Unless we ask forgiveness for our sins through confession, we will not have our decks cleared to receive God’s forgiveness and begin our opportunity for spiritual healing. In God’s word it is written, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” Matt. 6:14-15. It is assured that I want my sins forgiven.

A method I use for the healing process (suggested to me by minister Liberty Savard) is to audit three arenas of my life: unhealed hurts, unmet needs, unresolved issues. These are evident in all lives but especially those of us who have been to war. Once these are listed, then we must list in another column what it would take to heal the hurt, meet the need and resolve the issue. Then column three very simply is to pray that column two is satisfied. It is simple and can be a guide for all of us.

Jesus allowed me to be saved from my battlefield wounds to return and be able to live my life again. I now know He was there and with me through all my recovery and rehabilitation which continues even today as I seek to follow Him in all my ways. I have accepted Him as Savior, and know I live only by the grace of God. The rest of the story: not only have I grown in my faith over the years, but also in my height from 5’9” to 6’2” with new artificial legs!

My peace and hope is found in Jesus Christ. Jesus offers all who believe/trust in Him forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life. The Bible says,“For God loved the world so much that he gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Trust/believe in Christ today and receive His peace. You can tell Him through a prayer like this:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin, and that You rose from the dead to give me the gift of eternal life. I now trust in You as my Savior.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you...Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Jesus. (John 14: 27).