a story of modern warfare

When it comes to history (in particular, military history), I usually dive into all elements of it. In Jr. high, I was your typical Jr. high guy who hung out with my buddies, played on the school's basketball team, even played in the band, and had my first official girlfriend in the 8th grade.... wow back then in Wes' world, she was smokin' hot! But I was also very much intrigued by the American Civil War. I read up on it and became an even bigger dork by going to various battle re-enactments.

I remember almost 4 years ago, when I first saw the preview for the movie "Black Hawk Down." I just had to see it... I counted down the days. It wasn't just because of my interest in exploring the elements of this moment in our military history. In fact, the main reason I wanted to see it was because I remember it happening. I was a sophomore in high school (16 years old) and I remember when CNN showed the footage of our soldiers being pulled out of the shot-down choppers and dragged through the streets of Mogidishu.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I finished reading a book that was authored by one of the few survivors of the two Black Hawk helicopters that got shot down. He was the pilot of "Super-Six Four" and his name is Mike Durant. He was the only one in the entire conflict who was taken captive. His book is entitled "In the Company of Heros." It's a moment-by-moment recollection of his days in Somalian captivity and how he was released.

Right now, I'm in the middle of the book that inspired the movie to be made. It's rightly titled, "Black Hawk Down" and it is very insightful and quite honestly, even hard to read sometimes because of the realities of the details and the realities that some of the guys who died in that 18 hour battle were just a couple of years older than me when it all took place.

Everyone most definitely has somekind of "hot sports opinion" on the current war in Iraq and Afganistan. I'm not here to promote my stance on it because quite honestly, I am probably quite ignorant on the facts of the politics... after all, it all comes down to who you believe... the "right" or the "left." It's hard to imagine that all of America can be put in only two categorical boxes, but for some reason, those two stances seem to dominate the entire political landscape.

My main point is, after reading these stories of guys our age, we find out that in their minds, it has nothing to do with politics. Most didn't join so they could kill or go to war, they just wanted an adventure, a life of risk, and even help those in need. Most of these guys are documented, saying that they knew when joining the military they might go to war, but they honestly believed if they did, it would be a show of force without much bloodshed. Their being young showed their naivete. But war is exactly where they find themselves, right in the heart of Mogidishu.

I highly recommend either one of these books. It may not be the most cheery of all reads, but it will definitely take you into the world of guys our age, who encountered the most horrifying experience, and tell the tale of their courage, their loyalty to one another, and some of them even had respect for the people that were trying to kill them. Some of them didn't come back home alive. It's a story not about polictics, but about soldiers risking their lives to save the lives of their fellow friends and brothers and helping restore hope (in a very ironic way) to a group of people that most of the world had never heard of.

For anyone who's interested in where I get all this fervor for military history, a lot of it comes from those who are close to me and have served during one time or another. My dad served during the Vietnam War, my grandfater Baker during WWII, a dear friend of mine, Bob Howard, during the Korean War and Vietnam War. Currently, another good friend of mine (and many others) Brandon Moore is serving as an Army Chaplain. Guys like Joe Mollet and Donnie Case served in the 80s, and even during the first Gulf War. The main thing I learn from all of these guys, is that it's out of duty, opportunity, and loyalty. Politics is just a method the politicians use, these guys are on a whole different level.

a story of modern warfare

Please, for the love... no more Photograph!

Let me just say that living in a university town is really cool because you're crammed in a small geographical area with 20,000 people our age (or fairly close to our age) and there's always something fun and cool going on. Plus, if you're a big fan of college sports, then the perks are even better.

One of the perks is the wide range of radio stations... we have it all down here. I'd have to say, the local rock and alternative rock stations are pretty cool and they seem to be in it more for the music and not so much for all the crazy pay phrases, games, etc.

Perhaps the biggest bonus is that we can pick up one of the best alternative rock stations in the entire nation... 105.7 The Point out of St. Louis.

But enough with Nickelback's Photograph! Does it have to be played every 5 minutes? If one station isn't playing it, it's almost guaranteed some other station is. Nickelback is a decent band with a cool sound, but let's tone down the number of times we play Photograph. The only station that has really toned it back is The Point... I just hope the other local stations get a clue and do the same thing.

Please, for the love... no more Photograph!

those crazy scissor-jacks

Fridays are my day off, and I do all that I can to use them as days off, but most of the time I'm a big dork and I still go into the office for one reason or another. Today, I only had two objectives: find the van keys that I lost on Wednesday, and try out a fun new machine in our gym. This past Wednesday night, one of the 4th graders kicked a kickball 25 feet into the air and did a super job of getting it stuck between the ceiling and the air duct. I thought he was going to cry when he told me about it, because he thought I was going to make him climb up there and get it... but I was like, "Hey, that's an amazing kick man, we should take a picture because wedging a ball way up there is way hard to do." So, we have this scissor-jack that just sits in our gym. Today, I thought I'd see if I could start it, move it, and then raise it 25-30 feet to unwedge this kickball. It was FUN! I couldn't stop there... I went to the highest point of the gym (about 35 feet) and thought I'd see if this scissor-jack could raise that high. It sure does! When you get up that high and look down, you're higher than it originally seems from the ground. By the way, the platforms on those things are real shaky and feel somewhat tipsy when they're that high. That's what makes it so much fun!

So, I did that and was unable to find the van keys. But, Laura, our worship director/temporary secretary/intern did find the extra set in some desk drawer... which is a good thing because the van is parked fairly close to the main entrance, and my butt would be grass on Sunday morning if that thing isn't moved.

Here's a blissful moment I'd like to share... my second floor apartment living room window overlooks the row of trees and a brook that separates the multiple buildings in my apartment complex. Well, with the sky being super duper clear and the snow on the ground, the setting sun made for an incredible shade of pink, blue, and red in the sky's horizon and a very quaint reflection on the snow... incredible! I always pray in those moments that others will see the same and stop for a moment to take it in... life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it (thanks Ferris Bueller for that righteous reminder.)

Take that moment, and combine it with the fact that I'm listening to Jewel's Christmas album..... ah yes, total bliss! This has been a Christmas tradition, going all the way back to the Christmas of 2000, when my fellow roommates and I would sit around RHM (with our feet propped up on the coffee table) and take in the sounds of Jewel bringing us happy Christmas moments.

those crazy scissor-jacks

once again, I'm "Lost"

Just over 36 hours ago (late on Tuesday night), I finished the last episode of season I from "Lost." Even though I'm coming in a little late on season II, I just had to record last night's show, which was a good thing, it was actually a rerun. It didn't quite answer all the questions I had, but it sure did help.

once again, I'm "Lost"

crossing the line of compromise

It's Tuesday night, and I'm chillin at my place, catching glimpses of the Kansas vs. St. Joe's basketball game while typing on this sweet Apple iBook. As I do so, I feel as though I have contributed to the syndrome I like to call the "Christmas Compromise."

Just a little over two weeks ago, I was at the Illinois Christian Teen Convention where Mark Moore led the main sessions and XXX Church led a very insightful and very much needed workshop on the porn industry. It was definitely a lot different than most workshops I had been to, but I will say it was very inspirational seeing two guys trust God enough to face all sorts of uncertainties and dive into the dangerous waters of this multi-billion dollar industy in order to share and proclaim the grace of Christ.... I highly recommend reading their story. Anyways, Mark was making a point, and using a bit of a joke to so, about how as soon as Halloween was over, most department stores were already decorating for Christmas. His point was, "How can I celebrate the holiday of materialism, when I have yet to celebrate the holiday of gluttony - i.e. Thanksgiving" Wow, that question hit me hard. It is my own personal belief that both these holidays are great times and ways for us to put all the stuff in life on hold, so that we may be with close friends and family and to celbrate all the facets of our faith in Christ. As a result, his point ringed in my head and heart every day since.

Today, I made up the postcard invitation for this Sunday night's big Jr. high and Sr. high Christmas Celebration. As I made it up, I thought about how I needed to tweak the celebration by giving away some door prizes. So, we're giving away the movie "Elf" along with David Crowder's new album "Collision" and a $25 gift certificate to the mall. (David Crowder rocks my worship world). As I did that, it sounded so cool... because it's stuff that I know myself and many others would like to have for free. But it's in situations like this when I wonder when one compromises the holiness of Christ's incarnation with what is "cool" by our society standards. So, I decided to help make the door prizes more than just prizes, the kids have to bring canned goods for the local homeless shelter in order to receive more than one raffle ticket. I once heard someone say not too long ago, and at times I do believe this same thing, that the church exists to serve itself. That statement sends a pain of fear all over my body when I think about it.

I truly hope that I am not contributing to a sense of "church-self-service." Deep down, I believe that on Sunday night, we are not only giving away door prizes, but we're sharing life together and we are taking a moment to say thanks to all the volunteers as we all have dinner, play games, and hang out. I never want to be a person who comprises and deliberatley contributes to the materialistic theme of Christmas. But I do want to a person who takes Christmas as a time of being together, a time to give to each other, just as we have all been given so much.

Following Christ in a society that values consumerism, materialism, corporate success, and personal achievement is truly a challenge that I think about and face on a daily basis. I pray that the humility and grace of God continually shine on myself as well as all of us.

crossing the line of compromise

"Fifty dollar bell!"

It's late on Thursday night (just finished a really cool conversation with Ginger), and as I'm getting ready to watch the first episode on disc 6 of "Lost," I happen to turn on TBS and see that "Goonies" is playing. They're at the point where the group is still underground, trying to find One Eyed Willie and Chunk is up in the abandoned restaurant, about to be discovered by the crazy lady and her son. Ahhhhhh, the memories. In grade school, I would spend the summers with my cousins up in Springfield, Missouri, and we would watch Goonies over and over and over again. Just last week, I found myself quoting, for some random reason, "Fifty dollar bell!" One of my high school students reminds me a lot of Data... his name is Matt and he is almost just like him.

A month or so ago, A Welsh View (blog) did an interesting update on all the characters who played in Goonies and all the things they've done since and what they are all up to now... Corey Feldman, that dude is wacked!

Having Fridays off to sleep in is so much fun because Thursday nights, I'm usually up quite late checking out all kinds of stuff. I can count on Maximus to wake me up sometime in the morning, usually by 8:00 or so.

"Fifty dollar bell!"

two more additions for my "shout-outs"

- Brandon Moore (82nd Airborne - Ft. Bragg) and his friendship to me and many others as he and Susan continue to minister to our soldiers in the midst of war... you're a great guy who is missed, but know that you are doing a super ministry and many prayers and thoughts are with you and Susan... Airborne, all the way!
- Oklahoma Sooners, their seniors, their coaches, and their smearing of the "other university" in the state of Oklahoma. We wiped the OsU Cowboys (OSwho?) all over the field this past Saturday. The Sooners advanced their total wins in this series to 77, with OsU having only 16. It was a great ending to what started off as a rocky season, but then we became a super competitor in the Big XII South (as always). We end the regular season ready to head into a bowl and ready to do even better next season.

Okay, I just have to pose this question to anyone who cares about college football and in particular, OsU... OsU, why do you think your football team belongs in the Big XII? I just don't get it. Your season this year is 4-7 overall, and 1-7 in the Big XII. Granted, every team has a season or two that is less than desirable. But it's time you quit trying to play college football in Div. I-A and focus on getting coach Sutton his 800th career win in basketball. Sure, you've given the Sooners a couple of upsets in the last 5 years, but hey, you deserve it and congratulations... it has only happened 16 times in the last 100 years. I will say, you gave football a great legend in Barry Sanders and you should be proud, but that was almost 20 years ago. Where are you now? Where is your program going? Three of your four wins this season came to extremely less-than-average teams. Florida Atlantic has been in the I-A bottom ten for the entire season. Montana St. is a Div. I-AA team, and Arkansas St. is from what conference? I will give you credit for your one and only win this season in the Big XII. Texas Tech is good, and you guys held them and beat them, you even gave #2 Texas a great first half. But 1-7 in the Big XII doesn't say a whole lot and it's time for you to focus on something else, like maybe dominating Div. I-AA football. So, my recommendation for you OsU, is to face this reality, when it comes to college sports in the Sooner State, you will always be known as that "other university."

Ahhhhhhh, it always feels so good to reveal the realities of the extreme heated rivalry that is OU and OsU football. To an outsider, it may look crazy, but to all of us from Oklahoma, it's BEDLAM!

two more additions for my "shout-outs"

late november/early december "shout-outs"

Well, it's officially the first day of December 2005, so here are some "shout-outs" to say congratulations to friends, family, and events that have stood out in my life recently:

- John and Michelle Luzadder and the birth of their son, Atticus.
- Joe and Rachel Mollet and the birth of their daughter, Jocelyn.
- ICTC 2005... my church won the grand prize - iBook G4... it is sweeeeeet!
- The really cool and continually developing friendship with Ginger, our fun, eventful, and very enlightening conversations, and all the antics she sends my way about America's most beloved college football team - OU Sooners. She is a KSU Wildcat, so she definitely knows her college football and true devotion to a good team.
- Southwest Airlines and the fact that they got me home and back on Thanksgiving without being delayed and without annoying everybody by singing all of their annoucements... they are always very friendly and extremely courteious.
- Toadie and all his recent sharing of words and thoughts of how we can better pursue Christ.
- Andrew Hicks, a dear friend, who drove all the way down here to chill on Halloween, only to have my apartment tow his car.
You deserve better than that and it was great having you here, I'm still laughing about Mr. T.
- Jeff Gentry and his sharing of God's Word and his own personal experiences at our home church back in Tulsa.
- Youth Specialties giving all of us conferce attendees 30% off on some spiffy books... just finished "Missing the Point" and am getting ready to start "A Generous Orthodoxy."
- My hometown of Broken Arrow and for bringing a huge-honkin Bass Pro Shop to town to help trigger the economy and to help put us back on the national map... again! We are still one of the top 5 largest high schools in the nation almost every year in our enrollment.
- Miah and Melissa Smith and their new adventure out west.
- My cousin Curt who went all giddy for the Pittsburgh Steelers shirt I gave him during Thanksgiving... you're a great guy.
- My friend from high school, Chad, who is a petroleum engineer and is building a super nice house in Broken Arrow while
celebrating over 5 and a half months of marriage with his wife.
- Eric, for challenging me to give "Lost" a shot.
- Brooks Wilson and his comical relief of almost any given situation at almost any given time... "What's up weeeeeeeatch!"
- Toyota for making an incredibly cool truck - 2003 Tacoma 4x4.
- Maximus and for going almost 3 months without going dookie or dripping one drop of pee in the entire apartment... he knows how and when to do his stuff outside.
- The Rocky Mountains and all the mental distractions they give me each day as I dream about skiing.

(note: - the order of all of Wes' "shout-outs" have nothing to do with preference or order of importance... each highlight is equal and unique in it's own way.)

late november/early december "shout-outs"

way beyond "lost"

Two weeks ago, I was taking a van full of high school students to Springfield for the annual Illinois Christian Teen Convention. Sitting next to me in the van, was a good friend of mine, Eric, who was helping me out that weekend with the students. On the way up, he mentioned to me that he was a bit tired, after staying up extremely late throughout most of the previous evenings. When I asked what he was doing staying up so late, he said it was because he was totally obsessed with watching the first season of "Lost" on DVD. I was like, "Yeah, whatever, how can one fictional show about plane-crash survivors be so intriguing?" After all, I'm not a person who's known for diving into fiction, fantasy, or science-fiction, whether by book or by screen. In my mind, if it's not real, or if it's not a true story from history, then it will usually take someone to help "push me over the edge" to at least give it a try... it only took me 2 days to read Ernest Shakleton's recounting of his adventure in Antartica way back in the early 1900s... I love that stuff.

Well, Eric told me that all it would take is one show, and I'd be hooked. So, on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving, I had quite a relaxed week in front of me, so I thought I'd at least try it out. I rented the first 4 of 6 DVD of the first season. Each disc has 4 different episodes on each one. I was watching it not only at night, but getting up an hour early so I could grab an episode before heading to work. By Tuesday, I was renting disc 5 and tonight or tomorrow, I'm renting disc 6. That's how way beyond "lost" I have become... I am hooked and now I am one of the biggest fans of this most intriguing show.

So in essence, if you have some free evenings during these bitter cold winter months, I highly suggest diving into "Lost." It may seem crazy at first, but all it takes is just one show, and you'll be "lost!"

way beyond "lost"