A Soldier Returns, a True Warrior

Tonight I saw my friend Ben for the first time since he returned 2 weeks ago from his tour of duty in Iraq. We met as counselors for the local Ecumenical Youth Group, and before going off to war unexpectedly, Ben was working as a real estate agent and appraisor, and had joined the National Gaurd to get himself through school. Before he left we talked a lot about the war, and at the time he felt confident that he was involved in actions that were for the good of the Iraqi people, and that our government was not in the wrong. Though I disagreed with him, he is a well spoken young man, and he can definitely hold his own in conversation, so I wished him well when he left and prayed for him regularly in my own way, especially when we received word from him. As the year went on, his beliefs started to drastically change.
He worked as a gaurd at a war prison. Tonight he was still wearing his combat boots and green fatigue-like cargo pants. WHen we hugged I wanted to hold on to him and not ever let go. His face was radiant, and there was a glow about him, the glow of culture shock, of the all around shock of returning smack dab into this crazy commercial "comfortable" country fresh out of a world of violence and routine. His head was freshly shaven, and he had a good tan, a good fitness and thickness about him. Looking at him I could tell he was more used to carrying a gun than being embraced. It made me want to hold him tighter.
He shared with me some things I felt honored to hear. About his Buddhist practice that sustained him through the hard times of mortar attacks and bodies blown apart around him. About being utterly alone in his practice and feeling ostracized for his beliefs. He told me about meditating on his prayer beads while doing watch in the gaurd tower at night, or while desperately trying to solve conflicts without violence. He made me think of Thich Nhat Hahn, who has written much about practicing Buddhism in the midst of war, and Pema Chodron who wrote that she feels so lucky to have been awakened to the suffering of people's hearts. Yes, that was the glow he had -- one of great compassion. I am so grateful that Ben has returned home safe and that I have the chance to be touched by his experiences. I can't wait to get to know him better.