So how does a dad of seven, Catechist, Vacation Bible School teacher, scout leader, soccer coach and in general very active volunteer for youth who is returning to school in a few weeks for a masters in Lay Ministry get hooked up with an abortion? Oh how the past can haunt us.
At this point, in my 45th year, it was half a lifetime ago. I was a young lieutenant in the Army, a platoon leader for a group of soldiers who were mostly just a year or two my junior and fortunately, a handful of very seasoned NCOs to keep a young officer pointed in the right direction. I’d been working in college toward a likely career in social work. Hadn’t expected to actually be doing it in uniform.
But I disgresss…
She was young, single and pregnant. Not her first time and I dare say it wouldn’t be her last. A good soldier. Hard worker. Was always where she was supposed to be, doing what she was supposed to do in spite of obvious personal problems. No real support system beyond her peers in uniform and although I recall many of them fondly even a couple decades down the road, they were mostly as young and green as she was. So she came to me. I don’t know that she even asked one of the sergeants. In hindsight, perhaps something I ought to have pursued. She wanted an abortion, had come up with the money and knew where she needed to go (that “not her first time” thing I mentioned..). What she didn’t have was a way to get there. I agreed to drive her.
I waited in the parking lot. Sooner than I expected, she returned. No words were spoken other than a very quiet thank you as I dropped her off back at the company barracks. She lived off post, but alone as far as I knew. I had done my duty. I’d taken care of my troops. Or so I thought.
A good fifteen years went by before I gave that day a thought. Since then, it has crossed my mind every day. Confession may have cleansed my own soul but doesn’t erase the memory. About a year ago, I joined the Silent No More campaign. If you have a story, you should too.
Silent No More
