Faith on the line in Iraq and at home

"There are no atheists in foxholes," the World War II adage goes. Certainly Catholics who have faced war in Iraq and their families say that the experience has strengthened faith both in foxholes and on the home front. These eight war stories provide snapshots into the lives of those most intimately affected by the Iraq War-soldiers, mothers, a chaplain, and an Iraqi refugee. Their faith may be manifested by a crucifix hanging in a Humvee, a Chaldean Mass in Jordan, or a peace protest in Chicago, but they are united by a trust in God even in the worst of situations. After five years of fighting, war fills their daily prayers and faith is an essential part of their armor.

 "I really hope somebody is praying"
Staff Sergeant Joseph Lemay, currently at Fort Stewart, Georgia, grew up in a military family. He is married and has three teenage children. Lemay served in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has been to Iraq three times.

I've had my ins and outs with the church. But my family, we have a pretty good faith. My dad is a permanent deacon. When I'd get to talk to him, he'd say, "We're praying for you." I'd say, "Keep doing it. It's working."

When I get a letter in the mail that says, "We're all praying for you," that means something. There are certain things that happen to you over there where you realize that prayer is helping. I see a lot of families crumble under the stress of this, and the fact that mine hasn't is due to prayer.

I also pray for my family. For the last five years my wife has been basically a single mom trying to raise three teenagers while going to school and working. We never really thought I'd go into combat, but my wife has still been great.

In the hours just before the initial invasion, we had rolled our convoy over near the Iraq border. It was dark, and to catch some sleep I crawled up on the canvas top of a supply truck.

About 4:30 a.m. I woke to the sound of rumbling. It was pitch black, but I could see an armada of helicopters and missiles flying into Iraq. I didn't think I was going to live through it. At that moment, you think, "I really hope somebody is praying for me."

I was in the middle of nowhere, so far away from home, lying on this truck wondering, "What in hell did you get yourself into?" You say a few Our Fathers right then.

I never wanted being in Iraq to be an excuse for having a deeper faith. I see people that have never gone to church and they find God all of a sudden. Then when they come home, their newfound faith doesn't stick. I never wanted that to be me.

 Answering life's tough questions
Father John Barkemeyer is an army chaplain in Al Anbar Province. He is originally from Chicago, where his former parishioners and other Catholics have formed the Compadres to support him and other chaplains.

Just before the war in Iraq started, I preached that this war would not be just. Now on my second deployment in Iraq, my parishioners are young soldiers.

Although my stance on the war hasn't changed, I believe that we have become morally responsible for what happens in Iraq. As much as I would like all of us to leave today, tens or hundreds of thousands of lives would be lost if we did.

Soldiers can't choose the war that they fight, so I've never struggled with serving in this war. I recognized how desperately these kids need priests in Iraq.

I am here to listen to their stories and help them heal. Their questions have been asked since the beginning of time. They are facing life-and-death issues: Is there a God? How do I know God loves me? Does it make a difference if I live a Catholic life? What happens if I get killed?

A young marine-a strong guy but a teddy bear inside-had the job of aiming and firing mortars. During an assault he hit his target straight on, but when he checked out the house he hit, he discovered that a woman and a baby, not insurgents, were killed. "How could God ever forgive me for doing something like that?" he asked me.

I asked him about his motivation. It's clear that these guys have no intention to kill civilians, and realizing this helps them forgive themselves.

It's harder to understand that God forgives unconditionally. The idea that God really is love is the greatest mystery in life. My understanding of God hasn't changed, but I have learned how important the Christian message is, especially for these kids.

And kids they are. I relax with a cigar; they relax with violent video games. The games, provided by the Compadres, allow soldiers to take their minds of the real war. I don't get it, but then again I'm 43 and they're 19.

Video games also open doors for me, so we can discuss spiritual issues. Here age doesn't matter. Fulton Sheen's Wartime Prayer Book (Sophia Institute), written during World War II, helps all of us. What worked for soldiers then, this video-game generation and I find, is relevant today.