'Faith in the Service' through Mormon eyes

Media coverage of the war in Iraq can be devoid of positive accounts.In Chad Hawkins’ book “Faith in the Service” (2008 Deseret Book), one finds a refreshing insight into the war as LDS service men and women and their families share wartime experiences of faith, hope and courage. The book covers four different perspectives of the war scene experience: those living the gospel in a battle zone, those outside the line of fire, those serving as LDS chaplains and those experiencing blessings and trials on the home front. “The military has their task and duty to perform and these members act out their military duties with faithfulness and exactness,” Hawkins writes. “Yet they sacrifice even more than is asked, carrying out personal missions to make the country a better place.”Sgt. Jill Stevens carried out one such mission. Taking part in the Afghanistan “Honolulu Marathon,” Stevens was among the first group of women ever allowed to run a race in that country. Approaching the last leg of her 26.2-mile race, running alongside people carrying weapons on a road lined with emergency foxholes, Stevens ran out of energy.“Then it occurred to me what I was really doing,” she says. “I was a woman running in a country where women are defiled and have no rights. The feelings that followed were centered on pride — pride not only to be serving in the military, but also to be a woman in the military fighting for the women of Afghanistan.”Stevens realized that she represented the women of that country and the battle for their future.“From then on, every step I took I was thinking and running for them,” Stevens said. “This race is for them!” At three hours, 45 minutes and 18 seconds, Stevens was the first woman to cross the finish line.Her story is one of many moving accounts of patriotism, sacrifice and going the extra mile. This book illustrates the price of freedom as sacrifices are made and motives explained.“I did not go to Afghanistan thinking that everything would be fine and that my comrades and I would be welcomed with open arms,” U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Terry Chang said. “I decided to go back into the Army for a silly reason by most sane people’s standards … I wanted to go to Afghanistan to help people.”“Faith in the Service” is moving, reader-friendly and gives a view of the conflict through an LDS soldier’s eyes.