Originally published in the July 3, 2008 issue of The Evangel.
by Richard Huffman, FBC member and Captain, USAF
There is neither a foxhole conversion nor heroism story here, just simple service. It was always my desire to serve in the military, so after graduation from college, and a rejected attempt to join the Navy and fly F-4s, I was accepted into Officer Training School in the Air Force, being commissioned a second lieutenant, July 1, 1965. After aircraft maintenance school, meeting Vicki and marrying her in March, 1966, we set off to face life together at our permanent base in North Carolina, little prepared for the numerous separations that took me to Africa, Portugal, England, Japan, Taiwan, Okinawa, and of course, Vietnam, during the Tet Offensive of 1968. Through it all God graciously preserved us.
The turbulent 60's with its activists and militants, social upheaval and strained political climate in the US at the time, made being in the military difficult, but I could never imagine being anywhere else.
It warms my heart to hear folks today honor soldiers, airmen, and sailors. Serving one's country is both a responsibility and a privilege. When I swore an oath, it was to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution, meaning our way of life, our democracy, our liberty, our freedom. I took that oath seriously and was proud of my service in wartime and peace. In my mid 60s now, I yet see that young officer on scores of flight lines around
the world simply doing his duty. I praise God, Who sustained me on them all!
