CPL. RICHARD J. NELSON

I made an early unprinted and personal ‘rule’ that I would not base whole blogs on individuals. But I’m going to break that rule today.

Yesterday, the Department of Defense announced the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. After months and years of brave, yet ‘far away’ soldiers being killed in this conflict, it finally hit closer to home. Very close.

Killed in service were Cpl. Richard J. Nelson, 23 – of Kenosha, Wisconsin ---- and Lance Cpl. Dean D. Opicka, 29, of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Both Marines died April 14th while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. They were both assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This was Cpl. Richard J. Nelson’s 2nd tour of duty.

We are personal friends of “Ricky” and the Nelson family and their sorrow and grief are deeply shared by us. Cpl. Richard Nelson is survived by his wife, Kristen. Their first wedding anniversary is this coming Monday.

How do you possibly explain it all? There is no way. Naturally, we cry from our souls: "But God, how could You let something of this magnitude happen?" And this page certainly won’t answer all of your questions – but it is normal to ask the “WHYS?” and “HOWS?” when such awful things occur.

Unlike us, God knows what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year, next decade. And those who know God will not escape difficult times. They won't. But there is a peace and a strength God's presence gives. In the Bible, Paul said: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

I wish I could adequately describe to you the great FAITH of the Nelson family. Reality tells us we will experience problems in life. However, if we go through them while knowing God, as the Nelson family has and does, we can react to these problems with a different perspective and with a strength that is not our own. No situation, however weighty, has the capacity to be insurmountable to God and we are not left alone to deal with them.

Jesus told His followers: "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows." God will care for you as no one else does and in a way no one else can.

This planet is not a safe place. Any number of things might happen to us in this harsh environment called Earth. Yet, God is not at the mercy of people, but the other way around. We are at His mercy … fortunately. This is God who created the universe with its uncountable stars, simply by speaking the words, "Let there be light.” This is God who is unlimited in power and wisdom. Though tragedies seem impossible to rise above, we have an incredibly capable God who reminds us, "I am the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for Me?” And we draw comfort and assurance from that, even in our most severe pain, if our faith is planted in Him.

Our deepest love and condolences – and our very strongest, most sincere prayers for Kristen, Rick’s parents, brothers, sister and extended family.

All gave some; some gave all.