Good News: Soldier Appreciation
This past Saturday was rather busy, in a good way. I had back-to-back Soldier Appreciation Dinners. I have been serving as a chaplain with two military units and they usually have this annual even on the same day. Thankfully the meals were at different times.
This is not just a Christmas (or Winter Holiday) celebration, although it includes that. It is a time to offer appreciation to the soldiers in the unit. The idea is that the officers and NCOs serve the soldiers and we focus on showing our appreciation for them.
This is not just an empty tradition as we really do appreciate the soldiers. The rank structure is important but it does not mean that officers are more important than soldiers. The soldiers are the backbone of the military and nothing would run without them. The SAD is a practical way to demonstrate how much the soldiers are appreciated.
For me it is also a time for me to remember how thankful I am for being able to serve as a chaplain. This is one of the most personally fulfilling areas of my life. Getting to do this work with the Canadian Armed Forces is an incredible blessing.
