Here is a touching story of an encounter with a returning wounded soldier at the airport. It's obvious how he paid the price and he proudly said that he would do it again. The following has been derived from the article written by Ray Gano.
 
I was at the airport and was observing a young soldier going through the screening process. He was in his battle dress uniform, pressed and starched, standing there as the security officer waved the metal detector over and around him. You could see a humble but proud troop; he was going home.
 
The soldier sustained major burns. He was missing both of his ears, scars on his face, his arms and hands in elastic bandages. He was someone hard to look at, but your eyes kept coming back to him standing there a proud soldier.
 
Once finished, I saw the security officer help him with putting his back pack on. Then the soldier and an older woman who accompanied him walked out of the screening area.
 
While waiting for his flight to leave, I noticed that he was having some lunch, smiling and talking to the older woman accompanying him.
 
I went over and introduced myself and he told me his name was John. I found out that the woman was his proud mother taking her young soldier son back home; that he was wearing his uniform for the last time and he wanted to wear it going home.
 
They both agreed that I could sit and talk with him. I told John, learning that he is wearing his uniform for the last time moved me; that I would like to personally thank him for his service and for the price he paid.
 
Ray, he said, "I have been blown up twice and I was set on fire. With all that I have been through, I would do it all over again, every single minute of it."
 
I did not know what to say. A lump rose up in my throat and tears were welling up in my eyes. Here was one of America’s sons and I was honored to be sitting here with him.
 
I asked him whether it bothers him to be in that situation and he smiled and said no. Then he asked me whether I have kids and I told him that I have four, two on their own and two still at home, ages eleven and twelve. We talked about where I lived and a bit more about my family.
 
He said, "Sounds like you have a good family and that you are a good father. I want you to know something that I was over there just for them, so they would not have to go."
 
The lump grew larger and my eyes welled up, then a tear escaped and dripped down the side of my face. I was in awe. You see the tears were not tears of sadness; they were tears of pride and honor.
 
I looked upon the scars and wounds that he sustained; he smiled and continued talking to me. The feelings that I felt are hard to explain. I was proud, joyous, humbled and honored.
 
We talked a bit more and then I got up and wished him and his mother a safe trip. I thanked him once again for the service and sacrifice that he made. He kind of brushed it off with a smile and a sparkle in his eye and said, "I’d do it all over again, no need to thank me."
 
As I walked away, I asked God to bless John and his family and a continued safe trip. He was going home to a hero’s welcome with friends, family and the town waiting for him at the airport. I was glad.
 
I went into thinking and a still small voice told me that the way I was feeling, is just a glimpse of how I would feel when I would personally meet Jesus, the one who paid the ultimate price. Once again I was in awe over what our Lord gave to us and He would do it all over again, just because He loves us so much. The lump and the tears returned while meditating on what Christ did for us and His joy to do it all again if given the chance, much like John.
 
Let us remember and pray for our troops and their families who are paying the price. They are giving up so much for us.

 

Think of the scars and the wounds that our Lord sustained, and give thanks.  He paid the ultimate price so that through Him the world might be saved.