Interview with Jane Cook

Jane Hampton Cook, co-author of Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan, agreed to let us interview her. I hope even her words about the book are able to bless you. At the end she encourages us to have a red, white and blue Thanksgiving.


What motivated you and your co-authors to write Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan?

A few years ago, AMG Publishers created one of the most unique, powerful devotional series ever produced called Battlefields and Blessings. The first two volumes focused on the Civil War by Terry Tulley and the Revolutionary War, which I wrote. We decided the time was ripe to focus on Iraq and Afghanistan. Many people who have served in those conflicts come home with a story to tell but don’t want to write an entire book. This series gives them a chance to tell their story in a short form.

This book is in a unique format. Tell me about its organization.

Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan is a devotional and features 365 stories, which include a scripture and prayer for each day. These first-hand accounts give the book an eclectic feel, a distinct mixture of perspectives, a kaleidoscope on faith and courage in combat. Although the book starts in January, you could pick it up and begin reading it at any point in the year.

What will people gain from reading this book?

I think people will really gain a better understanding of just what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will see the human side in a way that our modern sound-bite media just can’t portray. I also think this book will especially help family members who have a loved one deployed. They can better understand what their son or daughter or husband or wife might be going through without having to bombard them with questions.

How did you find your sources, the people who are featured in the book?

We simply networked and told friends and colleagues that we were looking for stories. I live in the Washington DC area, which includes thousands of military personnel from all branches. I often met people at church or other places who knew someone. One of my sources came from an old friend that I reconnected with on Facebook. Sometimes I interviewed the source; sometimes they sent me a hundred emails that they had sent during their deployment. My coauthors followed similar leads.

What are some of the most interesting stories or what surprised you the most?

I was surprised at some of the unusual ethical challenges some of these service members faced, such as the military endocrinologist who was called to treat Saddam Hussein, who had a thyroid problem. This physician found himself literally with his hands around Saddam’s neck—something few have lived to tell about!—and treated him just like he would any other patient.

After Saddam’s due process trial by the Iraqis and execution, an army sergeant and his team got the call to pick up Saddam’s remains. Saddam’s family wanted him buried in his hometown of Tikrit, not Baghadad. The sergeant was a part of a unit that regularly recovered the remains of military personnel killed in combat, so it made sense for the U.S. government to tap their experience with such a delicate situation. When they arrived they were immersed into intense security by the U.S. Secret Service. They flew Saddam’s body to his hometown for burial. This sergeant was tempted to take a photograph of the deceased Saddam but instead he took a picture of himself. Whenever he looks at that photo of himself, he is reminded of the day he saw the death of one of the most evil men of the last half-century.

A female Marine captain shared with me her honest assessment of fear. The times she thought she would be scared, such as going into Fallujah after the invasion of the city, she wasn’t. Other times when she expected to feel safe, she found herself fearful. Because she was a woman, she often spent the night alone in a 50-man tent without electricity. Those were the most uneasy times. But, she found strength in living in the moment with God’s presence to comfort her.

When you heard about the tragedy at Fort Hood, did it remind you of any stories from your book in any way?

Like the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, Fort Hood suddenly became the battlefield. A home base on American soil is where military members feel the most secure. I interviewed the deputy chief of chaplains for the Air Force. He was at the Pentagon on Sept. 11. Had he not stopped for a latte at a cafeteria on his way to a meeting, he would have been in the side of the building that was hit by the plane. On most days, there are only 5 or 6 chaplains in the entire Pentagon complex. On Sept. 11, there were 35 on site. They had come for a variety of different meetings. These chaplains gathered at ground zero and stepped into their role of comforting people and doing what they could to offer hope and practical assistance. Rank disappeared as generals lined up with privates to risk going back into the building to search for survivors. At Fort Hood, you saw the same kind of response, people immediately stepping in to help. Rank no longer mattered in the face of danger and tragedy.

President Obama has been considering sending Gen. McChrystal’s request to send more troops to Afghanistan. What insight do you have about military leadership?

I learned from a gentleman who served as a command chaplain to General Petraeus about the concept of moral leadership. The soldier or marine or airmen (or women) demonstrate raw physical courage to fulfill their mission while protecting themselves and the buddy next to them. Generals are tasked with another form of courage: moral leadership.

Command chaplains play a role in moral courage. They do more than offer spiritual support for generals and their officers. They become the eyes and ears of the commanding general by going out into the field and assessing how the troops are doing. They observe meetings with the purpose of making sure good ideas didn’t go unnoticed. Because a service member can talk freely with a chaplain without fear of repercussion, command chaplains are often in the position of ascertaining the truth of what’s going on—better than others in many cases. The command chaplain plays a listening role on the battlefield, which is something I didn’t know before.

Thanksgiving is one of our nation’s most significant holidays and often we hear stories about how the troops are spending Thanksgiving away from home. What insight do you have about Thanksgiving?

Not only did our founding fathers give us the colors red, white, and blue, they also gave us defined those colors to help us remember to be thankful for our freedom. We can use those colors as a great method for giving thanks. By simply looking at a flag, we can give thanks for three things:

Red means courage, which is a perfect reminder for giving thanks for our country and the members of the military who have made so many sacrifices for us.

White means innocence and purity, which remind us to be thankful for our children and families. Blue means watchfulness and perseverance, which is a fantastic way to remember to thankful for the blessings of the past year—the purpose of Thanksgiving.

Giving thanks often helps people get through a tough time. Several members of the military shared with me that counting their blessings was a great coping strategy for surviving the challenges of the battlefield.

This book is dedicated to those who have lived loudly for liberty, what does that mean and where did that idea come from?

Our nation’s founders carried the American dream in their hearts. All they wanted was to live a quiet life, but instead they lived loudly for liberty. They gave up their quiet life to stand firm for a cause greater than themselves. The members of the military carry on that legacy—the legacy of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Henry Knox and hundreds of others. As a result, the military deserves our gratitude. They have made sacrifices that we can not begin to understand. They’ve done it because they love their country and believe in the principles of freedom. They are living loudly for liberty for us and for the freedom of those Americans to come. That is something to be thankful for.

Jane Cook is an author, historian and fellow pearl girl. Whether speaking publicly, writing or analyzing current events, Jane focuses on tops that transcend generations, such as courage, freedom, patriotism, leadership, communication and womanhood. You can find out more about her and her books at http://www.janecook.com

posted by Margaret McSweeney @ 4:15 AM