Hello all! I'm actually on this site since I'm in Korea teaching English, but I've since made a friend in the army, and would like to hear what you all have to say about something....

As Easter is right around the corner, I'd recently asked my friend if he'd like to come to church with me on Easter. He readily agreed, only to realize later that he had field training scheduled OVER EASTER. Of course, he then said it would be impossible. I was shocked to hear that -- that out of all the available weeks, whoever was in charge scheduled field at that time, over Easter. Perhaps the person who scheduled was unaware (as I was!) that Easter is coming so early this year? Or does he/she not care? I find it hard to believe that the army would not care about this holiday, as I see from the website they have many activities planned. Of course, a soldier has to be prepared to sacrifice a lot, and when fighting a war, I sure don't expect them to take breaks for holidays! BUT -- this is only regular training, something SCHEDULED, something FLEXIBLE. Surely there are soldiers who would like to be able to attend their church on Easter Sunday, soldiers who would be going to a church that day, if not for this poorly-scheduled field training?? If no one else, there is my friend. And while he may not be taking such offense at this, I am. Why? Because if it is true that he cannot request a change in his scheduled field time (or have it be re-scheduled as a whole for a more appropriate time) for the reason of wanting to go to church on Easter Sunday, then that is, to me, a slap in the face to God. And to me, his friend eager to have him come to church.

So, my questions then would be these: Have I correctly understood the situation -- that these field dates are written in stone, and no one with authority in the matter cares about those who would be otherwise planning to go to church on Easter? That it's pointless, even risky, to request a change in one's scheduled field time for a reason like that? That the army no longer has any regard for the God the nation was founded on? Or might it be that the conflicting scheduling was merely an oversight, and that if brought to attention, the problem could be corrected?

Before you think I'm making a bigger issue than I should out of this, let me emphasize again that the reason this seems so unacceptable to me is because this is regular training, which, as far as I know, could easily be carried out a few days later with no problems. It's not like the soldiers are going out to meet an army. WHY do it?!!

I'd like to hear thoughts on this. If nothing else, perhaps this will show how regular civilians like me are affected by decisions made in the army. Even "little" things like scheduling field over Easter. Yes. It really hurts. Other weekends he is free, but Resurrection Sunday? No. Field training. Thank you, Army.

No, you do not uunderstand the full situation.

Land in Korea for filed training is few and far between AND is booked several months out, so no it cannot be changed becasue of Easter.

I can almost guarantee there will be Easter church services out in the filed.

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

All very true.

Perhaps the real answer is failure to plan ahead and consider that Christianity is an integral part of the foundation of our federal government, even though some non-Christian folks don't like to hear it. Real war is not flexible, but you are right, training should be.
I'm sure that, in Israel, military training doesn't take place during the high holy days...

It's is true that Jews don't work at all on the sabbath (Sun down Friday till sun down Saturday). The only exception is military service. SO i do believe that there is training on holidays. But let me ask you. How much training is done on Christmas?

Easter is a nice Christian Holiday...oh wait, it's not. The egg, the bunny...all left over from the pagan holiday that the Christians stole.

The word Easter comes from an ancient pagan goddess of the spring, Eostre.

Thanks for the replies so far. It sounds like this could have been booked so long ago that no one was thinking about Easter (or Resurrection Sunday, to make the distinction, DrWorm) at the time. If, however, someone were to address the issue now, I wonder how the person in charge would respond??? Considering the scheduling error is the Army's, I would think they owe it to those affected to correct it, even if that means cutting Easter Day out of the schedule and having it be a bit shorter training period than originally planned.

And regarding a service on field -- with all due respect (I'm glad the effort is at least made to have a service!), I must say I think there is little chance that would come close to being any kind of substitute for the worship time one would anticipate having in his or her own church. The soldiers are already serving in a foreign land; at the very least they should be able to attend a church of their choosing on Easter Sunday! Is this too much to ask? I don't think so. Even if a scheduling error was made. Sometimes we have to fix our mistakes, no? Even the Army.

Obviously Elizabeth has a point, as a Christian, who believes, as all Christians do, that Easter is THE most sacred day on the calendar. Reason being that Christianity is based on the fact that Jesus died for our sins, and rose from the dead on that day, proving that He was indeed the Son of God, and redeeming believers in Him, allowing us to join Him forever in eternity. Did you know Christmas is celebrated as His birthday, but is a lesser holiday? It has been turned into Santa Claus day and is commercialized beyond belief. Easter also is commercialized by eggs and rabbits, as our astute Jewish member said.

But it remains that this forum consists of mainly military folk, who volunteered to be here, yes, each and every one, and their spouses, who promised to love, honor and (some) obey, and followed them here voluntarily, I hope. So we are sorry that circumstances are such that Elizabeth may have to be content to not have her boyfriend at the table this Easter. We are sorry; but doubt that the senior menbers of the U.S. Government responsible for scheduling training will entertain fixing the problem at this late date. There will be some who would rather be with friends at an Easter Service, some who will miss the Passover Feast, and others who will be disappointed that no one considered their particular desires at some time. We are really sorry that everyone can't be pleased all the time. Abraham Lincoln recognized that, too. The price of freedom is eternal vigilence. And we are at war, and living in an area where the war has not ended, but in a state of Armistice.

Well, this thread is getting into the issue of what Easter is actually about in the Christian church, and why I feel so strongly about the way it was overlooked in the field scheduling. That's good. And I think I'd better clarify a little here....

First, as Mr. Joe states, the celebration on Easter is over what Jesus accomplished on the cross -- He paid the price for our sins by dying in our place, and then He rose from the dead, having finished the work of redemption. Because of what He did, we can be forgiven and have a relationship with God and the hope of eternal life with Him . . . which would have been impossible apart from Jesus' death and resurrection. That said, what in the world could be more important to us to remember and celebrate than this historical event, when God came to earth and rescued us from our sin?! Nothing! This is the truth we base our faith on and our life around! Therefore, when I take offense at the Army ignoring this day, it is not because this is just some holiday I want to be able to observe with a friend -- no! -- it is because there is nothing in life more important, life-changing, and relevant to every individual than the salvation Jesus made possible, which we celebrate in a special way on Easter -- but oh, I forgot ... field training is more important. Oh. The army. God comes second.

Second, in my personal situation, which made me start this thread to begin with, it really was not an issue of my friend spending the day with me, but rather being in church on that day. (Side note -- Many people in the U.S. who never go to church throughout the year DO go on Easter. I wonder why??) Yes, I was eager for my friend, who hasn't been to church in I-don't-know-how-long, to be there at church on Easter and hear the Gospel message again. That's what it's about. Not having some Easter dinner together or spending time together on a holiday. No, it wasn't about that; it was about him spending some time in church reflecting on the most important act in history . . . reflecting on what God has done for him on the cross. Sorry Army, but his response to that is infinitely more important than any field training he'll ever receive.

Third, I'm well aware that those in the army are there voluntarily. I only hope that that voluntary act of serving the U.S. doesn't necessitate putting God in second place in one's life. Otherwise, we dare not ask His blessing on our country!

Fourth, I do not mean in any way to belittle the importance of our military, or of the field training time! I only mean to draw attention to the fact that priorities should be priorities. I would expect the Creator to have priority over the creation. Just kinda logical, common sense....

And, yes, I know things must be handled differently when a war is actually being fought. Perhaps there must be battles on Easter. But as long as we are peacefully spending the time here training and being ever-ready, let's not forget what comes first. It isn't us.

And would someone mind telling me whether "army" is supposed to be capitalized? :) I see I'm not being consistent . . . and Miss English Teacher here really doesn't know . . . lol. Thanks. =)

Yes, Army is supposed to be capitalized. You aren't from OKC are you?

Now we know the full story- I hope the soldier who precipitated all this gets to Church on Easter, and every Sunday thereafter, and truly appreciates Elizabeth's caring! Happy Easter to all-the once a year Christians and to all those of other beliefs! And Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

(As an aside- further discussion about religion in general, and not relevent to this General Military Forum should be moved to our Politics & Religion Forum.)

PS- Army should be capitalized At the beginning of a sentence, and when it is being used as describing a particular army, such as U.S. Army, Korean Army, or when used in an instance where it is obviously referring to a particular aforementioned Army. ("There was an army of ants following the milk truck", doesn't count). (I was Air Force.) See!
(This falls under General Military Discussion.) SSnapier- why do you think Elizabeth is an Okie?