Days 190-194 – Honoring Sacrifice – Journal of Sacred Work

"Despite extreme cruelties during interrogation periods and severe maltreatment on a continual basis, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman distinguished himself by his indomitable spirit and dogged tenacity." From Harlan Chapman's Silver Star Citation

In spite of the usual speeches and fireworks this past July 4th can we truly appreciate our veteran's sacrifices? The range of suffering by millions is so huge it is hard to refine to a scale we can understand.

Even the battlefield agony of one dying soldier or wounded nurse can exceed our comprehension.

On November 5, 1965, Harlan Chapman was captured by the North Vietnamese. He was not freed until February 12, 1973.

I was fortunate to attend my cousin's homecoming. Harley was (and is) a hero. So was our great grandfather, Harlan (photo below), who was wounded at Armstrong Hill and his brother, Degrass, who suffered and died at Antietam.

But, Harley's suffering went on for more than seven years.

After the celebration Harley wanted no more war talk. He even asked my father and others not to introduce him as a POW.

Why would he want to relive more than 2,600 days of physical and emotional torture? Why would anyone want to be questioned about the number of times he had been hung by his arms (as was his fellow prisoner Senator John McCain) or tossed into lice-filled cages and fed rotten food day and night?

Loved ones also suffer. For the first three years the North Vietnamese refused to reveal that Harley was a prisoner.

My cousin received other medals. Would he trade them to recover those years when his son was growing up and the free world was moving on without him?

What matters is that Lt. Colonel Chapman chose to sacrifice for us. He knows that the badge of courage he wears in his heart is the one that matters.

The Journal of Sacred Work honors caregivers. We also honor the sacred pain that our veterans endured so that we could live love in a free country.

-Erie Chapman

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Categories: Reflections, Holidays, Spirituality

Tags: caregivers, Degrass Chapman, Erie Chapman, Harlan Chapman, POW, suffering, wartime sacrifice

8 responses to “Days 190-194 – Honoring Sacrifice”

~liz Wessel

July 7, 2014 at 9:15 am

I imagine that when our soldiers return home, the war comes with them and is relived time and again. It is a sobering thought and healing must need to continue for a lifetime. Thank you, Erie for honoring Harlan,and the other heroes in your family. I am grateful to him and to all who have served our country. I will remember their sacrifices and be forever grateful.

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sbeng

July 7, 2014 at 9:28 am

Erie: what experiences of bravery, courage and endurance your cousin and his fellow comrades endured for the sake of freedom. We thank them all. We remember in prayer the troops (and their families) who are in arms way today and all the caregivers’s patience and endurance fighting for the lives of the sick and suffering. May God bless them all.

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Maria Doglio

July 7, 2014 at 11:01 am

I am awed by any solder’s courage for defending, through the mechanism of war, what they believe in. I feel a great sense of compassion for solders who have endured this choice.
I am coming to understand that the pain we all experience comes from being out of alignment with source – whether it be in every day life or through the traumas of that extreme experience of battle. Maybe it’s our job, for those who chose this type of sacrifice in life, is to guide them back into alignment with who they really are—divine extensions of Source, or God, or All there Is (what ever name you call source)-there is no judgement-only experience and the expansion of self through that experience. We can help them by raising their vibrations away from negativity into a place of joy. When a person maintains that state, healing takes place. That is my individual experience.

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Cheri Cancelliere

July 7, 2014 at 12:48 pm

Thank you for sharing Harlan’s story. Freedom is never really free is it? Many have paid a steep price and we must never forget their courage, sacrifice and commitment to the freedom we so often take for granted. These are our true heroes and we owe them a debt that we can never repay.

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Diana Gallaher

July 7, 2014 at 2:12 pm

Until I read John Adams by David McCullough I never even thought of the intense sacrifice of men and women, both on and off the battlefield, in order for us to have a government of the people, for the people, by the people. I have viewed our country differently ever since, with much gratitude and a desire to do my part to make for a more perfect union. In my mind it is not about a cheer for USA USA USA. It is about continuing to strive for a Beloved Community – to include the world.

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~liz Wessel

July 10, 2014 at 3:56 pm

Wow, these photos of Harlan & your great grandfather Harlan are a powerful commentary, Erie. To gaze into the eyes of a young man who served in the civil war; remarkable and leaves me to wonder more about his life story. Thanks for sharing.

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Jonathan Ang

July 10, 2014 at 5:23 pm

Although I am not a permanent resident of this country, a big part of me is very thankful for those who fight for this nation’s freedom. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to study and work here. I have never taken this for granted. I hope someday I will be able to contribute back to this country as much as these soldiers. Thank you.

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Vicki Butner

September 15, 2015 at 10:16 pm

I am an Air Force “brat” from the 60’s and 70’s My dad was career military and served in Vietnam Since I was a young girl, I have had a silver P.O.W. bracelet for Maj. Harlan Chapman with a date of 11-5-65 on it. I’m married with grown children now, but that bracelet has been wrapped around a glass candle holder sitting on my piano for years. We light it every holiday and sometimes just because. For some inexplicable reason as I was dusting today, I realized it was high time I researched this brave man to learn more. So happy to learn that it seems he has led a full and satisfying life! No words can express our gratitude for your service and our prayers for your internal peace. My family has thought of him many times over the years, and I dont know why, but I just felt compelled to do this today to let him or his family know.

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