LT. Carey H. Cash - A Table in the Presence: The Dramatic Account of How a U.S. Marine Battalion Experienced Gods Presence Amidst the Chaos of the War in Iraq

A Table in the Presence

LT. CAREY H. CASH

2004 Carey H. Cash.

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All views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or endorsement of the United States Navy, Marine Corps or any other governmental agency or department, military or otherwise.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The NewKing James Version, 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Scriptures marked NIV are quoted from The Holy Bible, New InternationalVersion, 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

ISBN 978-0-8499-0816-3 (softcover)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Cash, Carey.

A table in the presence / by Carey Cash.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-8499-1823-0 (hardcover)

1. Iraq War, 2003Personal narratives, American. 2. Cash, Carey.

3. Chaplains, MilitaryBiography. I. Title.

DS79.76.C37 2004

956.7044'3dc22

2004000635

Printed in the United States of America

09 10 11 12 13 WC 19 18 17 16 15

Dedicated to the courageous men
of the First Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment,
who were not afraid to live and die for a just cause;
and to the countless families and friends
back home who unceasingly prayed on our behalf.

Contents

A. W. TOZER WROTE, The only book that should ever be written is one that flows up from the heart, forced out by the inward pressure... The man who is thus charged with a message will not be turned back by any blas consideration. His book will be to him not only imperative, it will be inevitable.

From the moment I stepped foot back on American soil and back into the lives of my family and friends, I have been driven by what I can only describe as an inward pressure to write about the extraordinary events that our battalion experienced amidst the chaos of the war in Iraq. And yet, as forcible as the pressure was, there were friends and family members along the way who helped to either plant the seed or give much-needed direction, counsel, or shape to what has now become the finished product. It is to these special people that I owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude.

I wish to thank my father-in-law, Captain Larry Ellis, CHC, USN (Ret.); Lieutenant Commander Roger VanDerWerken, CHC, USN; and Susan Forbes for all pointing the way, which at times, I couldnt see. The three of them, unbeknownst to one another, helped me see that the writing of this book wasnt merely an option, but a sacred trust.

Greg Daniel and David Moberg of Thomas Nelson heard my vision for this story, only to cast an even greater vision for its relevance in our world today. I deeply appreciate their investment in me and willingness to step out in faith. In addition, I also wish to express my deep gratitude to Ernie and Pauline Owen for their immediate enthusiasm, wise counsel, and added help along the way.

I am profoundly thankful for Lela Gilbert, a godsend, whose passion for writing and editing mirrors her love for the Lord and His truth. As an editor, Lela knew how to encourage and inspire even when the manuscript was, at times, far from where it needed to be. I also wish to thank Elizabeth Runyen for proofing the final draft.

Special thanks are also in order for Mary Hammond and Craig Crawford. Marys hospitality allowed a frazzled chaplain the time and space to get cracking on his book during twelve days of working leave. Craig offered unsolicited support and read earlier versions of the manuscript.

There are hardly words to describe how thankful I am for my mom and dad, Captain and Mrs. Roy Cash Jr., USN (Ret.). From the moment that the idea of this book became a possibility, they never stopped praying for me and encouraging me. My greatest hope is that I would always walk worthy of their faithful example. Thanks, too, to my moms best friend, Peggy Davis, for lifting me up in prayer for the last seventeen years of my life.

Also, I am deeply grateful to Cindy Farnum and the rest of St. John Chrysostom Church and School for being our faithful penpals from the beginning to the end.

I am especially thankful to all the chaplains and religious program specialists of the First Marine Division. For the past three years, as our world was turned upside down by the events of September 11, they lived as shining examples of courage and spiritual integrity for the men and women they served, as well as for me. Particularly, I wish to express my gratitude to Chaplains Frank Holley, Erik Lee, and Mark Tanis of the Fighting Fifth Marines; and Jim Edwards of the First Combat Engineers. It was a true pleasure and a special brotherhood to have conducted ministry alongside all of these men.

I also must express how grateful I am for Second Class Petty Officer Redor Rufo. His loyalty, patience, and character, whether in the safety of San Mateo or the chaos of Saddam City, never flagged. I would never have been able to minister to my men in the way they needed me to, had Redor Rufo not helped me the way he did. I am forever grateful for his assistance as a religious program specialist, and his bravery as my personal security guard in the midst of a dangerous war zone.

And finally, for my beloved wife, Charity, and our five precious gifts from God: Caleb, Justice, Phoebe, Nathanael, and Ella Joy. They have been the real heroes in this endeavor. On a starry night in early August 2003, Charity and I walked out on our driveway unsure if we should go forth with the writing of this book. We both understood something of the sacrifice and life adjustment that such an effort would require. After a night of prayer and seeking the counsel of others, we both decided it was what God wanted us to do.

The greatest sacrifice has been the one that she has made. Not only during the war, but for the last twelve years of marriage, she has kept the home-fires lit and warmhome-fires that have glowed on five sweet but tireless little faces. Through it all, she has been the nurturer to the kids, staple of sanity for the home, and chaplain to the chaplain.