Book examines military oath, role of faith in combat

As a nation pauses to mourn those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, a small book that many service members carried in their pocket during Operation Iraqi Freedom helps explain why so many have been willing to lay their lives on the line. So Help Me God: A Reflection on the Military Oath considers the history of the military oath, examines the power of faith during times of trouble and helps prepare military members and their families for the challenges their commitment will almost certainly present.

     (PRWEB) July 2, 2003 - America can expect Independence Day 2003 to be one of the most poignant remembrances of her military heroes in at least a decade. The unfortunate loss of life associated with Americas War on Terror, a widespread resurgence in patriotism and the timely homecoming of thousands of troops obviously contribute momentous substance to this months observation. As a nation pauses to mourn those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, a small book that many service members carried in their pocket during Operation Iraqi Freedom helps explain why so many have been willing to lay their lives on the line.    
     So Help Me God: A Reflection on the Military Oath was carefully designed to fit in the pocket of the military uniform. Written by armed forces chaplain Brian Bohlman, the book considers the history of the military oath, examines the power of faith during times of trouble and helps prepare military members and their families for the challenges their commitment will almost certainly present.
     Thousands of patriots from all walks of life have stepped forward year after year and courageously vowed to serve and protect their fellow Americans … each for his or her own, deeply personal reasons. They have different backgrounds, different opinions … come in different colors, shapes and sizes … with different religious beliefs, accents, attitudes and dreams. But, Bohlmans book explains, they all share one thing in common. They all began their military careers by raising their right hands and taking a solemn oath, and, whether theyre soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines, that oath ended in the same four words: … so help me God."
Every uniformed service member fighting on the shores of Normandy, amid the rice paddies of Vietnam or in todays global War on Terror ended his or her military oath with a simple prayer, thereby binding them to a higher authority. Bohlmans patriotic handbook examines the relevance of that prayer.
        Jeffrey W. Oster is a retired lieutenant general in the U.S. Marine Corps. He said, The military oath of office has great meaning to me. It anchored my 35 years of active service. Despite the importance of the oath, little has been written about this subject. Chaplain Bohlman fills this gap in his superb work that will challenge and encourage you as you serve in the defense of this Nation."
        U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, a colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard, agrees. Chaplain Bohlmans challenging message about verbal integrity and commitment is both inspirational and informative. So Help Me God is a must-read for all men and women in uniform."
Bohlmans message is timely and poignant. In a post 9/11 world, a year after the Pledge of Allegiance came under fire for including the words under God," his book helps bolster faith, pride and patriotism. As they return from the war in Iraq and steady themselves for future combat the war against terrorism, So Help Me God encourages military men and women to reconsider their spoken promise, their source of strength and their personal commitment.
        The book also contains a study guide and several helpful references (including the core values of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Code of Conduct, the U.S. Flag Folding Ceremony, a concise history and reflection on the Pledge of Allegiance, guidelines for a patriotic service of reflection and a personal prayer journal). Special, limited editions of the book include So Help Me God: A Musical Reflection, a five-song patriotic and inspirational mini-CD that includes Bohlmans increasingly popular So Help Me God" ballad and Psalm 91" song.
     The So Help Me God" Project is a non-profit patriotic organization for the preservation of core vales within the U.S. Armed Forces. Its goal is to offer service members spiritual resources that reinforce character, inspire faith and preserve core values. The projects vision is to encourage service members to seek divine aid as they serve in the armed forces.