My name is Specialist Charles Seelaus and My Army Reserve unit, the 2/228th Aviation Regiment is currently in Iraq. This was made possible when the 3rd Infantry Division, using lighting speed, overran the airfield located here in Central Iraq. As a direct result of their brave actions, my unit was now able to operate deep out of Iraqi Territory. As we set up our operations in the months of June and July, I began to realize that some of the finest and bravest men and women America had to offer were serving right beside me.

These months, June, July, August, seemed surreal because like a lot of us here, we are not just soldiers, rather, we are Citizen/Soldiers. One weekend a month we would drill. We have a completely different life apart from Drilling. Just a few short months earlier, I was in my classroom, teaching 31 second grade students at Gideon Elementary School or Chatting with the Principle or fellow teachers. Having supper with my family, grading homework, having tea with my beautiful wife and snuggling our 4 children into their beds for a bedtime story and bedtime prayers was our life. We were raising our family with all the challenges and Joys that brings.

Then the war began. Our unit was mobilized for war.

As this small band of men and women in my unit began to build up our camp, so too was the building of relationships among each other, trusting others, a new family began to form. While we built up fortifications around our camp, One of the very first jobs our Chaplain (Major John Hunter) did was get a Chapel Tent established. Once completed, we would have our Bible studies and services there. These Bible studies were lively in their discussions and I marveled that we were actually in God's Holy lands- the lands spoken of in the bible. I never dreamed I would ever be in Iraq, homeland of Abraham. Abraham and his descendents traveled all through this area. Here is where the Biblical Garden of Eden was, the city of Ur, the ancient city of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar, and the Tower of Babel. The Old Testament was everywhere I turned. It is one thing to be reading about it, Another to see, feel and touch history. Despite being in a war, God was blessing me every day. I could feel those at home who keep me lifted on High with their prayers, and I told them so. Something I stay humbly thankful for.

Prayers took on a whole new meaning in War. My commander told me that no one prays more than the soldier who is targeted for death. They are thrust into a situation where their lives may at any moment be extinguished. And he was correct. We do say a lot of prayers. Something happens on the inside when soldiers see and hear of their comrades being sent home in body bags. Life is so precious and so fragile.

But I soon realized that there was more to prayer then just me praying. I knew at times when My mind was racing, thinking of what I must do at a critical moment, It was often, the prayers of loved ones and my brothers and sisters of Calvary at home that were lifting me up with their prayers.

Our Camp continued to develop. We would not see those attacking us each day and night but we were reminded by the explosions all around us.

About a mile from our camp was the mighty Tigris river. So named because that is what she would become once the rains fell, a ferocious tiger. Her banks would over flow and flood the lands around us. Our camp was rich in the silt and mud carried by these floods. This was a very fertile land. The Tigris was also one of the two rivers that flowed through the biblical Garden of Eden. Her sister was many miles away. She was the Euphrates.

As our camp began to take form, so did my heart. As we continued to work hard, I began to pray hard. I thought about everything that I took for granted and I could still hear my wife saying to me, "War changes people". She was correct, but more importantly, Our God is behind change. As the days and nights ran into each other, I longed for my family, for the land I love, for home. Then one evening as the beautiful sun was setting, I thought about being baptized here. We were in Holy lands. This was a place I will probably not get a chance to see again. Was It possible? For me it was questionable, for God there was nothing that was not possible. I prayed asking for this blessing but my mind thought “how”? Inside and outside our fences soldiers were dying. Outside our fences the enemy was firing mortars, hiding improvised explosive devices and firing rocket propelled grenades and weapons at us. By day our soldiers would rebuild schools, but by night the explosions could be heard.

The Tigris was less than a mile away; the river was so close yet so far. While I held these fears I could do very little. But I cast them away. I could never possible over come them but I could freely give them away. I could give them to Him. And so I did. Again I prayed to be baptized in the Birthplace of Abraham - to be baptized in the Tigris.

Then one night, while in Bible study and between some mortar explosions, the Chaplain said he needed some one to drive him to the helicopter pad on Saturday. He was taking a trip to Babylon. My Hand could not have reached any higher. I know God was talking. I'd better listen. After the Bible study, I spoke with the chaplain about joining him. I revealed to him what I had secretly been praying for the past few months. He said if there was room on the flight I was more than welcomed and then I asked if I could be baptized. That stayed in question and would until I arrived - if I arrived.

As the Saturday Morning arrived I awoke early. I had very few details about the trip but I was ready. Dressed in Full Battle Rattle I greeted my Chaplain. We drove to the helicopters in silence. We arrived at the Black-Hawk unit and I dropped him off. He said "Wait here Seelaus and I will check to see if there is room on this flight for you." I prayed. He returned a few minutes later and the answer was yes, there was room. We would be flying to Babylon and flying with many of the base chaplains.

While we waited to board the helicopters that morning, I met our Brigade Commander for the first Time. He would be flying us to Babylon. The Colonel had such a air of confidence about him that I instinctively felt safe with him. It's, the quality every great leader has - instilling confidence.

All our helicopters came in for a safe landing. We safely touched ground and the pilots began their power down. While we waited I saw smoke coming from our helicopter. I looked at the faces of the crews in the other helicopters as they watched us and I again watched the smoke. I wondered. Smoke and aircrafts are usually not a good mix. I stayed hopeful. Soon though the smoke stopped and we stepped out.

As we unloaded, we all gathered for a quick brief on what we would be doing. As that was happening there was a little commotion coming from the front of our helicopter. I soon discovered that our helicopter was hit. The helicopter pilot had blood splattered all over him but he was not hurt. Thank God no one was hurt. In flight we had been hit by a bird.

As the briefing continued, I learned that Chaplain Robert A. Miller was speaking and that he had made this trip before. While I listened closely, my unit chaplain whispered in my ear. "Captain Miller would be baptizing another soldier and we could ask him to include me." I was thrilled.

As the tour guide began to take us around the walls of Babylon. The chaplain and I approached Him. "Chaplain Miller" I asked, "Will you please include me in your baptism today?" It seemed my life was hanging on what he would say. But for a moment he did not speak a word. His eyes and smile told me what no words could ever say, It felt as if God was saying, welcome home my lost son. Then his words came" Of course!" "Of course!” I repeated. "Of course!"

I was baptized in Babylon, in the waters of the Holy Euphrates River. The date was August 23, 2003.

I stood up a different man, it was my prayer to be a humble and faithful servant. I watched the next Baptism. Upon his Baptism we all shook hands and proceeded to the shore. We were greeted by friendly faces, smiles and handshakes - Soldiers who were serving their country, who served God.

I write this as testimony to our great God. Even as I write this, I can hear mortars close by us. But I also hear this voice, "With God as my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Whether at home or thousands of miles away, whether in peace or in war, our Lord God is One, our Lord God is Sovereign, Our God is with us. I turn to him my redeemer.