There is some political turmoil in my country lately and the military is on alert. And
I saw a military jeep the other day and it reminded me vividly of the day I rode on one, more than a
decade ago. I was a volunteer doctor then and I have to transport several boxes of medicines to a far-flung area and I didn't know what to do. I
couldn't afford to hire a small truck (I was a volunteer and received no pay, just some stipend I send home to my wife and little girl. My wife has a job
as a staff nurse so we get by.) when a military truck passed by and it gave me an idea.
I went to the Army camp and approached the camp Commander and explained my predicament. He just nodded
his head and looked at me for some minutes before he said that they do not usually transport civilians to that far-flung village. But that he will make an
exception in my case. He said that the place is a hot bed of communist insurgents and my services and medications might convince the people that the
government is doing something for them. He then asked me when I needed to leave and how much I am transporting. I said the next morning and that a small jeep
will suffice.
At seven the next day, a military jeep (also known as Kennedy jeep here) with two sargeants knocked at
our rented staff house and helped me load the five or six boxes of medicines. We then left after a cup of coffee. After we passed the town boundary the jeep
speeded up along a winding road and I am sometimes thrown about. I had trouble keeping the boxes and myself from being thrown off the back of the jeep and I
shouted to the driver to please slow down. He shouted back that we are already in a rebel-infested area and in danger of an ambush and that it's crazy of
us to go there without a back-up truck or two. Our situation became clear to me and I whispered "please go faster, I'm too young to die". He
must have good hearing to hear my whisper amidst the din of the roaring 6 cylinder engine because I felt the jeep lurch and go faster.
We arrived at our destination and as we were unloading the boxes, one of the sargeants commented
" Doc, you are shaking", and indeed I was trembling all over. I thanked them profusely and wished them a safe trip back to camp. I also apologized
for asking the Army to transport me not knowing I put them in danger. They just smiled and left in a cloud of dust while I said a prayer for their
safety.
Ten years ago I did stupid things, well I still do occasionally. But I cannot forget those brave
soldiers who knowingly went into danger just for me. I am not brave, I didn't know there was danger. And I am heartened that during the following days in
the village and I asked those coming from the town if there was news of any ambuscade of a Kennedy jeep I received a negative answer. And I am thankful that
God kept them safe.





