Just about a month and a half ago, I was on a plane from Salt Lake City to Denver. I am one of those girls people dread sitting by because I always want to find out the person's life story. I just think it is so interesting to hear what people are doing with their lives.
Well this plane ride was no different. We were on a tiny little plane, two seats on each side of the aisle. I was sitting in the window seat, and was just watching the people walk onto the plane, waiting to see who my new friend was going to be. Sure enough, in walks this younger-looking, buzz cut guy who plops down right next to me. We exchanged a smile, but that was all. Our conversation didn't start until later when he decided to make fun of me for cussing under my breath at our terrible pilot at take-off. We talked for the entirety of the hour long flight and the half-hour taxing to our gate in Denver.
I learned his name is Zac Evans. A 20-year-old Marine from Ogden, Utah who is stationed in San Diego. I also learned that that next weekend, he was being deployed to Afghanistan, (or "Afghan" as he put it). He had just spent his last weekend with his friends and family in Utah and was heading back to California.
If you know me, you probably know I am pretty easy to get along with and make friends fairly quickly/easily. Well, needlesstosay, Zac and I were bffs by the time we got off the plane (even after I described how hippie, peace-loving I was!). So much so I awkwardly asked if I could hug him because I felt like I had known him wayyy longer than just two hours. We exchanged facebook information and phone numbers and kept in touch that whole week before his deployment.
Since he has been deployed, I have written him several letters, but to no return. He did get a chance to call his mom and leave a voice mail just telling her that he was okay, but he won't be able to call again in a long time.
This morning, I did my daily log-on to facebook and noticed several of my friends' status updates were the same:: "We are asking everyone to say a prayer for "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan and have lost 9 marines in 4 days. Please re-post this. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE ON EVERY ONES WALL."
Zac is stationed in the 3/5 Marines Unit.
Since the beginning of November, "Darkhorse" has lost 13 men. While I am fairly confident Zac is still okay.... this just rocked my world.
What are the chances that the facebook status update that everyone is putting up this week is about my friend's battalion. Out of all of the people and units serving in foreign countries right now, Zac's is the one that shows up on my news feed.
Please keep him in your prayers. Pray for his family-- his mom, dad, and two sisters. And pray for his heart. I can't imagine the things that he has seen or will see in the months ahead. Pray that he will feel comforted and not alone despite his distance from those who he loves. Especially as the holiday season/his birthday rolls around.
If you are interested in writing to him, please do. Even though you don't know him, it would still mean the world for him to get a letter from anyone.
Here is the address:
Lcpl. Zachary Evans
3/5 Marines K Co.
Unit 40390
FPO/AP 96427-0390
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