Peacemaker by Choice

Dan Crenshaw was commissioned as an officer in the Navy in 2006.  He went through SEAL training, but fractured his tibia.  Not one to give up, Crenshaw was able to complete the Navy SEAL training on his second attempt.  Crenshaw served two tours in Iraq and in 2012 was sent to serve in Afghanistan.  While working with his platoon to secure a compound in Helmand province, an Afghan interpreter stepped on a pressure plate.  The explosion killed Raqman and caused Crenshaw to lose an eye, damage the other eye, and sustain other wounds.  Due to the injury, Crenshaw wears a patch over his right eye.  After receiving medical attention, Crenshaw deployed two more times to Bahrain and South Korea.

Upon his retirement, Crenshaw earned a master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2016.  He and his wife returned to Houston in 2017, in time to help with recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey. 

Crenshaw was looking for a job on Capitol Hill, when he was asked to consider running for office.  He spent countless hours meeting with people, studying, learning, and engaging with voters before making the decision to run as the Republican representative from Texas’ 2nd congressional district.  The week before the election, Pete Davidson, on “Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update,” chose to make comments and fun of politicians who were currently up for election by the way of their appearances.  In so doing, he made light of the eye patch Crenshaw wears due to the loss of his eye. 

People on both sides of the political spectrum were outraged and called for an apology.  When questioned about what was said, Crenshaw once again showed his character by tweeting, “Good rule in life:  I try not to offend; I try harder not to be offended.  That being said, I hope @nbcsnl recognizes that vets don’t deserve to see their wounds used as punchlines for bad jokes.”  Crenshaw also was quick to state “I want us to get away from this culture where we demand apologies every time someone misspeaks.  So I didn’t demand an apology and I didn’t call for anyone to be fired.  That doesn’t mean the 'war'…or whatever line was acceptable, but I didn’t have to fan the flames of outrage, either.”

In a rare move, on the next Saturday Night Live, Pete Davidson offered a sincere apology.  “I made a poor choice last week.  I made a joke about Lieutenant Commander Dan Crenshaw, and on behalf of the show and myself, I apologize.  I mean this from the bottom of my heart.  It was a poor choice of words.  The man is a war hero, and he deserves all the respect in the world.”  Then as the camera panned out, the viewers saw Crenshaw seated next to him accepting the apology.  After some good natured joking and laughs, Crenshaw stated, “There’s a lot of lessons to learn here.  Not just that the left and right can still agree on some things, but also this:  Americans can forgive one another.  We can remember what brings us together as a country and still see the good in each other.”  Being Veterans Day weekend he added, ‘…it’s a good time for every American to connect with a veteran.  Maybe say, ‘Thanks for your service.’  But I would actually encourage you to say something else, ‘Never forget.’”  Davidson then replied, “Never forget.  And that is from both of us!”

In this busy sometimes hectic season, may our hearts and words also be thoughtful gifts of love, encouragement, and peace as we celebrate and share about the Prince of Peace. 

The words of the reckless pierce like swords,

     but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 
Proverbs 12:18 

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 

Blessed are the peacemakers,

     for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18