NAZARETH FAMILY IN THE EXPRESS

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

~ Psalm 91

Karen Snyder says that she and her family have never depended upon God so much as they have since their elder son, Cory Snyder, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2005 after graduating from Notre Dame High School.

Now four years into a five year contract, Cory Snyder is appreciative of being able to spend Christmas with his family in Nazareth instead of in Camp Lejeune, N.C. or fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

“I want the normal Christmas I haven’t had for a couple years,” he said. “I want to spend time with my family, go to church and have dinner. Just coming home is an opportunity some people don’t get being in the military.”

Snyder served seven months in the infantry this year and found the separation from his family tougher to endure than the 100 degree temperatures.

“People should appreciate every single, little thing,” Snyder said. “There are guys over there who should be home with their families, who go on patrol, not knowing if they’ll make it back.”

Snyder was quick to note that the packages and letters of support from families and church groups are greatly appreciated by soldiers. Small items such as snack foods and fresh socks go a long way to boost spirits.

“We didn’t have much of anything over there,” he said. “Anything you can think of to send — snack foods, cards of encouragement, anything — makes a difference.”

The night before Cory Snyder deployed, the family of a fellow Marine sent him a handkerchief emblazoned with Psalm 91. It was a mantra for the family while Cory was away.

“I told him that God wants you to know this,” Karen Snyder said. “We prayed that every day, and it’s what got us through.”

Express Times