Pentagon Reflections by Skip Olson

After our two days at the Pentagon, I asked Skip Olson to jot down some of his impressions. This is what he wrote:

The following are five reflections on my trip to the Pentagon (five seemed like the appropriate number).

1) A City in a City

On Wednesday morning we were to arrive by 6:15AM. My cousin, Linda Sellevaag, graciously drove me to the Pentagon. As you exit the 395, you catch your first glimpse of this truly unique building. Two thoughts immediately came to mind, (1) “Man, this place is huge!” and (2) “How in the world do you get into this place?”

Fortunately, Linda found the Metro stop near the main entrance and was able to get me close enough so that I had a relatively short walk to the gate. For obvious reasons the Pentagon is surrounded by many layers of barricades. If you are in a vehicle of any kind, you’re not going to get anywhere close to the building. It’s kind of the same concept as a moat except there’s no water. Some forms of defense have stood the test of time!

Once inside, you quickly learn that without a guide you could easily wander the 17+ miles of corridors without ever finding your destination or a way out for that matter. Fortunately, we had two wonderful guides – Whiz Broome, the Pentagon Chaplain, and Bobby Little, the Executive Director of the Christian Embassy.

As we walked together we learned many interesting things about the Pentagon like how to self navigate if you know the room number of your destination (with the room number you can identify the wing, corridor, floor, etc.); some interesting historical facts about the Pentagon and people who work there; that there are 23,000 currently employed in the building; that it is a self contained city filled with stores, medical facilities, restaurants, and places to buy whatever you need. It is an interesting and impressive place. It’s actually in Arlington, Virginia, but is really a city unto itself.

2) “Two Forms of ID”

As you can imagine, the security at the Pentagon is very tight. In addition to the “moat” (see above), there are several check points that you need go through before you gain access to the main building. Two forms of ID are required and one of them needs to be a picture ID. We were told that a passport works the best for the picture ID. The first checkpoint you go through is like a little guard shack outside the main building. You’re greeted by a uniformed guard – “Two forms of ID, please!” He checks your ID and asks the nature of your visit. As you answer he looks you directly in the eyes. If your ID is in order and he determines that you answered appropriately, he sends you to the next guard at the counter. “Two forms of ID, please!” From there you proceed to a scanner where you put your bags, or other items you carried in, on a conveyor belt along with any metal items in your pockets, etc. Then it’s your turn to walk through the scanner. Though I had no metal items except a belt buckle I managed to set off the alarm both days. The guard at the scanner asked me to lift my pant legs (don’t ask, I have no idea!) and then allowed me to proceed.

OK, now I’m out of the shack and on my way to the main building. It is here that we met our escorts (Whiz and Bobby) and they walked us to the next guard – “Two forms of ID, please!” Once checked, this guard gives you a visitor’s pass which you clip to your jacket. From here our escorts took us to the next checkpoint. Here, Whiz swipes his ID, talks to a guard and then we are allowed to go through a turnstile type gate. After 5 guards and the help of two escorts we are “in the building!” However, this is not the end of the security points. At two other points we were asked to turn in our visitors passes and received new ones. We noticed one other security guard – a uniformed gentleman standing at the top of an escalator with a machine gun at the ready – you try not to make eye contact!

These were the security measures we could see. Of course, there would have been many others unknown to us.

Knowing the importance of the work that goes on there, I’m glad the security is so thorough. My guess is that the Pentagon is one of the most difficult places to get into. You simply must have the proper ID and a good reason to be there or you are not going to get in.

While thinking about this, I couldn’t help but draw a spiritual application – using this experience as an illustration of getting into heaven. We need the proper ID – the indwelling mark of the Holy Spirit. We need to have the right reason to be there – We do if heaven is our home. We need to have the right escort – only Jesus himself will do!

3) Halls of Heroes – Never Forget

Throughout the Pentagon there are memorials to our country’s heroes. They are from all walks of life. Most we would consider just ordinary folk who, when faced with extraordinary circumstances, selflessly faced the challenges and met them with extraordinary courage. Men and women who considered the safety of others above their own. Many who willingly laid down their own lives to save the lives of others.

There are memorials to some of this nation’s top military officers and memorials to enlisted service people and civilians. These memorials honor the bravery of Medal of Honor winners and those who were lost in the attacks of 9/11. There are memorials that honor those who have given their lives throughout the history of our country. There is a new memorial called the “Hall of Heroes.” In this room there are portraits of those who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan in the cause of freedom. These portraits depict something about their unique personality or their personal lives. It is powerful and you do not leave the room emotionally untouched. I came away thinking of how important it is to preserve the memory of these brave heroes and to thank God for their service and for the example they set for us to follow.

As a Christian I am mindful of how important it is to remember the heroes of the Faith. Those honored in Hebrews 11 and elsewhere in Scripture. I thank God for how He reveals his own character and power through His servants!

Written on the 9/11 memorial, “We will never forget!”

4) Grace Under Pressure

Watching people scurry about the Pentagon, observing their intensity and catching bits of their conversations, you become aware of the kind of pressure these men and women deal with on a daily basis. Long hours of work are the norm, putting stress on family and other relationships. The standard joke – “How many hours you put in today?”… “Twelve”… “How come only a half day?!” Not far from the truth.

Having come from the business world, I’m familiar with long work hours. In the business world, however, most people who put in long hours are motivated primarily by a deep desire to move up the corporate ladder. In other words, the motivation is to get ahead personally. I’m sure that’s at least a part of the motivation in the military as well. They too want to advance in their careers. But there’s something different! Talking to these men and women you gain a deeper understanding of what really motivates them to work those long hours. They are keenly aware of the consequences if they don’t do their jobs with excellence, if they make a mistake. What happens if, as a logistical planner, I don’t get enough food to the troops in the field? Or ammunition? Or gasoline? Mistakes at this level can and do put lives at risk or can even cost lives. I can’t imagine the enormity of this kind of responsibility.

These men and women are also familiar with our nation’s current enemies. They have seen them up close and personal. They know first hand the total disregard our current enemies have for human life. They understand the evil they are fighting against and the consequences of defeat for our country. And on a more personal level, they understand the consequences defeat would have for their families and friends. This, I believe, is the real driving force behind the long hours they work.

You would expect them to be short tempered having to deal with this kind of intensity in their jobs. They weren’t! Whether we were talking to Privates or 3 Star Generals, they were warm, friendly, down to earth, and welcomed us with open arms. They showed us remarkable grace.

I came away thinking, “I need to pray for these people every day!”

5) “And He Must Win the Battle”

There is so much more that could be said. But if I had to boil it all down to just one overriding thought it would be in response to the following question:

“What is the one key take-away that God laid on your heart as a result of your visit to the Pentagon?”

I would answer it this way…God has clearly impressed upon my heart to pray for these men and women.

To pray for Whiz Broome and Bobby Little.

To pray for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ who work at the Pentagon. They are currently fighting evil on two fronts: (1) On the spiritual front they are fighting against the principalities and powers of darkness, and (2) on the world stage – they are currently fighting against the flesh and blood forces of the Devil (people who have given themselves over to the evil one).

To pray for all the men and women who serve at the Pentagon or in our armed forces. To pray for their safety; for wisdom in their decision making; that they would attain excellence in their job performance; for success in defeating evil wherever they confront it.

Most of all to pray for the salvation of those who don’t know Jesus personally.

To pray for our enemies – they too need Jesus!

Finally, I was reminded to pray that God’s name alone be lifted up. To Him alone belongs all the Glory!