FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ MAR 14 2004

Chaplain Jay Padgett from Mosul, Iraq

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome to
The FReeper Canteen

Today's Spiritual Journey takes us to the

234th Signal Battalion Iowa National Guard

Chaplain Padgett was assigned to the unit in the
Kentucky National Guard that FReeper Old Sarge is.
When the 234th Signal Battalion
of the Iowa National Guard was sent to Iraq
he was assigned to them because they had no Chaplain.
He was due home this month but has been extended until Aug 2004.

Chaplain Padgett’s Comments for 12 March 2004 Last Saturday, March 6, I went with 40 Alpha and Charlie Company soldiers to a village about 30 minutes south of Mosul. Our military convoy included nine vehicles, my assistant, an interpreter, two print journalists and one broadcast journalist from the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment from the Task Force Olympia Public Affairs Office and 63 boxes of donations and supplies. The Buwayr Village is named for a nearby well that is no longer in use. The sheik was not at home, but his son graciously welcomed us. According to Ahmed Ali Akob, the sheik’s cousin, the land, owned and inhabited by 100 villagers and lots of animals, is used mostly for growing barley and wheat and was purchased from the Ottoman government nearly 300 years ago. As we entered the village, the mud huts that made up the majority of homes instantly intrigued me. I asked how long these structures would typically last and was surprised by the answer: 30 to 40 years. Captain Dan Smith (Alpha company commander), Sergeant First Class Doug Johnson, Specialist Zach Thein and myself were invited to have tea with seven men of the village. They had left their sandals and shoes at the front door; we wore our combat boots and were assured that we were not being disrespectful. There was no furniture in the front room except for a small couch and two chairs that were pushed against a wall. We sat on a large beautiful Persian rug that covered nearly all the floor space. For comfort, vibrant colorful pillows lined the walls in which we could rest and recline. Overhead, just below the ceiling and lining the four walls, hung photographs - all were men. Most were black and white photos of ancestral leaders, including the sheik’s grandfather, all looked to me very stereotypically Arabic - with either mustaches or beards and wearing traditional head coverings. As I gazed around the room looking at the portraits, I couldn’t help but think that I was sitting in a place of honor. Maybe I was reading too much into the experience. Specialist Thein brought clarity to the moment by asking, “Would you have ever thought in a million years that we would sitting in a place like this drinking tea?” The answer was no, I couldn’t have even imagined an experience like this last year. One of the younger men poured hot tea into small clear glass cups and distributed them with the help of the others. We chatted, with the help of our interpreter Mohammed; they shared with us about the history of the area and voiced village concerns related to issues such as water and electricity. Finally, Captain Smith and I agreed that our legs were going to sleep and gratefully the session ended and we went outside. There were two soldiers from the Public Affairs office waiting to speak to the Akob; ironically, he had just left a room full of men to be interviewed and video taped by two female journalists. He told them he was very appreciative of our service and emphasized the village was friends of the U.S. Before we left, I had my picture taken with him. He grabbed my hand and held it; it was a nice personal touch that I appreciated. The visit to the Buwayr Village to meet and interact with its leaders and children worth was the trip to Iraq. And now, a week later after the successful humanitarian mission to the Buwayr Village, I think of the eleven men in the room: seven representing the village, four representing the 234th Signal Battalion; seven representing Iraq, four representing the United States of America. But most importantly, there were eleven men representing cooperation and hope. I am grateful to my God and Nation that I had the opportunity to be one of the eleven. For God and Country, Chaplain Jay Padgett from Mosul, Iraq - Psalm 23:4

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's
Guest Military Chaplain Service

Note : Chaplain Padgett was referred to me by FReeper Old Sarge.
He served with Old Sarge in the Kentucky National Guard before
being assigned to the Iowa National Guard.



Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military. Prayers from all denominations are needed.

                                          


CLICK HERE for Troop Prayer Thread 9

Thank You TEXOKIE

Sunday Liberty starts after the Guest Military Chaplain's Service!

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Please Thank Chaplain Padgett for his message.
And Thank You for your service to our country.

[Soaring Feather]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[Mr. Silverback]

Here's a bump for Air Force Major Chaplain Ed Foust (though if he's still in, he ain't a major anymore) who got me back on the right track.

Also, here's the feeble attempt at a Bible lesson for this week:

HOW TO FORGIVE


One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the
woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not
right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him.

He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he
had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment
and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing
all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the
one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:

"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me
to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to
forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair
Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn
t have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot
do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may
not hear you, but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do
- Teach me To Forgive."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something
fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he
saw something red on his shirt.

He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was
a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two
feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging
on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and
battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering
and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to
sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?
The man answered - "yes, Lord."

"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"
The man answered - " yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.

"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?
And the man answered - "yes, Lord."

"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain? "
The man, crying now, answered - "yes, Lord."

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying became
uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "yes, Lord."

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt
something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the
blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and
there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.

Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."

It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when
you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is. Read the
following first line slowly and let it sink in.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.
Lord I love You and I need You, come into my heart, today. For without You I
can do nothing.

[SevenofNine]

Breaking news off MSNBC site report that Spain capture 4 suspects connect to Spain train bombing

And UK Sunday Telegraph reporting Spain is now confirm YESS it was AL Quada they got videotape claiming responsibity

Also Tass news wire reporting YUP Russians are going to poll in Far part of Russia HELLO 11 times zone and

Report from Sunday UK Times some in Spain are question Spain committ on war on Iraq

Gee wonder why

Also Sunday UK times reporting that possibity if Vlad win reelection he might be do Tsar title thingy here and also crack down oppostion group and relgiious group

Become bad*** KGB agent we know him

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

hank You Air Force Major Chaplain Ed Foust

[herewego]

Prayers up for Troops and best wishes for all.

[cyborg]

Tomorrow I'll say five hail marys for this unholy thank you pic I'm posting tonight!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks Bro!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Tomorrow I'll say five hail marys for this unholy thank you pic I'm posting tonight!"

Well if you say so. LOL

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.

To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The FR Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

Please Thank someone in the military
for ensuring our Freedom.
Take a moment and Thank a Service Man or Woman.
Just Click on the graphic to
SEND a message to someone in the military.

[Fawnn]

[StarCMC]

	CASAMENTO, ANTHONY Rank and organization: Corporal, Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division.  Place and date: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.  Entered service at: Brooklyn, New York.  Date and place of birth: 16 November 1920, Brooklyn, New York.  Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, in action against the enemy Japanese forces on 1 November 1942.  Serving as a leader of a machine gun section, Corporal Casamento directed his unit to advance along a ridge near the Matanikau River where they engaged the enemy. He positioned his section to provide covering fire for two flanking units and to provide direct support for the main force of his company which was behind him. During the course of this engagement, all members of his section were either killed or severely wounded and he himself suffered multiple, grievous wounds. Nonetheless, Corporal Casamento continued to provide critical supporting fire for the attack and in defense of his position. Following the loss of all effective personnel, he set up, loaded, and manned his unit's machine gun. tenaciously holding the enemy forces at bay. Corporal Casamento single-handedly engaged and destroyed one machine gun emplacement to his front and took under fire the other emplacement on the flank. Despite the heat and ferocity of the engagement, he continued to man his weapon and repeatedly repulsed multiple assaults by the enemy forces, thereby protecting the flanks of the adjoining companies and holding his position until the arrival of his main attacking force. Corporal Casamento's courageous fighting spirit, heroic conduct, and unwavering dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. *CASTLE, FREDERICK W.  (Air Mission) Rank and organization: Brigadier General. Assistant Commander, 4th Bomber Wing, U.S. Army Air Corps.  Place and date: Germany, 24 December 1944.  Entered service at: Mountain Lake, N.J.  Born: 14 October 1908, Manila P.I.  G.O. No. 22, 28 February 1947.  Citation: He was air commander and leader of more than 2,000 heavy bombers in a strike against German airfields on 24 December 1944.  En route to the target, the failure of 1 engine forced him to relinquish his place at the head of the formation. In order not to endanger friendly troops on the ground below, he refused to jettison his bombs to gain speed maneuverability. His lagging, unescorted aircraft became the target of numerous enemy fighters which ripped the left wing with cannon shells. set the oxygen system afire, and wounded 2 members of the crew. Repeated attacks started fires in 2 engines, leaving the Flying Fortress in imminent danger of exploding. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety he gallantly remained alone at the controls to afford all other crewmembers an opportunity to escape. Still another attack exploded gasoline tanks in the right wing, and the bomber plunged earthward. carrying Gen. Castle to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save members of the crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. "If there be any glory in war, let it rest on the shoulders of men like these."   -- Audie Murphy   Thank you to every soldier, sailor, airman, marine and coast guardsman who has ensured that I have the freedoms I have today.  You are my heroes. You will not be forgotten.

Graphics and information  from the MOH website.

[Old Sarge]

On behalf of CPT Padgett, to whom I'll be forwarding this, thank you for the kind words, and the inclusion in the Canteen Sunday.

Psalm 23:4 is the unofficial motto of of the 234th:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death, I shall fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

[txradioguy]

Last story from Iraq. Flight got delayed until the 19th so I'm out at BIAP enjoying doing nothing! Enjoy.

John




Rising From The Ashes


3rd Brigade Assisting In Rebuilding Of Iraqi Army



By Spc. John S. Wollaston
3BCT PAO



BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Twice during the last 15 years, the Iraqi armed forces have been literally obliterated courtesy of the United States and her allies. The first time, the Iraqi military was left to its own devices, forced to do what it could to re-constitute itself any way it could. But the second time around, in the aftermath of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Iraqi Army is rising from the ashes of defeat with the help and assistance of an unexpected ally, the United States Army.

At Camp Cook, the former Iraqi military installation in Taji just north of Baghdad, a small contingent of U.S. and Australian soldiers are teaching a new Iraqi army the tactics and skills necessary to defend the country. A six-man team representing the Bulldog Brigade are training, advising and conducting operation with between 100 and 120 Iraqi Army Soldiers. The soldiers of the new Iraqi Army are a mix of old and new. Carefully screened former soldiers are combining with new recruits; senior non-commissioned officers are working with cherry lieutenants, all with one goal in mind, to make Iraq safe for their countrymen.

“There’s a lot of pride in the soldiers.” According to Captain Johnny Casiano, one of the trainers from 3rd Brigade. “They (the new Iraqi Army) have the potential to be a powerful force. Their concept of how to conduct operations has really developed well over the last 45 days”
Using a crawl, walk, run method to train the Iraqis, Casiano and his team have started with the basics, teaching U.S. based fighting doctrine at the squad and platoon level. So far the company being trained by Capt. Casiano have participated in 8 operations in the Taji area in a combined effort with U.S. troops.

“At the beginning it was tense working with the Iraqis.” said Sergeant 1st Class Dan Smith, a member of Casiano’s team from the 1st Armored Division’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 123rd Main Support Battalion. “But now they’re happy we are here and it feels real good working with them.” The Iraqi Army soldiers echo that sentiment.

“At first we had a very different impression of the U.S. Army.” Said Major Azam, an Iraqi Army commander. “Now we realize they are good people who want to help us and came to liberate us. There is mutual respect between the soldiers and they’ve been very good at assisting us with our training.”

And at a time when it is still risky for Iraqi citizens to be seen openly assisting coalition forces, Capt. Casiano points to recent bombing in the Kadamia district of Baghdad as an example of how willing the soldiers of the new Iraqi Army are in securing the country.

“They wanted to go down there.” Casiano says of his soldiers. “They had no orders to do so but they were willing to go down there and help.”

Over the next few months, as security forces like the new Iraqi army assume a larger role in protecting the country, the main concentration will be on the formation of light infantry units. Plans call for 27 battalions in the new Iraqi Army by the fall of this year, with the last four battalions being aviation units.

[Soaring Feather]

Thank You Sarge.