First of all let me thank you from the outset for your prayers. The "official" word that was sent back to family members from the LTF 307 is that yesterday there were several US casualties in Afghanistan. None of the casualties were soldiers from the LTF. That none of "my guys" were involved, for that I am thankful. However, some of my fellow Americans were, and for that I am disheartened. Please pray for the soldiers affected and their families back home. We know God is near to the broken hearted and to those who are hurting. The words of John 10:10 are on my heart this morning. Until the aforementioned events, yesterday was a wonderful day. I received 4 (I think it was 4) packages including the binoculars. They are very nice! Here's how they will be used: I gave one set to my Commander. He was very thankful and perhaps is putting them to use even as I type this message. The other 3 sets have been incorporated into the tactical asset package of our Logistic Ready Force. This is a group of my soldiers who, in an emergency situation, will be sent to a forward location (potentially) to give support. Kim, I'm sure I have the gentleman's name who provided the binoculars somewhere, but could you please send his name and address to me again? My Commander wanted to send a personal letter to him to thank him and commend him on his generosity and faithful support. I gave him your address, so if you receive a letter from the CDR, please pass it on to this gentleman. Thank you! "Kim (and friends from the Hobbit Hole),
WARNING!!! WARNING!!! The following words are an extreme understatement! As for the contents of the other packages, let me just say that the soldiers of my Unit liked them. As a matter of fact, a large portion of the stuff was obliterated. I unpacked the boxes and decided to set some of the stuff out instead of taking it to the Power House (Yes, it was a selfish choice, but it's good to be king!) Wow! Word traveled in our "Office" building at the speed of light. In less than 2 hours, the smaller SlimJims were gone! When I left for the night, there were only 3 or 4 Twinkies left. They were gone when I came in this morning. To say that the Giant Slim-Jims were a hit is again a huge understatement. Of the 4 boxes, less than 1 and a half is still standing. I snapped some pictures of the items that were sent (though already ravaged through) as they were set out in my AO. As usual, the question was asked of me, "Chaplain, who sends you this stuff?" So I again had the privilege to tell of the great Americans who support them from the Hobbit Hole. Then I explain to them about the Internet group known as the Hobbit Hole. What a blessing I have to be the "distributor" of these items. I wish for each of you that you could see first hand how much the soldiers appreciate and devour the care packages.
I think it's pretty funny that I'm referred to as "The Renegade Chaplain." The 307th is known as "The Renegades," thus my call-sign is "Renegade Chaplain." It's a title that perhaps is paradoxical, but a title of which I'm extremely proud. Soldiers always are so appreciative and thankful to me, and I always try and say, "It's not me, I'm just the middle-man." This stuff was sent from a group of great Americans who care about us.
I also received a couple of letters in the mail yesterday as well. I got a group of prayer notes from Indian Springs Baptist Church from BA. I was so blessed by those notes. I looked through them diligently to see if I knew any of the folks. I also received a beautiful letter from [Wneighbor] from the great state of Texas. Wow! The timing could not have been better. I do not think it was coincidental, but God-cidental, as for the day that I received that letter. I read through that letter a couple of times. In fact, I told my Assistant to read it before she left. I can't adequately describe how much of a blessing that letter was. For someone who doesn't even know me or my soldiers to share their hearts on paper like that. I read a good portion of that letter to all of the leadership of our Task Force this morning at our daily briefing. I brief every morning a "Thought for the Day." I put the words of Psalm 3 that [Wneighbor's daughter] wrote as the "Thought." I then read portions of the letter to the leadership. After the briefing, a soldier immediately asked me, "How old is that girl?" I said "Sixteen" (Which I didn't know for sure.) He then said, "Man, she really has a good understanding of things." I can't really respond accept to say, "Thank You." You'll never know how much we appreciate you taking the time to compose such a beautiful letter. You'll never know how much we appreciate your prayers. I/we are sustained every day by their power.
Though I have a great deal on my schedule for today, I wanted to invest the time in writing this message. I couldn't not write it. (Double negative used for inflection) As always, thank you very much for your faithful support of our soldiers here. Most of all, thank you for your prayers. As a fellow Chaplain told me yesterday, "If so many people weren't praying for us, I believe there would be a great deal more casualties here." I agree.
Humbled and Honored to serve "For God and Country,"
Chaplain, Logistics Task Force 307
82d Airborne Division
Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan
"Renegade Chaplain"