The View from a Chaplain serving in Iraq (Fallujah)

Email | April 14, 2004 | Active Duyt Military

[Happy2BMe]

Jeff, if you are still in touch with these brave heroes, please convey to them our infinite admiration and appreciation.

They are fighting for us - they are fighting a Holy War.

"Target selection..rules have changed...avoid civilians, if possible. Hostile forces are now using civilians as shields. We are not interested in losing more marines. If you can avoid putting civilians in your line of fire, avoid it. If not, fire to take out the hostile forces. Implication? Chilling...we've entered a new dimension. We are fighting an enemy who respects no laws of humanity, knows no rules of landwarfare and gives no quarter. How do we fight, without become barbarians ourselves? "

What a contrast the Gospel brings in the midst of death and evil . .

"We will remember our Savior who willingly laid down His life that we might live..and we'll be thinking about young marines and soldiers who are willingly putting their lives on the line so Iraqis can be free...no great love hath a man than to lay down his life for his brother... "

May God's power, strength, wisdom, grace, righteousness and might rest upon these warrior.

[amom]

Thanks for the ping and sharing, Jeff. Excellent.

Stay the course.

[McGavin999]

You forget how much our chaplins put themselves into the line of fire. These are good men and deserve our prayers as well.

[stand watie]

GM, linda!

free dixie,sw

[man of Yosemite]

Thanks Jeff, an encouraging read to say the least. I'm real proud of our men over there. This is no Viet Nam.

[GOP_1900AD]

Thanks!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I wish the best for the civilians. I hope they have the patience to realize that it wasn't our Marines who decided to make their back yards and kitchens into a war zone

What we aren't hearing in the news: (good news, and the usual MO of the evildoers in Iraq):

"Yesterday in Al Kharma, near Fallujah, a significant number of anti-Iraqi forces assaulted defensive Marine positions close to a residential neighborhood. Marines repelled the assault, with lethal, accurate fire. When the fighting ended, residents came outside and told the Marines that the fighters had moved into their homes recently, virtually holding them hostage. The residents were able to then move about freely in their own neighborhood and beyond." ~ CJTF-7, April 15, 2004 

 

[reflecting]

Thanks for the post. These are my heroes. Please tell them that we are praying for them, that our churches are praying for them. God please protect and defend our soldiers, give them victory in this just cause. Lord help these chaplains as they minister among the soldiers. Protect them Lord, protect them.

[M0sby]

Thanks for the e-mail post Jeff.
It is important that we read these stories of day-to-day life for our Marines, Soldiers, Chaplains and all of the other forces fighting in the name of this great country and for freedom AOUND THE WORLD.
To listen to the news, one would think that there is nothing but doom and gloom morale amongst our troops.
We know this is not true...but most do not.
How much harder it must be for these men and women to have their tours extended and then to feel as though(according to the major news media) it does not matter, we are losing anyway.
They also know the truth, but they are so far away from loved ones and it is hard for them to imagine the amount of support that really DOES exist.

I will be fwding your e-mail to friends and loved ones.

If the spam in my in-box is any indication, e-mail probably reaches more people than the evening news anyway.

Thanks again for posting..
I would appreciate being added to your PING list if you have the time.

Sincerely,
M0sby
Wife of MSgt Dan Edwards USMC
Semper Fi to me and this country

[TexasRepublic]

Bump for bagpipes!

[JoeSchem]

As the original email indicates...we must stay the course.

This e-mail has nothing in it that says the people want us there. Indeed, it's the opposite, it sounds like we're roundly hated by all concerned. So why are we fighting to 'liberate' people who hate us?

[SevenDaysInMay]

IMO, we all need to read islam's koran and haddith to understand our mortal enemies whoi started this global war.

Our Best need our prayers as they destroy those who would kill anyone.

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition. Amen.

[Badray]

I just got that yesterday too, but didn't know the source and so I questioned it's validity. I agree with the assessments made and the attitude. I'm glad to have your 'blessing' on it.

[Badray]

ping

[gieriscm]

I have friends and family members in Iraq now. I'm glad there are people like this Chaplain there to support them.

Semper Fi to everyone over there. The people at home support you, even if most of the press doesn't.

[Shazolene]

"Good Friday in Ar Ramadi..while you're having lunch I'll lead the evening Good Friday service. We will remember our Savior who willingly laid down His life that we might live..and we'll be thinking about young marines and soldiers who are willingly putting their lives on the line so Iraqis can be free...no great love hath a man than to lay down his life for his brother... "

Jeff, this was exactly what I was thinking, all day on Good Friday. With every thought a prayer of thanksgiving and a tear of sadness for the losses. How grateful I am for their sacrifice! And how I hope to EARN IT! somehow, in this most important year.

Love, thanks and greetings to the Chaplain and his charges. May they grow and prosper and succeed.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

wretchard is one of us, you know.

[AnnaZ]

That was wonderful, thanks for the ping.

[Jeff Head]

You mistake a very small area of the country for the whole. Most Iraqis are in fact glad that we are there and many of them are fighting and dying with us.

Check out this link:

Iraqis Welcome Iraqi Freedom Soldiers and Personnel