Posted on 11/06/2004 7:19:27 AM PST by InvisibleChurch
Marines turn to God ahead of anticipated Fallujah battle Sat Nov 06 2004 09:37:17 ET
NEAR FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov 6 (AFP) - With US forces massing outside Fallujah, 35 marines swayed to Christian rock music and asked Jesus Christ to protect them in what could be the biggest battle since American troops invaded Iraq last year.
Men with buzzcuts and clad in their camouflage waved their hands in the air, M-16 assault rifles laying beside them, and chanted heavy metal-flavoured lyrics in praise of Christ late Friday in a yellow-brick chapel.
They counted among thousands of troops surrounding the city of Fallujah, seeking solace as they awaited Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's decision on whether or not to invade Fallujah.
"You are the sovereign. You're name is holy. You are the pure spotless lamb," a female voice cried out on the loudspeakers as the marines clapped their hands and closed their eyes, reflecting on what lay ahead for them.
The US military, with many soldiers coming from the conservative American south and midwest, has deep Christian roots.
In times that fighting looms, many soldiers draw on their evangelical or born-again heritage to help them face the battle.
"It's always comforting. Church attendance is always up before the big push," said First Sergeant Miles Thatford.
"Sometimes, all you've got is God."
Between the service's electric guitar religious tunes, marines stepped up on the chapel's small stage and recited a verse of scripture, meant to fortify them for war.
One spoke of their Old Testament hero, a shepherd who would become Israel's king, battling the Philistines some 3,000 years ago.
"Thus David prevailed over the Philistines," the marine said, reading from scripture, and the marines shouted back "Hoorah, King David," using their signature grunt of approval.
The marines drew parallels from the verse with their present situation, where they perceive themselves as warriors fighting barbaric men opposed to all that is good in the world.
"Victory belongs to the Lord," another young marine read.
Their chaplain, named Horne, told the worshippers they were stationed outside Fallujah to bring the Iraqis "freedom from oppression, rape, torture and murder ... We ask you God to bless us in that effort."
The marines then lined up and their chaplain blessed them with holy oil to protect them.
"God's people would be annointed with oil," the chaplain said, as he lightly dabbed oil on the marines' foreheads.
The crowd then followed him outside their small auditorium for a baptism of about a half-dozen marines who had just found Christ.
The young men lined up and at least three of them stripped down to their shorts.
The three laid down in a rubber dinghy filled with water and the chaplain's assistant, Navy corpsman Richard Vaughn, plunged their heads beneath the surface.
Smiling, Vaughn baptised them "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."
Dripping wet, Corporal Keith Arguelles beamed after his baptism.
"I just wanted to make sure I did this before I headed into the fight," he said on the military base not far from the city of Fallujah.
Thanking you for your prayer and in agreement with it!
Democrats----------Idiots
O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.O Lord God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; Vouchsafe to take into thy almighty and most gracious protection our country‘s Navy, and all who serve therein. Preserve them from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that they may be a safeguard unto the United States of America, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our land may in peace and quietness serve thee our God, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy upon this whole land; and so rule the hearts of thy servants THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, The Governor of this State, and all others in authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them, according to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Psalms 33:13 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men;
Psalms 33:14 From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth,
Psalms 33:15 He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.
Psalms 33:16 The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
Psalms 33:17 A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
Psalms 33:18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
Psalms 33:19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
Psalms 33:20 Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
Psalms 33:21 For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.
And again He says:
Psalms 20:7 Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.
Psalms 20:8 They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stood upright.
And finally...
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the Lord.
Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord.
Of all the armed forces of the United States, Marine is the only 'title', and therefore it is always capitalized. Maines are the 'soldiers of the sea'. The other branches members are identified by a descriptive name, i.e.: soldier, sailor, airman.
Source: I served 22 years as an active duty Marine.
mea culpa, mea culpa, mega mea culpa.
That they are and Thank God they are ours!
Too funny. But for some reason I didn't think of them in connection with the military. Wonder why?
AMEN to that! Bless them and keep them under the shelter of Your wing, O Lord. Renew their strength; make them to rise up with wings as eagles; let them run, and not be weary; let them walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
I know that this poem by William Blake is really about the legend (believed by Blake) that Jesus made it all the way to England in his ministry. But the lines of the second stanza, about going into battle, stand on their own as some of the most stirring ever written in the English language. When set to music by Charles Perry, this poem became one of the most moving of Christian hymns. I know that no Marine will let his sword sleep in his hand.
Jerusalem
AND did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.
William Blake
Thanks for the correction. I always think of them in capitals. Since we have retired we don't get to be around active duty military much and I really miss that.
Thank you for your kind words, and please convey our appreciation to your father.
Task Force Drysdale, a combined unit of the US 1st Marine Division which included 41 Commando, Royal Marines formed in November 1950 at Hungnam in South Korea, with the aim of fighting its way to reinforce the garrison at Hagaru on the southern tip of the Chosin Resovoir. The column of Drysdale came under sustained attack almost from the off, but was eventually able to force its way through to Hagaru, with 321 casualties sustained. On entering the town, 41 Cdo was nominated as the garrison reserve, and was called into action on the night of 29th/30th, when part of the Commando was called on to reinforce a unit of the USMC that was part of Drysdale on a hill overlooking the Chinese lines. During this night, the two Chinese divisions facing them sustained over 5000 casualties. Despite this, other United Nations forces along the reservoir were failing to hold the lines. So, the force at Hagaru were ordered to withdraw back to Hungnam. 41 Commando, along with the 5th Marine Battalion, brought up the rear, beginning on 6th December. The force stopped at Koto-Ri on 8th December, where a mass grave for 117 dead troops was prepared. 41 Cdo moved out in the afternoon to guard the high ground over the formation against infiltration during the night. On 9th December, the formation moved out to march the remaining distance to the Hungnam bridgehead, getting clear by the 11th December and embarking with 22,000 US Marines to be shipped down to Pusan. The action had left 41 Cdo with 93 casualties, and so the unit was withdrawn to Japan for reinforcement during the winter of 1950-51."
Per Mare Per Terram
Semper Fi
LOL I didn't even notice.
"Sometimes, all you've got is God."
(from the 27th Psalm)1: The LORD is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear?the LORD is the strength of my life;of whom shall I be afraid?
2: When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes,came upon me to eat up my flesh,they stumbled and fell.
3: Though an host should encamp against me,my heart shall not fear:though war should rise against me,in this will I be confident.
4: One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5: For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;he shall set me up upon a rock.
6: And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
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