FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ A GREAT MARINE ~ Oct 1 2006

A GREAT MARINE

Several years ago as the H & S Battalion Chaplain at MCB, Camp Lejeune, I visited the people in the different work spaces, including the rather large main post office.
One day a little conversation took place with young Marine Lance Corporal.
This unplanned encounter has remained with me, and it seems worth passing on...

The Lance Corporal was standing by a very large sack of mail. His job, every day, six days a week for many hours was to sort the mail from that large sack and place the letters into smaller sacks, depending upon their destination. He explained his job, and I asked him if he ever gets bored. "Chaplain," he said," this is all I do. Just sort all these endless piles of letters. Sometimes I can't take it anymore." I was drawn into the young Marine's lament and his life's drama started to sound interesting. He continued, "Then, just as it gets to be overwhelming, I'm holding a letter in my hand and I begin to think: Maybe this letter is going from a Marine wife in Jacksonville all the way to her husband on deployment in the Med. He's really misses her and is homesick on that big ship. Then he gets the letter and suddenly he feels much better. The next letter in my hand, I think: Maybe it's from a little boy to his Daddy in Somalia. He drew a picture with crayons to cheer his Dad and put it in the envelope. Each letter makes me wonder because this one may change a life for the better, or at least bring a smile to a lonely Marine or Sailor."

I was shaken by the majesty this young Lance Corporal displayed and said this to him: "Young man, you possess a wisdom rarely found in people who are triple your years. You have more than wisdom, though, you have character and maturity. Indeed you have found the secret to happiness in life. Whatever you wish to achieve, it will undoubtedly one day be yours...it would be a great honor if you would allow me to shake you hand..."

Whenever we face frustrating moments or disappointments in our work day, let's all remember that young Lance Corporal and follow his heroic and inspiring example!

"Give thy servant, therefore, an understanding heart."

King Solomon's prayer in First Kings

Chaplain Mitch Schranz

Thanks, Troops, for your service to our country.

Acappella ~ Set Me Free

141 posted on 10/01/2006 5:04:16 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

Thanks, Troops, for your service to our country.

John Berry ~ Blessed Assurance

142 posted on 10/01/2006 5:05:11 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Thanks Ma! Early morning.

Out.

143 posted on 10/01/2006 5:05:42 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar ("Being nice will get us killed")

To: El Gran Salseron

144 posted on 10/01/2006 5:11:03 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: tongue-tied; The Mayor; NYTexan

145 posted on 10/01/2006 5:13:24 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: mylife; MikefromOhio; darkangel82

146 posted on 10/01/2006 5:14:12 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

Good day and good night, JJ...((HUGS)) Thanks for your service to our country.

147 posted on 10/01/2006 5:15:17 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

148 posted on 10/01/2006 5:17:09 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: Radix; Lady Jag; The Mayor

149 posted on 10/01/2006 5:19:10 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

150 posted on 10/01/2006 5:20:02 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

151 posted on 10/01/2006 5:21:10 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: The Sailor; MoJo2001

152 posted on 10/01/2006 5:21:54 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: gate2wire; MoJo2001

153 posted on 10/01/2006 5:27:40 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Thanks, Tonkin, for opening today's Chapel.

154 posted on 10/01/2006 5:31:00 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: HopeandGlory

Thanks, Hope, for today's Pledge. Thanks to you, AfghanMan and Penguin Girl, for your parts in helping keep all of us free and safe.

155 posted on 10/01/2006 5:31:44 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: TASMANIANRED; LUV W; mylife; tongue-tied

*SMOOCH*
No mission...
*sigh*
Ms.B

156 posted on 10/01/2006 5:37:56 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

To: stephenjohnbanker

Good Sunday to you, sjb. Are you packed and ready to go? Already gone and posting from someplace exciting?

157 posted on 10/01/2006 5:47:11 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: ConorMacNessa

Thanks, Mac, for Amazing Grace....how sweet the sound. Hope you are having a nice weekend, and aren't working too hard.

158 posted on 10/01/2006 5:48:30 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Good Sunday to you, Kathy. I have been delayed a week, as the contracts needed to be signed aren't ready yet.

159 posted on 10/01/2006 5:55:36 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Our troops will send all of the worlds terrorists to hell in a handbasket with no virgins!)

Howdy there MS.B ! How is the weather back there?

160 posted on 10/01/2006 5:56:32 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Our troops will send all of the worlds terrorists to hell in a handbasket with no virgins!)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794