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FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ A GREAT MARINE~ May 4, 2008
The Canteen Crew ^ | May 3, 2008 | Serving the Best Troops in the WORLD!!!

Posted on 05/03/2008 4:48:14 PM PDT by Brad’s Gramma


 
 

 

 


 


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

 

 


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: chaplain; freepercanteen; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska



121 posted on 05/04/2008 3:10:49 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)
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To: MEG33

That’s sooooo cute!
*HUG*


122 posted on 05/04/2008 3:24:01 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

:o)
Wishing you a great trip to Arizona..


123 posted on 05/04/2008 3:25:45 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)
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To: MEG33

Thank you so much!
I’m sure it will be a grand time!
‘;0)


124 posted on 05/04/2008 3:30:13 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

(((((HUGS))))))


125 posted on 05/04/2008 3:31:59 PM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

Early Girlfriend.You be sleeping on da plane-heheeee


126 posted on 05/04/2008 3:44:44 PM PDT by fatima (Pray for our FRriend Jim founder of this forum.)
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To: fatima

LOL
For sure, I’ll be sleepin’!
What are you up up today?


127 posted on 05/04/2008 3:51:22 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: blackie

Gregorian Chant Benedictinos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MbDqc3x97k&feature=related

I found it:)

Porpora - Salve Regina - Sonia Prina (1 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQxjKpzjXuM


128 posted on 05/04/2008 4:02:52 PM PDT by fatima (Pray for our FRriend Jim founder of this forum.)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
I had a normal day off.It was strange.The men are back from their trip and both my husband and son got turkeys.They have the funniest stories.My husband will pay for this trip -I will order dinner out the next few days-heheee
129 posted on 05/04/2008 4:07:55 PM PDT by fatima (Pray for our FRriend Jim founder of this forum.)
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To: fatima

What..
You don’t like turkey?
;0)


130 posted on 05/04/2008 4:16:01 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: MEG33

I remember a kitten or 2 helping fix stuff. Too cute, Meg.


131 posted on 05/04/2008 4:41:21 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
:)I gave up eating game a long time ago.One year we were poor with all those kids and everything.We had venison burgers,roasts,steaks,sausage.I can't eat it anymore.My son took them home.
132 posted on 05/04/2008 4:56:02 PM PDT by fatima (Pray for our FRriend Jim founder of this forum.)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

What time do you arrive where? Are you gonna get there the same time you left? LOL!!


133 posted on 05/04/2008 5:13:44 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN; TASMANIANRED; MeekMom; All
Click on the pic and meet MOH recipient Sgt Finnis McCleery



NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

134 posted on 05/04/2008 5:19:46 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

LOL
“I have left to find myself..
If I get back before I leave..
Please ask me to wait.”
I will arrive in Az at 10 am Az time..
But the day will start MUCH earlier back here.


135 posted on 05/04/2008 5:25:57 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

You’re welcome Kathy, happy you enjoy them.


136 posted on 05/04/2008 6:49:23 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (I soar- 'cause I can...)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Good morning {{HUGS}} Kathy !!


137 posted on 05/05/2008 8:02:56 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: fatima

It’s all Latin to me. ;) {{HUGHS}}


138 posted on 05/05/2008 8:04:07 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: blackie
Heeheee,I know the one by heart.We would sing it in the choir loft with our little bennie’s on.I always got one note wrong-I would say in the back of my head-I’m not going to get it wrong,I'm not going to get it wrong.Don't you know I got it wrong-sang it high instead of low so the whole Church could hear it.Sister came running over and hit me with a pencil on my hand and called me the great mistake maker.Boy did she get that right.I was banned:)
139 posted on 05/05/2008 9:02:26 AM PDT by fatima (Pray for our FRriend Jim founder of this forum.)
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To: fatima

Bennie’s - was it a Jewish choir??


140 posted on 05/05/2008 9:23:36 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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