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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
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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
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: chaplain; freepercanteen; military; troopsupport
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To: Brad's Gramma
Thanks for tonight's thread, maam!!
Happy Lord's Day to ya!!
41
posted on
05/03/2008 6:30:52 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)
To: Kathy in Alaska
It rained most of the day here in Ohio. I’m not complaining because it kept me from having to spread mulch!
42
posted on
05/03/2008 6:31:24 PM PDT
by
50mm
(I love the smell of napalm in the morning....It smells like victory!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Evening Ma, I forgot how hard gardening is, I’m sore!/LOL
43
posted on
05/03/2008 6:31:58 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)
To: skimask
Evening skimask, I've always had an affection for you Marines!
Semper Fi from an old Army guy!!
Thank you for your Service to our Country!!
44
posted on
05/03/2008 6:34:18 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)
To: ConorMacNessa
Hiya Conor!!
Didn't you pick-up your daughter today?!
How ya doing?!
45
posted on
05/03/2008 6:35:32 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)
To: PROCON
46
posted on
05/03/2008 6:36:13 PM PDT
by
skimask
(Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience)
To: MeekMom
Awwwww...
To: PROCON
48
posted on
05/03/2008 6:45:50 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)
To: PROCON
49
posted on
05/03/2008 6:45:56 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)
To: PROCON
50
posted on
05/03/2008 6:45:59 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)
To: PROCON
Good evening, Pro...((HUGS))...*snicker*...wait til you try to get out of bed in the morning. How is Zach doing? What did you get accomplished today?
51
posted on
05/03/2008 6:46:47 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: skimask
Good Lord’s Day to you, skimask. Love those pipes. How is your Marine Captain Kevin doing these days?
52
posted on
05/03/2008 6:51:11 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
(((HUGS))) back to ya!
Well, of course my saturday goal was to have everything planted and in the ground. But as usual, it never happens that way!
Zach wanted to go target practicing (BB guns), so we did that late morning, and after which I started roto-tilling...sheesh, I can't believe Oregon ground got 10 times harder in one year,/LOL.
Anyway, weather all weekend and week is suppose to be gorgeous, so I'll have a garden sooner or later!!/LOL
You have a good saturday?!
53
posted on
05/03/2008 6:53:37 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Dems=You can Fool Some of the People all of the Time--Abraham Lincoln)
To: Brad's Gramma
With the ultimate respect to all of my FRiends...I believe that, "A Great Marine" is a redundant call.
Marines are GREAT by definition!!!
54
posted on
05/03/2008 6:57:14 PM PDT
by
bannie
(clintons CHEAT! It's their only weapon.; & Barry/Barack has two faces.)
To: PROCON
Not a bad Saturday...got several care packages mailed, and have fallen asleep at the computer a couple times. I think I need a nap. LOL!
Roto-tilling....are your arms still shaking?
55
posted on
05/03/2008 7:13:16 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: PROCON
Not a bad Saturday...got several care packages mailed, and have fallen asleep at the computer a couple times. I think I need a nap. LOL!
Roto-tilling....are your arms still shaking?
56
posted on
05/03/2008 7:13:21 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Brad's Gramma; MoJo2001; StarCMC; HiJinx; Aeronaut; laurenmarlowe; AZamericonnie; beachn4fun; ...

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.
57
posted on
05/03/2008 7:14:39 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: bannie
I like it! Good Lord’s Day to you, bannie.
58
posted on
05/03/2008 7:19:37 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: All
59
posted on
05/03/2008 7:36:13 PM PDT
by
Cindy
To: SoldierDad; vigilante2; jackv; Jemian; sneakers; arbee4bush; Azbushgal; LUV W; mystery-ak; ...
60
posted on
05/03/2008 7:47:32 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
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