Posted on 09/01/2010 3:33:18 PM PDT by lightman
Just received. The official message from the Chief of Chaplains, U.S. Army through the Chief of Chaplains, U.S. Navy:
Subject: FW: CH (UNCLASSIFIED)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE
It is with my deepest sympathy and utmost respect that I announce to our Chaplain Corps that Chaplain (CPT) Dale A. Goetz was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 30, 2010 while serving as the Battalion Chaplain for 1-66th Armor Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. Dale was one of five Soldiers killed by an Improvised Explosive Device while traveling in a convoy near Kandahar Province. Chaplain Goetz is survived by his wife, Christy, and by their three sons- Landon, Caleb and Joel.
Chaplain Goetz is the first military chaplain killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan. Dale was a selfless servant of God, a devoted husband and father, a strong American patriot, and a compassionate spiritual leader whose love for Soldiers was only surpassed by his firm commitment to living his calling as a United States Army Chaplain.
Please join with me in prayer for Christy, Landon, Caleb and Joel as we mourn with them in the loss of Dale, our fellow Soldier and Unit Ministry Team member. Let us also strive to honor Dale's sacrifice with a continuing bold commitment to ensure the finest religious support and pastoral care possible for our beloved Soldiers and their Families.
May God bless the Goetz Family and the Families of all our Fallen Soldiers; and, may God bless our Army and the United States of America.
PRO DEO ET PATRIA...FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!
DOUGLAS L. CARVER Chaplain (Major General) US Army Chief of Chaplains
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE
Two in VN: Watters (a Protestant), and Litke (a Roman Catholic)
Actually three: LT Vincent Capodanno, U. S. Navy, Chaplain to 3d Battalion, 5th Marines. Catholic, I think that Watters was a Catholic as well, not that it matters.
Amen to your prayers, MsB. And thank you for your kindness.
Amen
And I thank you, dear xzins, for your service.
“God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle-line,
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine -
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!
The tumult and the shouting dies;
The Captains and the Kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!
Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!
Amen.”
by Rudyard Kipling
Hymn tune “Vater Unser” - aka old 112th
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And shed your comforting shadow over the families whose loved ones were slain. May the truth of your word be their assurance that you have the dear departed in your arms.
RIP for Canteen ping.
Oh... Prayers for his family and friends and for the family and friends of those killed with him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.