FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ GENERAL CHARLES KRULAK SPEECH ~ 05 August 2018

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

GENERAL CHARLES C KRULAK SPEECH

The word integrity itself is a martial word that comes to us from an ancient Roman army tradition. During the time of the 12 Caesars, the Roman army would conduct morning inspections. As the inspecting centurion would come in front of each legionnaire, the soldier would strike with his right fist the armor breastplate that covered his heart. The armor had to be strongest there in order to protect the heart from the sword thrusts and from arrow strikes. As the soldier struck his armor, he would shout "integritas", (in-teg-ri-tys) which in Latin means material wholeness, completeness, and entirety. The inspecting centurion would listen closely for this affirmation and also for the ring that well kept armor would give off. Satisfied that the armor was sound and that the soldier beneath it was protected, he would then move on to the next man.

At about the same time, the praetorians or imperial bodyguard were ascending into power and influence. Drawn from the best "politically correct" soldiers of the legions, they received the finest equipment and armor. They no longer had to shout "integritas" to signify that their armor was sound. Instead, as they struck their breastplate, they would shout "Hail Caesar", to signify that their heart belonged to the imperial personage...not to their unit...not to an institution...not to a code of ideals. They armored themselves to serve the cause of a single man.

A century passed and the rift between the legion and the imperial bodyguard and its excesses grew larger. To signify the difference between the two organizations, the legionnaire, upon striking his armor, would no longer shout "integritas", but instead would shout "integer" (in-te-ger). Integer means undiminished...complete...perfect. It not only indicated that the armor was sound, it also indicated that the soldier wearing the armor was sound of character...he was complete in his integrity...his heart was in the right place...his standards and morals were high...he was not associated with the immoral conduct that was rapidly becoming the signature of the praetorian guards. The armor of integrity continued to serve the legion well. For over four centuries they held the line against the marauding Goths and vandals. But by 383 AD, the social decline that infected the republic and the praetorian guard had its effects upon the legion.

As a 4th century Roman General wrote, "When, because of negligence and laziness, parade ground drills were abandoned, the customary armor began to feel heavy since the soldiers rarely, if ever, wore it. Therefore, they first asked the emperor to set aside the breastplates and mail and then the helmets, so our soldiers fought the Goths without any protection for the heart and head and were often beaten by archers. Although there were many disasters, which lead to the loss of great cities, no one tried to restore the armor to the infantry. They took their armor off, and when the armor came off...so too came their integrity." It was only a matter of a few years until the legion rotted from within and was unable to hold the frontiers...the barbarians were at the gates.

INTEGRITY...it is a combination of the words "integritas" (in-teg-ri-tas) and "integer" (in-te-ger). It refers to the putting on of armor, of building a completeness...a wholeness. A wholeness in character.

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and your family.

The 23rd Psalm

[Publius]

Schubert: Psalm 23

In German.

[radu]

Yeah, it’s harder when it’s the young ‘uns who don’t come home. But with three of them not there, most likely they found someplace to hang out rather than something happened to them. They’ll probably be home for breakfast.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Thank you for the hymns.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours, my.

Good night, my. Thanks for helping honor our military, and thank you for your service to our country.

[luvie]

What would be extra wonderful is if someone saw them and wanted them or their own! I would rather they be adopted than just running wild. LOL!

[radu]

That would be good.
But if that happens, it would be nice if you knew about it so you wouldn’t fret.

Kittehs. They’re pros at making us fret. LOL

[luvie]

You’re welcome, Kathy! (((hugs)))

Thanks for a beautiful lesson and I hope you have a Blessed Sunday, too!

[luvie]

They sure do! Little brats! LOL!

[luvie]

They sure do! Little brats! LOL!

[radu]

WOOHOO!
You were paying attention!
#50!

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Sunday morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Radu. How’s it going?

[radu]

Howdy there, E.G.C.

Goin’ pretty good here. Just kicked back recuperating from a busy day.

How are things your way? I hope it’s been nice enough for walks at the lake with Gizmo.

[E.G.C.]

The weather's been nice. A little warm but nice. Giz loves to play hide and seek behind the bushes. It's quite a chore keeping up with him. 🤣

[radu]

Glad you’ve had good weather to get out and play. You’ve had your fair share of storms out there this summer.

Giz looks like he’d be a handful. LOL! But he’ll keep you in great shape, trying to keep up with him. :-)

[left that other site]

It was rainy all day...but it’s a blessing.