FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ THINKING OUT OF THE BOX ~ 17 May 2020

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

THINKING OUT OF THE BOX

"A new idea is first condemned as ridiculous, and then dismissed as trivial, until finally it becomes what everybody knows." - William James

One of the great war films of all time was made in the '50's, "Away All Boats", starring Jeff Chandler. It chronicles the adventures of a fictional APA (Amphibious Assault Ship, forerunner of today's LHA'a), USS BELINDA, fighting its way across the Pacific. The ship's skipper, Captain Jebediah Hawkes, is a seasoned veteran, a good guy, but not liked by the crew. They don't understand many of his methods and think he's aloof. In fact, his methods are genuinely innovative, and ultimately every one of his strategies saves the ship from disaster.

Then comes the Battle of Okinawa. BELINDA is struck by Kamikaze's. Many sailors are killed and the ship is dead in the water, no propulsion, with large gaping holes below the water-line. Captain Hawkes is mortally wounded and unconscious. The crew must figure out what to do on their own. They start to argue; one says we should do this, the other says, you're crazy, we must do that. Meanwhile, more Kamikaze's are headed their way.

Captain Hawkes hears the arguing through an open porthole in his stateroom, and with his last ounce of strength drags himself off the bed, to the bridge. He cries out to the startled officers with his last breath: "The children lead the mother, the children lead the mother!" He collapses and dies. The crew tries to figure out what he meant, and then they realize..."The children lead the mother!" Captain Hawkes was telling them to lower the landing craft into the water and have them tow the ship to safe waters! They quickly did this and saved the ship!

Captain Hawkes was at first shunned by the crew because they couldn't understand his novel way of doing business. Today we'd call him an "out-of-the-box thinker." We should always be on the lookout for new and better ways of doing things. Much of humanity's progress is a result of people who were not satisfied with the status quo and found novel and better ways to improve life for everyone.

God Bless & Stay Great!

Chaplain Mitch Schranz

 

[mylife]

I find the box confining

[The Mayor]

Thanks Kathy, I only worked a few hours.
I did finally enjoy some sunshine tho.

[mylife]

Back in the box

[mylife]

Images

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hurrah for sunshine!!! Enjoy!!

[mylife]

Right to Decide

[mylife]

Gnight my dear FRiends, I often feel Ib am living in the box, punching at the stupid, but I can’t say what I mean because everyone is conditioned to live in the BOX

[proud American in Canada]

Thank you, Kathy.
By the way I hope that someday soon I’ll
get to Alaska. I hear it’s a beautiful.
Take care, Julie

[proud American in Canada]

Hugs right back atcha!

[E.G.C.]

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

How's everyone doing this morning?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening/morning, Julie, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

I must agree...it is beautiful here. Now, if we can just get everything opened back up and the 14 day quarantine for all incoming folks lifted.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Amazing Grace ~ Cherokee

Elvis ~ In The Garden

Jim Ed Brown ~ Chapel Bells Are Ringing

John Berry ~ Old Rugged Cross

Kitty Wells ~ Dust On the Bible

Red Sovine ~ Deck of Cards

The Statler Brothers ~ Church in the Wildwood

Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Faith of Our Fathers

The Gaithers ~ What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Elvis ~ Precious Lord

Ray Cornelius ~ One Set of Footprints

How Great Thou Art ~ Choctaw

Amazing Grace ~ Cherokee

Elvis ~ In The Garden

Jim Ed Brown ~ Chapel Bells Are Ringing

John Berry ~ Old Rugged Cross

Kitty Wells ~ Dust On the Bible

Red Sovine ~ Deck of Cards

The Statler Brothers ~ Church in the Wildwood

Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Faith of Our Fathers

The Gaithers ~ What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Elvis ~ Precious Lord

Ray Cornelius ~ One Set of Footprints

How Great Thou Art ~ Choctaw

[left that other site]

Fried Clams! Yeah! A roadside diner was serving them through a take-out window on the mainland side of the canal. Cars were backed up trying to get in, and the park alongside the canal was choked with people, some masked, and some not.

Massachusetts is WAKING UP!

I just rode by. Smelling the fried clams was enough. :-)

[cb]

the USS Okanogin was used in the filming of that movie. I spent 2 months on that ship and learned every inch if it working on a project for the XO.
When ever I see that movie, its all very familiar

[ConorMacNessa]

Good Morning, Kathy!

***HUGS***



A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours! Thank you very much for today's Sunday Chapel thread.

This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad!

[ConorMacNessa]

"TAKE UP THY CROSS
AND FOLLOW ME"



"I Vow To Thee My Country"
Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
(Click)

"I VOW TO THEE, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace."

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!



Amazing Grace
(Click)
By John Newton

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

[ConorMacNessa]

IN MEMORIAM



S/Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer, II, USA (MOH)
Died 14 May 2020


Special Operations Task Force, Afghanistan




"God Of Our Fathers"
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
(Click)






"Taps"
(Click)

[ConorMacNessa]

LIONS IN BATTLE!



SSG Ronald J. Shurer, II, USA

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to

STAFF SERGEANT RONALD J. SHURER II UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Staff Sergeant Ronald J. Shurer II distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on April 6, 2008, while serving as a Senior Medical Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3336, Special Operations Task Force-33, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sergeant Shurer was part of an assault element inserted by helicopter into a location in Afghanistan. As the assault element moved up a near vertical mountain toward its objective, it was engaged by fierce enemy machine gun, sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The lead portion of the assault element, which included the ground commander, sustained several casualties and became pinned down on the mountainside. Staff Sergeant Shurer and the rest of the trailing portion of the assault element were likewise engaged by enemy machine gun, sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire. As the attack intensified, Staff Sergeant Shurer braved enemy fire to move to an injured Soldier and treat his wounds. Having stabilized the injured Soldier, Staff Sergeant Shurer then learned of the casualties among the lead element. Staff Sergeant Shurer fought his way up the mountainside, under intense enemy fire, to the lead element’s location. Upon reaching the lead element, he treated and stabilized two more Soldiers. Finishing those lifesaving efforts, Staff Sergeant Shurer noticed two additional severely wounded Soldiers under intense enemy fire. The bullet that had wounded one of these Soldiers had also impacted Staff Sergeant Shurer’s helmet. With complete disregard for his own life, Staff Sergeant Shurer again moved through enemy fire to treat and stabilize one Soldier’s severely wounded arm. Shortly thereafter, Staff Sergeant Shurer continued to brave withering enemy fire to get to the other Soldier’s location in order to treat his lower leg, which had been almost completely severed by a high-caliber sniper round. After treating the Soldier, Staff Sergeant Shurer began to evacuate the wounded; carrying and lowering them down the sheer mountainside. While moving down the mountain, Staff Sergeant Shurer used his own body to shield the wounded from enemy fire and debris caused by danger-close air strikes. Reaching the base of the mountain, Staff Sergeant Shurer set up a casualty collection point and continued to treat the wounded. With the arrival of the medical evacuation helicopter, Staff Sergeant Shurer, again under enemy fire, helped load the wounded into the helicopter. Having ensured the safety of the wounded, Staff Sergeant Shurer then regained control of his commando squad and rejoined the fight. He continued to lead his troops and emplace security elements until it was time to move to the evacuation landing zone for the helicopter. Staff Sergeant Shurer’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army."

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for posting...

God Bless you Medal of Honor recipient, SSG Ronald J. Shurer, II, USA

Thank you for your extraordinary service to our country!