FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: MAJ Mark Thompson ~ 25 October 2021

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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Thank the Veterans who served
in The United States Armed Forces.

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---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Mark Thompson

           

"It was nothing like I expected," admitted MAJ Mark Thompson of his months spent in Baghdad, Iraq last year, his first deployment.

Stationed at Victory Base Camp (VBC), MAJ Thompson spent a portion of his time in theater in a place most would not imagine of someone deployed with the 11th Military Police Brigade: near a playground.

Originally deployed as a MP Task Force/Brigade G2 (Intelligence officer), MAJ Thompson was remissioned soon after arriving in Iraq. He was selected to serve as commander of a high-value detainee facility located at VBC.

U.S. soldiers had previously built a children's playground right outside of the detainee facility, set within the center's secure grounds. Said MAJ Thompson, Iraqi children visiting loved ones detained in the facility would come play atop the seesaws and swings, interacting with the troops in the process.

As commander, the playground - and the opportunity it provided to reach out to the Iraqi youth- unexpectedly became one the biggest tools for boosting morale amongst the soldiers. "Once I see kids playing, I want to play too," laughed MAJ Thompson, father of a 12 year old son. "I'm the biggest kid."

He, as well as many of the other soldiers under his command, often found themselves kicking soccer balls around and enjoying an unanticipated taste of home. Amidst their regular tasks in theater, MAJ Thompson'’s soldiers also collected toys and school supplies for the Iraqi children who had seamlessly become a highlight of their deployment. Their dedicated work with the local kids was one that many back home would not automatically have associated with the operations of the detainee facility.

"We were changing the negative stereotypes some were lead to believe about Americans," noted MAJ Thompson, who received the Bronze Star for his leadership in Iraq.

During his ten months abroad, MAJ Thompson also encountered another group of individuals that made an impression on him as not only commander, but as an officer in the Army.

"There are a lot of civilians paying prices as well there," said MAJ Thompson of the non-military serving abroad. "I truly appreciate all of the sacrifices they make. They truly support us."

Since returning stateside to Fort Dix in New Jersey, MAJ Thompson has once more found himself in a leadership position. He is now Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Support Activity. Yet again he is responsible for ensuring soldiers' safety and morale, just set against a different backdrop.

"The mission is different, but the goal is the same," explained MAJ Thompson.

And the larger goal, as always, remains taking care of his fellow soldiers.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy!
Wow, am I the first? Or first 10?

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Monday,
October 25, 2021

The Testing

Read: Genesis 22:1–3, 6–12

Some time later God tested Abraham. Genesis 22:1

The first time I took my sons to hike a Colorado Fourteener—a mountain with an elevation of a least 14,000 feet—they were nervous. Could they make it? Were they up to the challenge? My youngest stopped on the trail for extended breaks. “Dad, I can’t go any more,” he said repeatedly. But I believed this test would be good for them, and I wanted them to trust me. A mile from the peak, my son who’d insisted he could go no further caught his second wind and beat us to the summit. He was so glad he trusted me, even amid his fears.

I marvel at the trust Isaac had in his father as they climbed their mountain. Far more, I’m undone by the trust Abraham had in God as he raised his knife over his son (Genesis 22:10). Even with his confused and wrenching heart, Abraham obeyed. Mercifully, an angel stopped him. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” God’s messenger declared (v. 12). God never intended for Isaac to die.

As we draw parallels from this unique story to our own with caution, it’s crucial to note the opening line: “God tested Abraham” (v. 1). Through his test, Abraham learned how much he trusted God. He discovered His loving heart and profound provision.

In our confusion, darkness, and testing, we learn truths about ourselves and about God. And we may even find that our testing leads to a deeper trust in Him. — Winn Collier

How do you believe you’ve been tested by God? What was that experience like, and what did you take away from it?

God, I don’t know if what I’m experiencing is Your testing or not, but either way, I want to trust You. I give my future to You.

Bible in a year: Jeremiah 6–8; 1 Timothy 5

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: MAJ Mark Thompson ~

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[PROCON]

Thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero, Kathy!

[left that other site]

Hi everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mooch...you are, indeed, FIRST!

Hope life is treating you well in the city.

We have had several hints at winter, but it seems reluctant to actually get here. Cold, snow, warm up, then rain. Repeat!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

A good resting weekend? Ready for the new week?

Welder doing good welding?

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Did you get a good, long sleep last night? Got everything ready for tomorrow?

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

How’s your weekend been? It looks like the weather up there is a little wild and woolly.

[luvie]

Easy to honor Major Mark Thompson
What a hero!❤️🇺🇸💙

[PROCON]

Hiya radu!

We're in a rainy spell for a few days and of course it's cooler.

Son's over again tonight for dinner and video games.

Lazy weekend here otherwise, no grocery shortages up here, how about in your neck of Tennessee?

Any fun weekend stuff for you?

[radu]

I’ve been keeping an eye on the storms systems rolling in from the west. Been a bit crazy this week.

Wet and cool - - sounds like a good evening to “save the world” with your son. :-)

We’ve had shortages on different items the past 18-19 months. Haven’t seen any stores fully-stocked in all that time. Some items will show up on the shelves for a little while, then disappear again for a while. Others have been absent since this WuFlu crap started.

Had a short museum weekend since we were closed yesterday. There was a big TN Maneuvers event in another town that everyone went to with some of the museum WWII items. I wasn’t able to go, dang it. :-( A few pix were emailed to me last night but a bunch were put on the museum FB page, which I won’t see because I won’t go to FB for any reason.
I’m looking forward to hearing all about it next Friday.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

How’s your weekend been? Still toasty?

[Kathy in Alaska]

My pleasure, Pro...we MUST remember them.

Last mowing yet?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...another weekend for you and Blue?

Does Penny need her warm coat yet?

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

Yep. It got up to 86 today, but thankfully is back down to 66 right now. Tomorrow, 91 and Tuesday 90 before dropping back to the 70s on Wed. That ol’ roller coaster just won’t let us get off! LOL!

Hope things were nice and the air clear there. Have you heard how the event that the museum was in went off?

[radu]

Ugh! That’s just too hot for the end of October. I feel for ya!

It was comfy here at 73 but it was overcast ahead of a cold front moving through tonight and tomorrow. We’ll be in the 60s for the most part this week.

You need to check your email. If you’d checked it last night, you’d have seen a little of the event yesterday. :-)

[luvie]

Gee, I thought I checked it, but maybe I just missed it. Going now.......