FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ CONFLICTING LOYALTIES ~ 17 May 2026

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

 

CONFLICTING LOYALTIES

An interviewer once asked the late Senator Sam Ervin, Jr. how he had developed such insight into human behavior. "I had a good teacher, Henry Horace Williams," replied Ervin. "He said the things that try people's souls do not consist of choosing between good and evil. The thing that tries a person's soul is having to choose between conflicting loyalties."

Ervin went on to say that understanding that concept had not only helped him make better decisions, but to judge other people more fairly as well. Sometimes unwise choices were simply the result of misplaced loyalty. "A lot of times I just couldn't support measures advocated by Democratic presidents," he said. "I felt that my controlling interest was for my country, and I voted for what I thought was best for my country."

That sentiment is reflected in a poem written by Josiah Gilbert Holland back in the 1800's. Entitled "God, Give Us Men," it was dusted off and "updated" 1993 by Fr. Brian Cavanaugh of St. Francis College in Loretto, PA (by changing "men" to "leaders"). Then, as the new administration took office, Fr. Cavanaugh sent them copies:

"God give us leaders! A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands;
Leaders whom the lust of office does not kill;
Leaders whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Leaders who possess opinions and a will;
Leaders who have honor; Leaders who will not lie;
Leaders who can stand before a demagogue
And damn the treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall leaders, sun crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty and private thinking.
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps."

Strong words...idealistic...and powerful if heeded . But not just for our elected officials, for ALL of us! Because our leaders tend to reflect, and pursue, the kind of loyalties that voters and opinion polls tell them we think are important. What we value, and exemplify, and tolerate, does much to set the course for our communities. It's one thing to say we want strong families, better schools, safer neighborhoods, and more caring communities. But those things don't just happen because of legislation or new programs. They happen because someone cares enough to become the kind of leader Holland so clearly described.

Each of us will have some opportunity, some small part, today in setting the tone and the agenda which will invariably affect the quality of our life -- both shared and individual. What values will guide us? Where will we place our highest loyalty? The prophet Jeremiah assured his people, "For I know the thoughts I think toward you says the Lord, thoughts of peace... to give you a future and a hope. And you will seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29: 11-13) Jesus advised a similar focus: "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness," he said, "and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) May God guide our priorities, helping each of us to demonstrate the right kind of leadership.

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chapel; military; troopsupport

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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

THANK YOU
for your service!

[lightman]

Keep the Lord’s Day in the Lord’s way.

A blessed Seventh Sunday of Easter aka “Ascension Sunday”† (Western)/Sunday of the Blind Man (Orthodox) to all!

†The Bible says that Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days after He was raised...40 days after Easter is a Thursday, NOT a Sunday!!!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Hope you’ve kicked back today. Not the best day to get out to do anything with the crazy wind. At least there’s been some sunshine to bump the temp into the 50s. About time it warmed up!

[decal]

“...it was dusted off and “updated” 1993 by Fr. Brian Cavanaugh of St. Francis College in Loretto, PA (by changing “men” to “leaders”). Then, as the new administration took office, Fr. Cavanaugh sent them copies”

And whose administration would this have been?

Talk about casting pearls before swine...

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Hope your back got some good rest after your mowing workout yesterday.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Please join us for Sunday Chapel ~ CONFLICTING LOYALTIES, and Liberty

Lt. Charles F. Suver, CHC, USN, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division
"Mass at Iwo Jima"

Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military.
Prayers from all denominations are needed.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier, Reservist, National Guardsman, or Merchant Marine
feel alone or forgotten.

O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is loving kindness,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
And He will redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.

Psalm 130:7 & 8

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

A Blessed Lord's Day and Shavua Tov to you.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Shavua Tov.
Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
a peaceful and prosperous week.

[radu]

Hey there Kathy.

I intended to do nothing today in order to rest my cranky back but you know what they say about well-laid plans. LOL I ended up going to a neighboring town where a live cam is set up to meet the group who set it up. They were there all day to meet folks who watch the cam. I stayed a little over an hour and standing is the worst thing to do when my back’s fired up. It’s screaming tonight. Had a good time though.

Lookin’ a bit wild up there this evening. Been wild most of the day with stiff winds. It’s hard to watch the Lake Hood cam because it’s wiggling so hard.

[luvie]

Providence~Lord Feed Your Children

Glad~Before the Throne Of God Above

Cathedrals~Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Glad~Be Ye Glad

Gaither Homecoming~Heaven's Joy Awaits

Ray Walker~Master The Tempest Is Raging

Vocal Majority~Deep River

Have a blessed Sunday
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

And a “blessed Seventh Sunday of Easter aka “Ascension Sunday”† (Western)/Sunday of the Blind Man (Orthodox)”.

Hope you’ve finally had some rain.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Did the pavement melt today?

Clouds helped keep the temp down here to 84 but the humidity was cranked up. It was a steamy afternoon.

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

Ungh. I thought it might. It got up to 99. Deliver me!! However, right now it's 80 and feels pretty darn good. The kitties seem happy that it has cooled down.

Steamy afternoon is not a fun thing either. I like for my sweat to evaporate. LOL! I saw this picture on Facebook tonight.

......with the caption: "We will be open the following days of Memorial Day Weekend; Friday (May 22nd), Saturday (May 23rd) and Monday (25th) from 9:30am until 3:30pm. Hope you will stop in and see us over the Holiday weekend"
Are you going to try to get over there?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Extra prayers for Israel...

He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.

May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.

May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

G-d bless and keep your children safe, Alouette.

[Kathy in Alaska]

What a fun outing...even with the back screaming. It can rest tomorrow.

At this exact moment it is dead calm at my house! Haven’t had any of the winds that the advisory said would be here.

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Thanks for the hymns.

Were you able to stay cool today?

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

Hope your weekend is going well.