[SAMWolf]

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Amanda Moormann, a chaplain's assistant from the 438th Air Expeditionary Group, sets up for a service at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The base chapel program provides various services to the base community throughout the week, including worship, religious education for various faiths, and counseling. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer

Father (U.S. Air Force Lt. Col.) Robert Keller, a chaplain from the 438th Air Expeditionary Group, conducts a service at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The base chapel program provides various services to the base community throughout the week. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer

Members of the choir sing during a chapel service at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer

[SAMWolf]

Erie Williams was a Marine mom during WWII.
Her Marine did not come home.
He was one of the many killed at Tarawa in 1943.
She loved to write poetry.
This poem was written in his honor.




Returning Soldier
By Erie Williams

Dear son, once more the roses are in bloom;
The rambler trellis is a massive sight.
To-day I've hung fresh curtains in your room;
Your bed is ready-made for you to-night.
Your voice, your footsteps how I long to hear,
And at the table see you in your place.
Here's many things for you- this hour
Our hearts are lifted to His throne of grace.

I thank the Lord for such a son as you-
A son that I am proud to call my own;
You've tread the path of duty fearlessly;
With God to guide who can one's fate bemoan?
War is so horrid, time of fear is long
In waiting your return across the sea;
And how the nights are dark,
when vigil
Keeps reminding sacrifices are liberty.

To make a better world, it takes the best;
The stars of broken homes confirm it's true
That some must fall- they never more return.
No peace without some righteous ones like you-
The spirit seems to say, you cannot come,
That you're with Him,
You're waiting now for me.
Oh Heavenly Father help me still to pray,
To see that sacrifices mean Victory.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Sam, for the pictures of our troops at worship. Please God, let their loved ones see them where they work.

[radu]

These photos of some of those with the 438th Expeditionary Group are wonderful Sam. These services they provide are surely a great comfort to the troops. Thank you for posting them.