USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Guest Military Chaplain Service and Sunday Liberty ~ September 21 2003

Guest Military Chaplain and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome to
The USO Canteen FReeper Style

Today's Spiritual Journey takes us to
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:

Click the banner to visit Tinker Air Force Base

Tinker Air Force Base

  Past

Tinker Air Force Base was named in honor of Major General Clarence L. Tinker of Pawhuska, Okla. General Tinker lost his life while leading a flight of LB-30 "Liberators" on a long-range strike against Japanese forces on Wake Island during the early months of World War II. Tinker’s history began in 1940 when a group of Oklahoma City civic leaders and businessmen learned that the War Department was considering the central United States as a location for a maintenance and supply depot. On April 8, 1941, the order was officially signed awarding the depot to Oklahoma City. During World War II, Tinker’s industrial plant repaired B-24 and B-17 bombers and fitted B-29s for combat.

Throughout the Korean conflict, Tinker continued its output -- keeping planes flying and funneling supplies to the Far East. The base also played an important role in the Berlin and the Cuban crises.  During the Vietnam War, Tinker provided logistics and communications support to Air Force units in Southeast Asia. Tinker and OC-ALC began the decade of the 90s providing front-line support to the forces engaged in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 1999 Tinker was awarded the largest engine repair contract in the history of the Air Force valued at 10.2 billion dollars over 15 years.

  Present

Today with nearly 24,000 civilian and military assigned to the base, logistics work is just part of Tinker's mission. After the arrival of the Navy, Tinker became one of DOD’s premiere inter-servicing facilities. Not only is total support of America's defense systems a priority, but protecting and enhancing the environment is a top concern as well. Through the use of aggressive and innovative technologies, Tinker has become a national leader in pollution prevention.

  Air Logistics Center

Tinker's largest organization is the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, one of three depot repair centers in the Air Force Materiel Command. The ALC is the worldwide manager for a wide range of aircraft, engines, missiles, software and avionics and accessories components.

Click the pic to visit The OC-ALC

The center manages an inventory of 2,261 aircraft which include the B-1, B-2, B-52, C/KC-135, E-3, VC-25, VC-137 and 25 other Contractor Logistics Support aircraft.

The Center also manages an inventory of nearly 23,000 jet engines that range from the Korean Conflict vintage J33s (T33) to state of the art B-2 engines such as the F118.

Missile systems managed by the center include the Air Launched Cruise Missile, Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile, Harpoon and Advanced Cruise Missiles.

Airborne accessories management includes responsibility for some 24,000 different avionics and accessories components.

  72nd Air Base Wing

The 72nd Air Base Wing is the host organization for Tinker Air Force Base.  From the initial planned site of 960 acres in March 1941, Tinker's physical plant has become by many standards a "mega-facility." Today, the base is made up of 5,020 acres with 732 buildings containing 15.5 million square feet of floor space, including 136 acres of indoor maintenance area, 254 acres of ramp space all supported by the Wing. The base is comparable to a city with a population of 30,000 which includes Air Force and Navy active duty personnel, civilian employees and military retirees.

Click to visit the 72nd Air Base Wing

The Wing provides critical base functions including: security, fire protection, medical services, civil engineering, communications, supply, transportation and air field operations. The base offers a variety of recreational and leisure activities including Officers’ and Enlisted Clubs, 18-hole golf course, picnic grounds, library, movie theater, swimming pool, fitness centers and a bowling alley. Organizations assigned to the Wing include: 72nd Medical Group, 72nd Support Group, 72nd Operations Support Squadron, Civil Engineer Directorate, 72nd Logistics Directorate, the Base Chapel, the offices for Plans, Military Equal Opportunity, International Military Students and Arms Control.

  Associate Units

Tinker is home to several major Department of Defense, Air Force and Navy activities with critical national defense missions.

Click to visit the 552nd ACW	552nd Air Control Wing The 552nd Air Control Wing flies the E-3 Sentry aircraft and is part of the Air Force’s Air Combat Command mobile strike force. The E-3’s radar and other sensors provide deep-look surveillance, warning, interception control and airborne battle management.
Click to visit the 72d CS	Strategic Communications Wing ONE The Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing ONE is a one of a kind unit in the Navy. This Wing provides a vital, secure communications link to the submerged fleet of ballistic missile submarines. OC-ALC airframe artisans perform depot work on the Navy’s E-6 Mercury airplanes while sailors perform field level work.
Click to visit the 38th EIG	38th Engineering Installation Group The 38th Engineering Installation Group has worldwide responsibility for engineering and installation of all communications and electronic facilities for the Air Force.
Click to visit the 3rd CCG	3rd Combat Communications Group The 3rd Combat Communications Group provides deployable communications, computer systems, navigational aids and air traffic control services anywhere in the world.
Click to visit the 507th ARW	507th Air Refueling Wing The 507th Air Refueling Wing is an Air Force Reserve flying unit. OC-ALC is the primary source of depot maintenance for the wing’s KC-135R aircraft and engines. The Wing also supports U.S. Military and NATO aircraft with aerial refueling and Airborne Warning and Control System missions world-wide.
Click to visit the DISA	Defense Information Systems Agency The Defense Megacenter Oklahoma City is the local branch of the Defense Information Systems Agency. The Megacenter operates computer systems for the base and serves 110 other bases in 46 states.

\

---

Click the banner to read recent editions of the Tinker Take Off

---

Click to link to the original article

'Freedom' is a Tough Concept
Capt. Jefferson A. Taylor - Air Force Chaplain

Freedom is a tough concept to wrap your mind around. Does freedom mean the total absence of restraint? Obviously not, we claim to be a free society yet we all face restraints — from speed limits to work hours. Without rules and guidelines, freedom becomes anarchy.

Perhaps the best way to define and think of freedom is to consider true freedom as the “absence of tyranny.” With tyranny overthrown in my life, I am able to follow my conscience, pursue my goals and seek my personal happiness.

Politically, we took care of tyranny more than 200 years ago, but what about spiritually? Many have not been able to join the pursuit of happiness because they are wrapped in the tyranny of spiritual darkness.

The good news is this battle has also been fought and won more than 2,000 years ago. While the Declaration of Independence announces the political overthrow of tyranny, the cross announces our spiritual victory over tyranny. Paul writes in Galatians, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore …do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

Thus, we find we have been moved from bondage to freedom. Now what? We practice liberty. Freedom is the absence of tyranny and liberty is the freedom to do what is right. Perhaps the “right thing to do” is to continue the fight for freedom and liberty everywhere. There will always be those who attack freedom.

We are doing well in the fight against those who despise political liberty. We must be equally involved in fighting for spiritual liberty. We are free to do this in many ways — from speaking the truth to living the example of one set free from the slavery of sin.

Peter understood this concept of liberty reminding us to “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond slaves to God. Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

USO Canteen FReeper Style Military Support Links

Please Thank someone in the military for ensuring our Freedom.
Take a moment and Thank a Service Man or Woman.
Just Click on the graphic to SEND an e-mail.

Armed Forces Careers

Army	Navy	Air Force	Marines	Coast Guard

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need by providing homes close to a loved one during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. There are currently 31 houses located on the grounds of every major military medical center and several VA medical centers. These houses will play a critical role in caring for casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Donations will be used to help meet the cost of lodging for a family whose loved one was injured in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. There is a limit to the number of families who can stay in a Fisher House and program is committed to help provide lodging for families who must find commercial lodging, because the Fisher House is full.

You think you're hot?
Our military forces in Iraq sweat it out in 130 degree heat everyday!

Cool Our Troops is a non-profit effort to 'Cool' our troops in Iraq. They are raising funds to send personal misters to 50,000 military personnel serving in Iraq. The misters are portable, no batteries or electricity required, and rely on evaporation to cool surrounding temperatures by 20-30 degrees.

Access the Wounded Heroes Guestbook to write a message of encouragement for a hero wounded in the line of duty.   Messages in the Wounded Heroes Guestbook are viewed by wounded soldiers, their loved ones, and the general public.

	Links to Veteran Associations

Share your thoughts, good wishes and messages with American troops deployed around the globe. In turn, we hope those in service will be able to view them on this site, and perhaps respond themselves. ADD A SERVICEPERSON: Please help make this tribute more complete by creating a page for your own friends and family who are currently deployed around the globe.

Support the Military Relief Societies!
Please support the the Military Relief Societies that help families whose loved
ones were injured or killed in battle. Click any one of the following:

Audio Reports from the
3rd Brigade Combat Team

Click on the patch and you can see and hear the voice of
our own txradioguy reporting from somewhere incountry.

Send a message to a Marine!

MSgt. Edwards a/k/a FReeper M1911A1 is currently serving in Kuwait for Operation Enduring Freedom!

Please click the pic and FReepmail Mrs. MSgt Dan a/k/a FReeper M0sby with your messages of support, goodwill or prayers.

Mrs. MSgt Dan will send your message to MSgt Dan in a great big HAPPY MESSAGE for him to read and pass around!

Click here for info on
USO Canteen FReeper Style Business Cards

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the pics and I'll guide you
to the start of today's thread



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

                                          




Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.
Please guide the people of Free Republic to
The USO Canteen Post Office
So they can e-mail a service man or woman today.
AMEN

Sunday Liberty starts after the Guest Military Chaplain's Service!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Tonk and all.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome Home from your training trip!
You have been missed here Brother.

[Aeronaut]

Welcome Home from your training trip!
You have been missed here Brother.

Thanks. It's really good to be home.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

CLICK HERE for Troop Prayer Thread 7

Thank You TEXOKIE

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.

To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.



FReepers:

If YOU are interested in participating in doing threads, either your own,
or helping on existing ones, please contact LindaSOG by FReep mail.

If you are interested in being a Sports Columnist please FReep mail MoJo2001

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to all of our military personal and allies at home and abroad. Thanks so much for all you're doing to keep this country safe and free from harm.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Good Morning!
As you see we have liberty in your state today!

[The Mayor]

Coffee and donuts for all today!

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on September 21:
1415 Frederick III Innsbruck Austria, German Emperor (1440-1493)
1452 Girolamo Savonarola Florentine monk/preacher/reformer
1756 John Loudon McAdam created macadam road surface (asphalt)
1788 Margaret Smith Taylor 1st lady
1849 Sir Edmund Gosse London, translator/critic (Father & Son)
1866 Charles Jean Henri Nicolle France bacteriologist (Nobel-1928)
1866 H(erbert) G(eorge) Wells Bromley, England (War of the Worlds)
1874 Gustav Holst Cheltenham, England, composer (Planets)
1884 Hugh (Shorty) Ray supervisor of NFL officials, HOF member
1886 Teiichi Igarashi Japan, climbed Mt Fuji at age 99
1902 Limari Salminen Finland, 10K run (Olympic-gold-1936)
1907 Lloyd Gough actor (Mike Axford-Green Hornet)
1909 Kwame Nkrumah President of Ghana (1958-66)
1912 Chuck Jones animator (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck)
1912: Gyorgy Scndor, Budapest Hungary, pianist (L'Apprenti Sorcier)
1914 John Kluge Chemnitz Germany, media CEO (Metromedia)/billionaire
1918 Rand Brooks LA Calif, actor (Cpl Boone-Rin Tin Tin)
1930 Dawn Addams Felixstown Engl, actress (Alan Young Show, Star Maidens)
1931 Larry Hagman Fort Worth Tx, actor (I Dream of Jeannie, JR-Dallas)
1932 Melvin Van Peebles US, playwright/director (Watermelon Man)
1934 Leonard Cohen Montr‚al, singer/songwriter (Death of Ladies Man)
1935 Henry Gibson Germantown Pa, comedian (Nashville, Laugh-In's poet)
1940 Bill Kurtis Pensacola Fla, newscaster (The American Parade)
1942 Ann Elder Cleve Oh, comedienne (Smothers Brothers Show, Laugh-In)
1944 Fannie Flagg Birmingham Ala, actress/comediene (Candid Camera)
1944 Hamilton Jordan political advisor (Crisis, Last Year of Carter Pres)
1947 Stephen King suspense writer (Shining, Kujo)
1948 Artis Gilmore ABA all star (Kentucky Colonels)
1948 Michael Finneran diver (1st perfect 10 on 10m platform)
1950 Bill Murray Evanston Ill, comedian (SNL, What About Bob, Stripes)
1953 John Mengatti NYC, actor (Nick-White Shadow, For Love & Honor)
1955 Richard J Hieb Jamestown ND, astronaut (STS 39, Sk:STS 49)
1959 Corrinne Drewery rocker (Swing Out Sister-Swing Out)
1959 David Coulier Detroit, actor (Joey Gladstone-Full House)
1962 Grant Fuhr Edmonton Alberta, NHL goalie (Oilers)
1968 Ricki Lake actress (Hairspray)
1971 Alfonso Ribeiro NYC, actor/pianist (Alfonso-Silver Spoons)

---

Deaths which occurred on September 21:
1327 Edward II king of England (1307-1327), dies at 43
1558 Charles V, King of Spain (Carlos I)/Holy Roman Emperor, dies at 58
1576 Girolamo Cardano Italian mathematician, dies at 74
1776 Nathan Hale spied on British for American rebels, hanged
1904 Chief Joseph, US Indian chief (Nez Perc), dies
1915 Anthony Comstock anti-vice crusader, dies at 71 in NYC
1956 Anastasio Somoza García Nicaraguan dictator, assassinated by Roliberto Lopez
1957 Haakon VII king of Norway, dies, Olaf succeeds him
1961 Earle Dickson inventor (band-aid), dies at 68
1973 Diana Sands actress, dies at 39
1974 Jacqueline Susann author (Valley of the Dolls), dies at 53 of cancer
1974 Walter Brennan actor, dies at 80
1979 John McQuade actor (Charlie Wild Private Detective), dies at 73
1988 Robert Gwathmey artist, dies at 85

---

Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1966 AMMON GLENDON L. MUNCIE IN.
[REMAINS RETURNED 08/29/78]
1966 BAUDER JAMES R. LA CANADA CA.
1966 MILLS JAMES B. BAKERSFIELD CA.
1967 KIEN NGUYEN THAI VIETNAM
[RELEASED 09/24/84, ALIVE AND WELL 98]
1967 JUDGE MARK W TORRANCE CA.
[NOT ON ANY OFFICIAL LIST. REMAINS RECOVERED]
1967 PLUMADORE KENNETH L. SYRACUSE NY.
1967 VESCELIUS MILTON J. MILFORD MI.
[REMAINS RECOVERED 08/14/85]
1969 CECIL ALAN B. HOLDENVILLE OK.
1969 JACKSON JAMES W. JR. ATLANTA GA.
1971 CARROLL ROGER W. JR. KANSAS CITY MO.
[REMAINS RETURNED 06/94 IDENTIFIED 10/95]
1972 COOK DWIGHT W. CENTER POINT IA.
[REMAINS RETURNED 06/94 IDENTIFIED 06/95]

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.

---

On this day...
454 In Italy, Aetius, the supreme army commander, is murdered in Ravenna by Valentinian III, the emperor of the West.
687 Conon ends his reign as Catholic Pope
1066 Battle at Fulford: Norway king Harald III Hardrada beats British militia
1192 English King Richard I the Lion Hearted, captured
1348 Jews in Zurich Switzerland are accused of poisoning wells
1451 Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa orders Jews of Holland to wear a badge
1520 Suleiman (the Magnificent), son of Selim, becomes Ottoman sultan in Constantinople.
1621 King James of England gives Canada to Sir Alexander Sterling
1648 Battle at Pilawce: Bohdan Chmielricki's beats John Casimir
1745 A Scottish Jacobite army commanded by Lord George Murray routs the Royalist army of General Sir John Cope at Prestonpans.
1776 Great fire in NY
1780 Benedict Arnold gives British Major Andr‚ plans to West Point
1784 1st daily newspaper in America (Penns Packet & General Advertiser)
1792 1st French Republic declared
1823 Moroni 1st appears to Joseph Smith, according to Smith
1863 Union forces retreat to Chattanooga after defeat at Chickamauga
1872 John Henry Conyers of SC becomes 1st black student at Annapolis
1893 Frank Duryea drives 1st US made gas propelled vehicle (car)
1895 1st auto manufacturer opens-Duryea Motor Wagon Company
1897 NY Sun runs famous "Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus," editorial
1906 Yankee 1st baseman Hal Chase's 22 put-outs ties record
1913 1st aerobatic maneuver, sustained inverted flight, performed in France
1915 Stones at Stonehenge, England, sold at auction for œ6,600
1921 Gas generator explodes at Bradishe Aniline chemical works in Germany
1922 Pres Warren G Harding signs a joint resolution of approval to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine
1928 "My Weekly Reader" magazine made its debut
1929 1st legal forward pass in Canadian senior football thrown (Calgary)
1930 Johann Ostermeyer patents the flashbulb
1931 Britain goes off the gold standard
1934 St Louis Card Paul Dean no-hits Bkln Dodgers, 3-0
1934 Typhoon strikes Honshu Island Japan, kills 4,000
1937 The women's airspeed record is set at 292 mph by American pilot Jacqueline Cochran.
1937 J.R.R. Tolkien, publishes "The Hobbit"
1938 Hurricane (winds 183 MPH) in New England kills 700
1943 Lynch Triangle (Square) in the Bronx named
1948 "Texaco Star Theater" with Milton Berle premieres on NBC-TV
1949 Federal Republic of [West] Germany created under 3-power occupation
1949 People's Republic of China proclaimed
1951 Emil Zatopek runs 15,000 m. in record 44 min, 54.6 sec
1953 Allied forces form West Germany
1954 Nuclear submarine "Nautilus" is commissioned
1956 Yanks set dubious record, stranding 20 men on base Mantle hits a 500' plus homer but Red Sox win 13-9 in Fenway
1957 "Perry Mason" with Raymond Burr premiers on CBS-TV
1958 1st airplane flight exceeding 1200 hours, lands, Dallas Tx
1961 Antonio Abertondo swims the English Channel round trip (44 miles)
1964 Constellation (US) beats Sovereign (England) in 20th America's Cup
1964 Malta gains independence from Britain
1964 Reds Chico Ruiz steals home, beats Phillies 1-0. Phillies start a 10 game losing streak that gives the Cards the pennant
1965 O Kommissarova (USSR) sets women's longest paracute jump (46,250')
1965 Ted Erikson of Chicago, Illinois, became the first American swimmer to complete a round-trip crossing of the English Channel.
1966 Jimmy Hendrix changes spelling of his name to Jimi
1966 5" of rain falls on NYC
1969 NY Jet Steve O'Neal punts 98 yards against Denver Broncos
1970 "Monday Night Football" on ABC premiers (Browns beat Jetss 31-21)
1970 Luna 16 leaves the Moon
1970 Oakland A's Vida Blue no-hits Minn Twins, 6-0
1970 "NFL Monday Night Football" made its debut on ABC TV as the Cleveland Browns defeated the visiting New York Jets, 31-21.
1971 AL OKs Washington Senator move to Arlington (Texas Rangers)
1971 John Lennon & Yoko Ono are Dick Cavett's only guest
1972 Marcos declares martial law in the Philippines
1973 Nate Archibald signs 7 yr contract with NBA KC Kings for $450,000
1973 NY Mets go into 1st place (at .500) after trailing 12« games
1974 US Mariner 10 makes 2nd fly-by of Mercury
1976 Wings performs in Zagreb Yugoslavia
1980 LA Ram Johnnie Johnson scores a 99 yard interception
1980 Richard Todd of the Jets completes 42 passes in a game (NFL record)
1981 Belize gains independence from Britain (National Day)
1981 Sandra Day O'Connor becomes 1st female Supreme Court Justice
1981 Steve Carlton strikes out NL record 3,118th (Andre Dawson)
1982 2,251 turn out to see the Expos play the NY Mets at Shea Stadium
1982 Devils beat Rangers 3-2 in exhibition; 1st hockey in Meadowlands (NJ)
1982 NFL players begin a 57 day strike
1982 SF cable cars cease operations for 2 years of repairs
1982 STS-5 vehicle moves to launch pad
1983 The mutilated body of 13-year-old paperboy Danny Joe Eberle is found in his hometown of Bellevue, Nebraska.
1984 NASA launches Galaxy-C
1985 Michael Spinks becomes 1st light heavyweight to defeat the reigning heavyweight champion, he defeats Larry Holmes
1986 Miami Dan Marino passes for 6 touchdowns vs NY Jets (51-45)
1986 New Orleans Saints Mel Gray returns kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown
1986 NY Jets beat Miami Dolphins 51-45 in OT; record 884 passing yards
1988 Mike Tyson threatens a TV reporter in NJ
1989 Poland's Sejm (National Assembly) approves prime minister Mazowiecki
1990 Oakland A's Bob Welch becomes the 1st 25 game winner in 10 years
1990 Pirate Bobby Bond is 2nd to hit 30 HRs & steal 50 bases in a season
1990 Faye Vincent turns down White Sox bid to reinstate Minnie Minoso, 68, (so he can play in 6 decades) because it is a publicity stunt
1991 Armenia votes on whether to remain in the Soviet Union
1991 An 18-hour hostage drama ended in Sandy, Utah, as Richard L. Worthington, who had killed a nurse and seized control of a hospital maternity ward, finally freed his nine captives, including a baby who was born during the siege. (Worthington committed suicide in prison in 1994.)
1991 Armenia became the 12th Soviet republic to declare independence.
1998 President Clinton's videotaped grand jury testimony, during which he admitted to an inappropriate relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, was shown on television.
2000 An Iranian appeals court reduced the prison terms for 10 Jews convicted of "cooperating" with Israel, in a case that had drawn international criticism.

---

Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Watticism Day
Malta : Independence Day (1964)
Philipines : Thanksgiving
US : Press Sunday (Sunday)
UN observance : Intl Day of Peace (Tuesday)
National Rehabilitation Week Begins
National Singles Week Begins
National Rice Month
Latino Heritage Month

---

Religious Observances
Ang, RC, Luth : Feast of St Matthew, apostle, evangelist
Baha'is : World Peace Day
Orth : Nativity of the Birth-Giver of God (ie, Mary) (9/8 OS)
Wiccan : Alban Elfed-sabbat

---

Religious History
1452 Birth of Girolamo Savonarola, Italian reformer. A Dominican from 1474, he was famous for his religious zeal. For 14 years he led in the reformation of Florence, before attacks on Alexander VI led to his excommunication. In 1498, he was convicted of heresy, hanged and burned.
1522 Martin Luther, 36, first published his German translation of the New Testament. (Luther's translation of the entire Bible was completed in 1534 -- perhaps the greatest literary achievement of the great Reformer.)
1814 Francis Scott Key's patriotic verses, entitled "The Star Spangled Banner," were first published in "The Baltimore American." (The poem became the American National Anthem in 1931.)
1848 The Arkansas Baptist State Convention was organized in Tulip, Arkansas, by 72 delegates from several area-wide Baptist churches and organizations. It was the first statewide Baptist organization in the history of Arkansas.
1933 In Germany during Hitler's rise to power, Martin Niemoeller began organizing the Pastors' Emergency League. Over 7,000 churches joined, although some 2,500 later withdrew under Nazi pressure. (The League itself gave birth to the more famous Barmen Synod, formed in May 1934.)

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

---

Thought for the day :
"Make new friends but keep the old, One is silver the other gold."

---

You Know You've Had Too Much Coffee When...
You want to be cremated just so you can spend eternity in a coffee can.

---

Murphys Law of the day...
Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.

---

It's a little know fact that...
A poem written to celebrate a wedding is called an epithalamium.

[minor49er]

Good Morning everyone! Good Morning troops! Here is my humor attempt for today!

After many years of marriage, a husband has turned into a couch potato, became completely inattentive to his wife and sat guzzling beer and watching TV all day. The wife was dismayed because no matter what she did to attract the husband's attention, he'd just shrug her off with some bored comment.

This went on for many months and the wife was going crazy with boredom. Then one day at a pet store, the wife saw this big, ugly, snorting bird with a hairy chest, powerful hairy forearms, beady eyes and dribble running down the side of its mouth.

The shopkeeper, observing her fascination with the bird, told her it was a special imported "Goony bird" and it had a very peculiar trait. To demonstrate, he exclaimed, "Goony bird! The table!"

Immediately, the Goony bird flew off its perch and with single-minded fury attacked the table and smashed it into a hundred little pieces with its powerful forearms and claws! To demonstrate some more, the shopkeeper said, "Goony bird! The shelf!"

Again the Goony bird turned to the shelf and demolished it in seconds.

"Wow!" said the wife, "If this doesn't attract my husband's attention, nothing will!" So she bought the bird and took it home.

When she entered the house, the husband was, as usual, sprawled on the sofa guzzling beer and watching the game. "Honey!" she exclaimed, "I've got a surprise for you! A Goony bird!"

The husband, in his usual bored tone replied, "Goony Bird, my foot!"

[minor49er]

Good Morning Valin!
How ya doing today?

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Sunday !!

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[shezza]

Good Sunday morning to ya. We brought home our soldier last night. He's 35 pounds lighter and tanned a few shades darker, and boy, was it ever good to hug him tightly! We are SOOOOOOOO thankful!

The colonel in a briefing to families yesterday said they came very, very close to being extended for an additional 6 months. Most reservists have had their redeployment home yanked away and will have to stay in Iraq until next spring, and my heart is heavy for them and their families.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing Scott back home safely to us. Please bless those who remain behind in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan as they face continued separation from their families. Give them strength, courage, hope, and determination in their mission. Keep them under the protection of Your wing. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).