FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ MAR 14 2004

Chaplain Jay Padgett from Mosul, Iraq

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome to
The FReeper Canteen

Today's Spiritual Journey takes us to the

234th Signal Battalion Iowa National Guard

Chaplain Padgett was assigned to the unit in the
Kentucky National Guard that FReeper Old Sarge is.
When the 234th Signal Battalion
of the Iowa National Guard was sent to Iraq
he was assigned to them because they had no Chaplain.
He was due home this month but has been extended until Aug 2004.

Chaplain Padgett’s Comments for 12 March 2004 Last Saturday, March 6, I went with 40 Alpha and Charlie Company soldiers to a village about 30 minutes south of Mosul. Our military convoy included nine vehicles, my assistant, an interpreter, two print journalists and one broadcast journalist from the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment from the Task Force Olympia Public Affairs Office and 63 boxes of donations and supplies. The Buwayr Village is named for a nearby well that is no longer in use. The sheik was not at home, but his son graciously welcomed us. According to Ahmed Ali Akob, the sheik’s cousin, the land, owned and inhabited by 100 villagers and lots of animals, is used mostly for growing barley and wheat and was purchased from the Ottoman government nearly 300 years ago. As we entered the village, the mud huts that made up the majority of homes instantly intrigued me. I asked how long these structures would typically last and was surprised by the answer: 30 to 40 years. Captain Dan Smith (Alpha company commander), Sergeant First Class Doug Johnson, Specialist Zach Thein and myself were invited to have tea with seven men of the village. They had left their sandals and shoes at the front door; we wore our combat boots and were assured that we were not being disrespectful. There was no furniture in the front room except for a small couch and two chairs that were pushed against a wall. We sat on a large beautiful Persian rug that covered nearly all the floor space. For comfort, vibrant colorful pillows lined the walls in which we could rest and recline. Overhead, just below the ceiling and lining the four walls, hung photographs - all were men. Most were black and white photos of ancestral leaders, including the sheik’s grandfather, all looked to me very stereotypically Arabic - with either mustaches or beards and wearing traditional head coverings. As I gazed around the room looking at the portraits, I couldn’t help but think that I was sitting in a place of honor. Maybe I was reading too much into the experience. Specialist Thein brought clarity to the moment by asking, “Would you have ever thought in a million years that we would sitting in a place like this drinking tea?” The answer was no, I couldn’t have even imagined an experience like this last year. One of the younger men poured hot tea into small clear glass cups and distributed them with the help of the others. We chatted, with the help of our interpreter Mohammed; they shared with us about the history of the area and voiced village concerns related to issues such as water and electricity. Finally, Captain Smith and I agreed that our legs were going to sleep and gratefully the session ended and we went outside. There were two soldiers from the Public Affairs office waiting to speak to the Akob; ironically, he had just left a room full of men to be interviewed and video taped by two female journalists. He told them he was very appreciative of our service and emphasized the village was friends of the U.S. Before we left, I had my picture taken with him. He grabbed my hand and held it; it was a nice personal touch that I appreciated. The visit to the Buwayr Village to meet and interact with its leaders and children worth was the trip to Iraq. And now, a week later after the successful humanitarian mission to the Buwayr Village, I think of the eleven men in the room: seven representing the village, four representing the 234th Signal Battalion; seven representing Iraq, four representing the United States of America. But most importantly, there were eleven men representing cooperation and hope. I am grateful to my God and Nation that I had the opportunity to be one of the eleven. For God and Country, Chaplain Jay Padgett from Mosul, Iraq - Psalm 23:4

[Radix]

Shouldn't it have been "Hi, Hi Jinx"?


BratSOG!

[HiJinx]

Hi Linda!!!

Woo-Hoo, you got 200!!!

[HiJinx]

No, she got it right!

Hi, Radix! Good to see you here...

We're headed out to dinner, see y'all later...maybe...

Probably not...

Well, 'nuff said...

[Fawnn]

LindaSOG!!! #200!!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Hi Linda- How is Moosh?

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I am glad he is better. I have had my fair share of scary times with sick dogs.

WHEW!! I was worried about Moosh all day.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello, LC, it is so wonderful to "see" you. Prayers continue for you and your family as you are separated. Congratulations on Mini Cut's promotion to Short Cut. Are these young sub-hunters like "the lads" you taught before?

I'm glad you can get back to writing your book, and it should help pass the time. (Thanks thumperusn.) Sorry to hear about Beagle-Cut.

Know that we are here virtually 24/7 to help however we are able. We can't thank you enough for the part you play in keeping America free and safe. Thank you for your service. And thank you also to Mrs Cut and Short Cut for their service as a Navy family

[Diva Betsy Ross]

DEAN MARTIN & RICKY NELSON-MY RIFLE,MY PONY and ME

[Diva Betsy Ross]

OMGosh- I totally understand. I have been there with the sick pups... it is not much different from having a sick child. When your baby is sick that is all you can think about at the time.

My first baby was named Orion, she was a Keeshound.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Have a really GOOD rest of your anniversary day. ((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh my gosh, Linda......how scary is that for Moosh just to keel over. Glad you were right there to take care of him and get him to the vet. Poor Moosh. ((HUGS)) for you and Moosh.

[Radix]

1743 1st American town meeting (Boston's Faneuil Hall)

 

In 1742, Boston's wealthiest merchant, Peter Faneuil, built Faneuil Hall. The edifice was home to merchants, fishermen, meat and produce sellers, and provided a platform for the country's most famous orators. It is where colonists first protested the Sugar Act in 1764 and established the doctrine of "no taxation without representation." Firebrand Samuel Adams rallied the citizens of Boston to the cause of independence from Great Britain in these hallowed Halls, and George Washington toasted the nation on its first birthday. Through the years, Faneuil Hall has played host to many impassioned speakers, from Oliver Wendall Holmes and Susan B. Anthony to Bill Clinton and Teddy Kennedy, always living up to its nickname, "The Cradle of Liberty."

 

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for the Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson tune.

[Kathy in Alaska]

WTG, Hope....you got #50!!
WTG, Radix....you got#100!!
WTG, HiJinx....you got #150!!
WTG, Goddess....you got #200!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Meekie, for the hot chocolate with marshmallows. Nice on a chilly afternoon.