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FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ MAR 14 2004
Chaplain Jay Padgett from Mosul, Iraq

Posted on 03/13/2004 8:21:28 PM PST by 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



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KEYWORDS: chaplain
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To: MoJo2001
It is a shame, that the Aznar gov't is out. The terrorist will now have a new haven in Spain.
441 posted on 03/14/2004 9:40:44 PM PST by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
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To: HopeandGlory
Penguins?

Woo HOOO!!! BRB!!!!!
442 posted on 03/14/2004 9:40:44 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma (Pray for America and Israel)
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To: StarCMC
I'm only wOOhOOing. I'll have to go back and read later. I'm not as good at multitasking as MoJo is. ;)


StarCMC!!! #350!!!

443 posted on 03/14/2004 9:41:15 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN


Is this Mr.B??

444 posted on 03/14/2004 9:41:47 PM PST by MoJo2001 (I have a dream: DIR C: 965465065464984030373436 bytes free...)
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To: Brad's Gramma
That would be fun trying to spell schwarzenegger as a write in ...
445 posted on 03/14/2004 9:41:53 PM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi Mac ... Support Our Troops! ... Thrash the demRats in November!!! ... Beat BoXer!!!)
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To: HopeandGlory
God speed to her!
446 posted on 03/14/2004 9:42:25 PM PST by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
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To: MoJo2001

MoJo2001!!! #400!!!

447 posted on 03/14/2004 9:42:35 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person)
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To: alaska-sgt
Aznar was leaving anyways, but he had handpicked the next PM. It's sad that they are blaming his party. I just know that there are some Dimwits in this country that would probably do the same thing.

The terrorists have shown that Europe is willing to run towards appeasement when blood is shed on their lands. Yet we want them fighting alongside our guys?

Good riddance Spain!
448 posted on 03/14/2004 9:43:37 PM PST by MoJo2001 (I have a dream: DIR C: 965465065464984030373436 bytes free...)
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To: MoJo2001
I'm holding out to see the fallout -- Spain has been a good ally so far. I hope it remains, so, but I have reservations. We'll see....
449 posted on 03/14/2004 9:44:03 PM PST by StarCMC (God protect the 969th in Iraq and their Captain, my brother...God protect them all!)
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To: MoJo2001
yes it is!!!
(be still my heart :-)
Mojo, he is far and away, Maines' COOLEST Legislator!
Ms.B
450 posted on 03/14/2004 9:44:11 PM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Re-elect G.W.Bush)
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To: faithincowboys
Welcome to the Canteen, faithincowboys. Thanks for the link. There are some things that we just can't send. LOL! The most requested is beef jerky and always mentioned: sox!
451 posted on 03/14/2004 9:44:13 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: Fawnn
Go MoJo! Go MoJo! Go MoJo! Go MoJo! Go MoJo!!

Dang that's awesome!!

*HUGS*
452 posted on 03/14/2004 9:44:15 PM PST by MoJo2001 (I have a dream: DIR C: 965465065464984030373436 bytes free...)
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To: faithincowboys
"Did you follow the link?"

Yes, I sure did.
Then I PINGED my list!
453 posted on 03/14/2004 9:45:48 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
WooHoo!!

He should come to VA and run for the Legislation. We don't have anyone that hip or cool. How about it? Hehe!
454 posted on 03/14/2004 9:46:08 PM PST by MoJo2001 (I have a dream: DIR C: 965465065464984030373436 bytes free...)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

MS.BEHAVIN!!! #450!!!

455 posted on 03/14/2004 9:47:14 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person)
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To: HopeandGlory
OK.....found it. THAT took long enough, and if you already have it...lie to me. Just LIE THROUGH YOUR TEETH! LOL!!!


456 posted on 03/14/2004 9:47:27 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma (Pray for America and Israel)
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To: faithincowboys
Welcome to the Canteen!! Thank you for posting your link here!!

457 posted on 03/14/2004 9:47:28 PM PST by MoJo2001 (I have a dream: DIR C: 965465065464984030373436 bytes free...)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN

Congrats Ms.Behavin on getting 450!

458 posted on 03/14/2004 9:48:04 PM PST by StarCMC (God protect the 969th in Iraq and their Captain, my brother...God protect them all!)
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To: alaska-sgt
Sitting around and doing nothing is a good thing to do on occasion. I started several projects and got side tracked from each. I guess I'll try to finish later tonight....maybe.
459 posted on 03/14/2004 9:48:20 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: StarCMC
They have left themselves opened for creatures of vile repute and indistinguishable filth. For that we must all be saddened. Yet, we must never surrender.
460 posted on 03/14/2004 9:50:18 PM PST by MoJo2001 (I have a dream: DIR C: 965465065464984030373436 bytes free...)
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