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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: Kathy in Alaska
I need to learn to refresh, scroll down, and then scroll back up BEFORE I reply. ;)
541 posted on 03/14/2004 10:57:22 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person)
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To: faithincowboys
LOL! The goal of the Canteen is to provide a safe haven and a fun place for our troops, our veterans, their families, and our allies. The 50s and multiples thereof, provide some fun. Thanks for helping.
542 posted on 03/14/2004 10:58:37 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Yup, he is one hot baritone from South carolina-- yee haw!
543 posted on 03/14/2004 10:59:14 PM PST by faithincowboys ( Zell Miller is the only DC Democrat not committing treason.)
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To: Fawnn; faithincowboys; All

Josh Groban

544 posted on 03/14/2004 11:12:36 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: bentfeather
Inside You

Most beautiful, ms feather. Thank you so much for sharing.

545 posted on 03/14/2004 11:19:22 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Sorry, he just doesn't do it for me. Sure, he's talented but he looks like John Walker Lindh with a bath-- not my type!!
546 posted on 03/14/2004 11:21:50 PM PST by faithincowboys ( Zell Miller is the only DC Democrat not committing treason.)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Good night and sleep well, Tonkin. God bless you good for your service to our country, both those years ago, and now in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Canteen. *HUG* Good night to momma cat, run-a-muck, and Sylvester.


547 posted on 03/14/2004 11:23:55 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: Brad's Gramma
Waitin' for ya to get here. No I don't, but I can find someone. You have to get WAY OUT THERE by small airplane...no roads. I do NOT so small airplanes!
548 posted on 03/14/2004 11:31:56 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: LindaSOG
Thanks, Linda, and Doug, for the Thank you Veteran

May G-d look upon you with favor today,
Dear Veteran upon my knees I pray,
G-d grant you peace.

549 posted on 03/14/2004 11:36:55 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: Fawnn
I've always known this song as "The Three Bells."

Me too, but I couldn't find it by that name. Regardless, I love it.

550 posted on 03/14/2004 11:38:23 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Kathy in Alaska!!! #550!!!

551 posted on 03/14/2004 11:44:31 PM PST by Fawnn (Canteen wOOhOO Consultant and CookingWithPam.com person)
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To: The Mayor
Hours late, but thanks, TM, for serving coffee in the good china.
552 posted on 03/14/2004 11:44:40 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; Fawnn; MoJo2001; Brad's Gramma; All
Thanks so very much everyone!
Sweet repose, and God Bless!
Ms.B
553 posted on 03/15/2004 12:04:52 AM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Re-elect G.W.Bush)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN
Good night, MS.B. Thanks for joining in this evening.
554 posted on 03/15/2004 12:34:36 AM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: txradioguy; Old Sarge; kjfine; USAF_TSgt; mystery-ak; mike1sg; The Sailor; alaska-sgt; M1911A1; ...
 

 

 

Time for bed. God Bless all our troops, their families, our veterans and our Israeli, British, Australian, Polish, and Italian allies. We pray for your safe and soon return. Thank you for doing the jobs you do to keep this UNITED STATES OF AMERICA safe. We love you all.

 

 

Thank you to all who enter the Canteen. Salute!

 


A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

 

 



555 posted on 03/15/2004 12:37:33 AM PST by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Military Who Protects Her)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks for all you do Kathy..
thanks for having me here yet again..
good night..
Ms.B
556 posted on 03/15/2004 12:55:41 AM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Re-elect G.W.Bush)
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To: Long Cut
LONG CUT!! Great to hear from you!! I've been wondering how things are going with you. Thanks for giving us an update. It sounds like you have your hands full with all those young sub-hunters to train. Congratulations on the promotion!

*giggle* Short Cut.....love it! And he's crawling already?! They grow so fast, don't they? Time for Mrs. Cut to "kiddie-proof" the house.

Soooooo sorry to hear about Beagle-Cut. :-( That's such a hard decision to make. One of our kitties has cancer and we'll soon be making that trip to the vet. She seems to feel fine now but we know it's just a matter of time.

I know it's hard to be separated from your family, especially after losing your mother. My heart goes out to all of you. You know we're here for you when you need us. We're just a ((ping)) away. :-)

Take care, dear Long Cut. We look forward to hearing from you again soon.

*a big ol' Tennessee hillbilly HUG*
557 posted on 03/15/2004 3:40:43 AM PST by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
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To: All
NEW THREAD
558 posted on 03/15/2004 4:27:21 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops, Past and Present)
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