Skip to comments.
FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ A GREAT MARINE ~ August 6 2006
chaplaincare.navy.mil ^
| Chaplain Mitch Schranz
Posted on 08/05/2006 4:56:46 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
|
|
A GREAT MARINE
Several years ago as the H & S Battalion Chaplain at MCB, Camp Lejeune, I visited the people in the different work spaces, including the rather large main post office. One day a little conversation took place with young Marine Lance Corporal. This unplanned encounter has remained with me, and it seems worth passing on...
The Lance Corporal was standing by a very large sack of mail. His job, every day, six days a week for many hours was to sort the mail from that large sack and place the letters into smaller sacks, depending upon their destination. He explained his job, and I asked him if he ever gets bored. "Chaplain," he said," this is all I do. Just sort all these endless piles of letters. Sometimes I can't take it anymore." I was drawn into the young Marine's lament and his life's drama started to sound interesting. He continued, "Then, just as it gets to be overwhelming, I'm holding a letter in my hand and I begin to think: Maybe this letter is going from a Marine wife in Jacksonville all the way to her husband on deployment in the Med. He's really misses her and is homesick on that big ship. Then he gets the letter and suddenly he feels much better. The next letter in my hand, I think: Maybe it's from a little boy to his Daddy in Somalia. He drew a picture with crayons to cheer his Dad and put it in the envelope. Each letter makes me wonder because this one may change a life for the better, or at least bring a smile to a lonely Marine or Sailor."
I was shaken by the majesty this young Lance Corporal displayed and said this to him: "Young man, you possess a wisdom rarely found in people who are triple your years. You have more than wisdom, though, you have character and maturity. Indeed you have found the secret to happiness in life. Whatever you wish to achieve, it will undoubtedly one day be yours...it would be a great honor if you would allow me to shake you hand..."
Whenever we face frustrating moments or disappointments in our work day, let's all remember that young Lance Corporal and follow his heroic and inspiring example!
"Give thy servant, therefore, an understanding heart."
King Solomon's prayer in First Kings
Chaplain Mitch Schranz
|
|
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: chaplain
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 ... 161-170 next last
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 FR Canteen Post Office
So they can e-mail a service man or woman today.
AMEN
To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; A Ruckus of Dogs; acad1228; AirForceMom; ..
The Marine Prayer
Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.
Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Semper Fidelis
2
posted on
08/05/2006 4:58:30 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!
Amazing Grace
by John Newton
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, .
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
.
When weve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
Weve no less days to sing Gods praise
Than when wed first begun.
3
posted on
08/05/2006 4:58:49 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3rd Bn. 5th Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
To: xzins; CMS; The Sailor; txradioguy; Jet Jaguar; Defender2; OneLoyalAmerican; bkwells; blacklions; ..
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
5
posted on
08/05/2006 4:59:19 PM PDT
by
AZamericonnie
(Support the Troops...they support us!)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; All
Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.* * * * * * * * * * * *
Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lord, Please Bless Our Troops they're fighting for our Freedom.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
Prayers going up.
6
posted on
08/05/2006 5:01:10 PM PDT
by
HopeandGlory
(Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
To: bannie
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Great post, Tonk - even the most mundane tasks are worthy in a just cause.
8
posted on
08/05/2006 5:02:00 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3rd Bn. 5th Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Just wanted to share with all of you this email I got from Iraq this week. I am humbled and awed by these men. These are the words of an Infantryman who leads other Infantrymen in battle. They were days from redeploying out of Iraq after 18 months in country. They have been redeployed to Baghdad for 3-6 months.
These are probably the finest soldiers this country has ever sent into battle.
Just a quick reply saying, "Thank you!"
I'm in Bagdad now, getting things set for our company to arrive. There will be more to follow for you guys and gals that have so continued to support our efforts.
Oh yeah, our guys will deffinately keep low, kick butt, and take names. I am very confident that as unfortunate for us as it may be, that we are the right guys for the job
9
posted on
08/05/2006 5:02:05 PM PDT
by
MNJohnnie
(Fire Murtha Now! Spread the word. Support Diana Irey. http://www.irey.com/)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
10
posted on
08/05/2006 5:02:30 PM PDT
by
potlatch
(Does a clean house indicate that there is a broken computer in it?)
To: ConorMacNessa
"Great post, Tonk - even the most mundane tasks are worthy in a just cause."
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: All
Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
King James Version
|
|
|
|
|
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Thank you from a daughter of a retired AF Chaplain. God bless you for all you do for the sons and daughters of our military forces. Keep the faith.
13
posted on
08/05/2006 5:17:50 PM PDT
by
flynmudd
(Proud Navy Mom to OSSR Richard T. Blalock-USS Ramage)
To: bannie
Happy birthday bannie & many happy returns of the day! *Hugs*
14
posted on
08/05/2006 5:21:17 PM PDT
by
AZamericonnie
(Support the Troops...they support us!)
To: bannie
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM SANDRAT!
15
posted on
08/05/2006 5:23:59 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Just checked that out, and the email link is defunct and the website for posting is on hiatus.
Are there any other ways to send email to soldiers?
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Hello all, and bless you all -- troops and veterans.
17
posted on
08/05/2006 5:45:58 PM PDT
by
Aeronaut
("Endless repetition is not a coherent argument." —Thomas Sowell)
To: Alouette; USAF_TSgt; American Preservative; Yehuda; yonif; Nix 2; knighthawk; SJackson; Israeli; ...
Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
a peaceful and prosperous week.
18
posted on
08/05/2006 5:47:09 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)
To: Alouette; USAF_TSgt; American Preservative; Yehuda; yonif; Nix 2; knighthawk; SJackson; Israeli; ...
He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.
May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.
May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.
G-d bless and watch over your family, Alouette.
19
posted on
08/05/2006 5:48:30 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; MoJo2001; StarCMC; HiJinx; Aeronaut; beachn4fun; The Mayor; Cindy; ...
Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.
20
posted on
08/05/2006 5:51:53 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 ... 161-170 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson