FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ A GREAT MARINE ~ August 6 2006

chaplaincare.navy.mil ^ | Chaplain Mitch Schranz

[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

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

You were standing guard. Mr b washed his feet first....got your bases covered!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Pretty good thanks!
I have a ton of housework to do
*sigh*
and I think I just laundered every article of clothing we own!
LOL
Ms.B

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hurrah for Daddy....d:o) Are they litle fish? It is so important for kids to know how to swim. Does summer school have classes for fun stuff?

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL
Yep!
Watcha up to today, Ma?
I did a ton of laundry and am cleaning the sunporch
Juts having a coffee break and some peanut butter crackers..
Yum!
Ms.B

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Troops, for your service to our country.

I Believe For Me He Died

[Kathy in Alaska]

I'm at work....I made a big dent yesterday. Hope to get Friday's payroll finished today....late timecards, wrong rates, the oddball stuff. Then start all over tomorrow. LOL!

You are resting your hip, right?????????? RIGHT?????????

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Sand, for the Marine Prayer.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Amazing Grace.....how sweet the sound. Beautiful, CMN. I'm listening to the piper out on that beautiful landscape.

[Kathy in Alaska]

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.

Thank you, Chaplain Schranz, for today's message.

Thanks, Tonkin, for posting Sunday Chapel.

[txradioguy]

I'm hanging in there.

[sxytxredhead73]

Busy busy huh... I am too doing laundry and the rest of the house work too it never ends for me. LOL

[sxytxredhead73]

LOL!!! Yes they are a little fish! They love the pool they want to go everyday. One of the pools here is walking distance from our house.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Um...
I will, Ma
Gotta get some laundry done..
and am cleanin' the sunporch
Ms.B

[MS.BEHAVIN]

The older I get, the faster it seems to get away from me!
Sheesh!
Ms.B

[AZamericonnie]

Just popping in to wish everyone a blessed Sunday! Heading out to do grocery shopping....a most dreaded chore! But Mother Hubbard's cupboards are bare. lol

Have a restfull day!

*Hugs*

[sxytxredhead73]

Later everyone...have a good day

[Kathy in Alaska]

Walking distance is a good thing.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Troops, for your service to our country.

Peace In The Valley

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Troops, for your service to our country.

Things God Gave Me

[SandRat]

NAVY TOMCAT – A U.S. Navy F-14D Tomcat aircraft, assigned to Fighter Squadron 31, sits on the flight deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Atlantic Ocean, July 27, 2006. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Laird Hi-Res Photo