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

 

[MikefromOhio]

I thought they had retired the Tomcats?

[SandRat]

all but a few.

[MikefromOhio]

ahhh ok....

as with most things, it's never truly gone :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Troops, for your service to our country.

Wayfaring Stranger

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy Lord's Day, Mike.

[MikefromOhio]

And to you too :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Sand, for the pic.......way cool sky showcasing one of our jets.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks. How is this odd weather affecting your neck of the woods?

[MikefromOhio]

well I'm kinda glad it cooled off some. That way I can leave the dogs out a bit longer than I have been doing.

Huskies hate really hot weather. This last week really sucked for them.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Of all the...
&^%$#@!!!
Now the shift key works but I can't copy/paste
*fuming*
DRAT!
Ms.B

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Well..
at least I got 150!
LOL
Ms.B

[Kathy in Alaska]

Back to the storage room for you! If it isn't one thing, it is another. LOL!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

wh!!

ms b.....#150!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Huskies and heat don't much like each other. Glad you got some cooler weather.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL
GEEZ!
Back to the storage room indeed!
Ms.B

[MikefromOhio]

yeah....

Unfortunately the puppy gets a bit antsy when she doesn't get outside enough.

She's been driving my wife absolutely nuts.

[TASMANIANRED]

Prayers for Israel.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

SMOOCH!
Hi Sissy!
Ms.B

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening.
How's your day been?

[MS.BEHAVIN]

No smooch for me?
Quiet day..
Did alot of house work and laundry..
Frying up some chicken right now..
How about you?
Ms.B