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

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

hee hee
me too!!
Ms.B

81 posted on 08/06/2006 12:10:36 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

Sure I'll lend a hand cookin.

82 posted on 08/06/2006 12:10:53 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)

it'll be fun!
First night you guys are here we hafta have a lobstah dinnah!
it won't be all work and no play..
We're gonna go out to eat too!
ms.B

83 posted on 08/06/2006 12:15:53 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

Sounds good to me!

Welp, I gotta run.
You have a great day

84 posted on 08/06/2006 12:20:12 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)

You too!
See ya tonight?
ms.B

85 posted on 08/06/2006 12:25:38 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

86 posted on 08/06/2006 12:35:53 PM PDT by sxytxredhead73

To: sxytxredhead73

red.......(((((((((HUGS)))))))) How are you? We've missed you.

87 posted on 08/06/2006 12:36:45 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

Safe trip, HJ! Enjoy your visit.

88 posted on 08/06/2006 12:37:37 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: sxytxredhead73

We finally got more then one computer back online

89 posted on 08/06/2006 12:38:05 PM PDT by sxytxredhead73

To: Kathy in Alaska; sxytxredhead73

She finally kicked me off her computer so she could get online! LOL!

90 posted on 08/06/2006 12:39:09 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)

To: Kathy in Alaska

I'm great how bout you? I've missed everyone here it's just I haven't found time.

91 posted on 08/06/2006 12:40:55 PM PDT by sxytxredhead73

LOL!!! Glad you said that SO I didn't have to!!!

92 posted on 08/06/2006 12:42:12 PM PDT by sxytxredhead73

To: sxytxredhead73; txradioguy

Happy Lord's Day to you both.....does this mean you got wireless up and running? Time is a hot commodity these days. I'm missing all sorts of stuff for lack of time.

93 posted on 08/06/2006 12:42:50 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: sxytxredhead73; txradioguy

Oops....I didn't read back. You are both online now. Super!! Has it quit raining? Or being too hot?

94 posted on 08/06/2006 12:44:07 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: Kathy in Alaska

It's quit raining and is still really hot...I wish it was raining again.

95 posted on 08/06/2006 12:45:01 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)

ms b....happy Lord's Day to you. ((HUGS)) New keyboard yet? Still in storage? LOL!

96 posted on 08/06/2006 12:45:36 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: Kathy in Alaska; sxytxredhead73; All

97 posted on 08/06/2006 12:45:36 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)

To: Kathy in Alaska; sxytxredhead73; All

98 posted on 08/06/2006 12:45:44 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)

To: Kathy in Alaska; sxytxredhead73; All

99 posted on 08/06/2006 12:45:49 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)

To: Kathy in Alaska; sxytxredhead73; All

100 posted on 08/06/2006 12:45:54 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)

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