FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ A GREAT MARINE ~ Oct 1 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

101 posted on 10/01/2006 12:53:35 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)

To: laurenmarlowe; tomkow6; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; Colonel_Flagg; GodBlessUSA; ...

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Ricky Skaggs~Somebody's Praying

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

102 posted on 10/01/2006 12:54:40 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Feeling better today, Kathy?

103 posted on 10/01/2006 12:55:21 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

Good afternoon!

Hope you're having a good day today. Is it cool and cloudy there like it is here?

I am going to take a nap right after this next song, so my day will be getting much better! :D

104 posted on 10/01/2006 12:55:54 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)

And I am ticked of that the rioters are still allowed to exist!

105 posted on 10/01/2006 12:59:18 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)

To: laurenmarlowe; tomkow6; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; Colonel_Flagg; GodBlessUSA; ...

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir~How Great Thou Art
For My Best Friend

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

106 posted on 10/01/2006 1:02:11 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)

To: LUV W; tomkow6; All

TRUE VERY TRUE Indeed

OH LORDY there is report off BRIT FT reporting that Tory party leader Larry Bird got endorsement from Arizona wildcat Senator John McCain

107 posted on 10/01/2006 1:02:18 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("Step aside Jez"=Det Lennie Briscoe)

108 posted on 10/01/2006 1:07:56 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)

Kinda hot here 92

Have a nice nap

109 posted on 10/01/2006 1:09:08 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)

Awesome post...

Amen.

110 posted on 10/01/2006 1:11:23 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

Feel better, Star.
Hug

111 posted on 10/01/2006 1:12:08 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

Sunday Afternoon Hug.

112 posted on 10/01/2006 1:13:11 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

To: TASMANIANRED

Aww-- thanks Tas! But it's my little one who's snotty!! *HUGS!*

113 posted on 10/01/2006 1:13:33 PM PDT by StarCMC ("So what was the price to betray us - Judas?" - SGT Mark Russak to Traitor Murtha)

Hugs,

Afternoon Ms. Feather.

114 posted on 10/01/2006 1:14:45 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

Written by Alan Shacklock, performed by Glass Harp...

True Believer

115 posted on 10/01/2006 1:20:58 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)

Smooch Schatzi..

How was today's mission?

116 posted on 10/01/2006 1:28:48 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

Smooch, LUV.

Thanks for todays inspirational songs.

117 posted on 10/01/2006 1:29:15 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

Sunday Afternoon Hug to ya..

118 posted on 10/01/2006 1:29:48 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

Schatzi.. Not feeling well today?

Belly problem you mentioned last night?

119 posted on 10/01/2006 1:31:08 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

Hug My. Kiss pookster for me.

120 posted on 10/01/2006 1:31:43 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

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