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

To: stephenjohnbanker

Awwwwwww.....are you having nice weather before your departure?

161 posted on 10/01/2006 5:56:48 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Very pleasant indeed. Whats it like there?

162 posted on 10/01/2006 6:00:04 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Our troops will send all of the worlds terrorists to hell in a handbasket with no virgins!)

To: Kathy in Alaska

163 posted on 10/01/2006 6:02:25 PM PDT by tongue-tied (Go Cubs!)

hmmm...cause of feeling sick or cancelled? Either way, you feeling better?

164 posted on 10/01/2006 6:03:29 PM PDT by tongue-tied (Go Cubs!)

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165 posted on 10/01/2006 6:07:35 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Support Free Republic!)

Can you handle chicken soup yet? d:o)

166 posted on 10/01/2006 6:13:00 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: stephenjohnbanker

Today has been overcast all day...thinking about raining. Yesterday was sunny all day.

167 posted on 10/01/2006 6:21:23 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Alaska looks good no matter what the weather.

168 posted on 10/01/2006 6:26:41 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Our troops will send all of the worlds terrorists to hell in a handbasket with no virgins!)

Not cancelled..
I just wasn't up to it..
If it had not been so far way I would have tried to go..
Ms.B

169 posted on 10/01/2006 6:40:11 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

To: stephenjohnbanker

Howdy!
Its raining and 42 degrees..
BRRRR!!
Ms.B

170 posted on 10/01/2006 6:41:20 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

To: Kathy in Alaska

*HUG*
I have a pot of it simmering now...
Gonna try some in abit..
Ms.B

171 posted on 10/01/2006 6:42:26 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

To: MS.BEHAVIN; Kathy in Alaska

You and kathy have the same weather(42)

Hope you feel better soon!

172 posted on 10/01/2006 7:02:33 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Our troops will send all of the worlds terrorists to hell in a handbasket with no virgins!)

To: stephenjohnbanker

The next door neighbor's front garden right next to the front door.

173 posted on 10/01/2006 7:22:19 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: Kathy in Alaska

ROTFLOL! Bullwinkle must be hungry!

174 posted on 10/01/2006 7:27:09 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker (Our troops will send all of the worlds terrorists to hell in a handbasket with no virgins!)

To: Kathy in Alaska

How sweet of your neighbor to plant dinner for the moose...

175 posted on 10/01/2006 8:27:49 PM PDT by HiJinx (Remember, in the end, the good guys win.)

They, at times, like Christmas bulbs too.

176 posted on 10/01/2006 8:54:02 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

177 posted on 10/02/2006 12:49:18 AM PDT by Seadog Bytes (OPM - The Liberal 'solution' to every societal problem. (Other People's Money))

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