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

Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

King James Version

61 posted on 10/01/2006 8:45:39 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

To: Kathy in Alaska

Thank you, Kathy, for the beautiful graphic and its inspirational music.

62 posted on 10/01/2006 8:55:54 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

Thank you for your beautiful post!

63 posted on 10/01/2006 9:01:06 AM PDT by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES.)

Good Sunday morning to you Meg.

You're welcome.

64 posted on 10/01/2006 9:02:14 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

To: bentfeather; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; AZamericonnie; beachn4fun; Bethbg79; bitt; blackie; Boazo; ..

His father sends a small boy to bed. Five
minutes later....
"Da-ad...."
"What?" "I'm thirsty. Can you bring drink of water?" "No. You had your
chance. Lights out."
Five minutes later: "Da-aaaad....."
"WHAT?"
"I'm THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water??"
"I told you NO!" If you ask again, I'll have to spank you!!"
Five minutes later......"Daaaa-aaaad....."
"WHAT!"
"When you come in to spank me, can you bring a drink of water?"

65 posted on 10/01/2006 9:31:01 AM PDT by Lady Jag (All I want is a kind word, a warm bed, and unlimited power)

LOL! Typical kid trick.

66 posted on 10/01/2006 9:35:31 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

To: Lady Jag; tomkow6; All

OHH ESPN reporting this morning that some Federal invident claim that both Houston Rocket man Roger clemens and Chicago Cub Sammy Sosa may have TOOK THE JUICE NO KIDDING

Really

Also report off BBC wire report that US is this close of lay sanctions on Iran and get UN do it too

67 posted on 10/01/2006 9:39:14 AM PDT by SevenofNine ("Step aside Jez"=Det Lennie Briscoe)

To: tomkow6; LUV W; All

I think Vlady throw hissy fit there is report off Interfax wire that he badmouth Russia Georgia for holding those Russian soldiers they capture during the week

Guess this according to Vlady he throw a diva fit because reason why Vodka is so expesnive oversea is because Americans DRINK Too much

OKAY it is offical we are country of booze hounds LOLOLOL

Vlady take drink of that Vodka CHILL

Guess which city he blame he blame Burka man hood CHICAGO LOLOLOL!

TOO FUNNY

68 posted on 10/01/2006 9:43:37 AM PDT by SevenofNine ("Step aside Jez"=Det Lennie Briscoe)

69 posted on 10/01/2006 9:52:11 AM PDT by laurenmarlowe

((LOL))

((HUGS))Good morning, L.J. How's it going?

70 posted on 10/01/2006 10:00:10 AM PDT by E.G.C.

Yes, but if adults were as creative . . .

71 posted on 10/01/2006 10:05:59 AM PDT by Lady Jag (All I want is a kind word, a warm bed, and unlimited power)

I'm not surprised they are on the juice. I am surprised at the tattle-tales. This is the second tattle-tale that I know of and the first ruined his own career by his telling. I would have thought that the second would have learned a lesson in that.

72 posted on 10/01/2006 10:12:03 AM PDT by Lady Jag (All I want is a kind word, a warm bed, and unlimited power)

EGEE, we have a rainy day, all day, and my web site is down for the second day in a row. Things could be just a little better.

73 posted on 10/01/2006 10:51:23 AM PDT by Lady Jag (All I want is a kind word, a warm bed, and unlimited power)

To: blackie; Jet Jaguar; Jack Deth; txradioguy; tongue-tied; E.G.C.; WestVirginiaRebel; Laurita; ...

Someone forgot the coffee....oops.

74 posted on 10/01/2006 11:43:44 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Afternoon coffee bump.

Thanks Kathy for the coffee.:-D

75 posted on 10/01/2006 11:45:33 AM PDT by E.G.C.

To: Kathy in Alaska

Thanks for the coffee, Kathy. I would like to ask that you include another in your prayers given to the troops defending liberty and freedom. My sister's husband's niece is now in Iraq. Her name is Danis, and her father and I went to school together. Plus, our son wrestled against each other in high school. So, we know the family pretty well. Please add Danis to your prayers.

76 posted on 10/01/2006 11:48:02 AM PDT by SoldierDad (Proud Father of an American Soldier fighting in the WOT)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Good afternoon Kathy.

77 posted on 10/01/2006 12:04:34 PM PDT by Pusterfuss (Proud member: Minnesotans for Global Warming)

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

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Glad~Before the Throne of God Above

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

78 posted on 10/01/2006 12:06:18 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~~

McCoy Family Singers~Beulahland;wma

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

79 posted on 10/01/2006 12:09:40 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: laurenmarlowe; tomkow6; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; Colonel_Flagg; GodBlessUSA; ...

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Cathedrals~Trying To Get A Glimpse.wma

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

80 posted on 10/01/2006 12:15:47 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)

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