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: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; mylife; LUV W; tongue-tied; NYTexan; laurenmarlowe; ...

Thank you for posting Chapel Mr Tonkin...
*HUG*
A peaceful and Blessed Sunday to my Canteen family and to our beloved Troops.
Ms.B

81 posted on 10/01/2006 12:23:09 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

Good afternoon!

((((hugs)))))

Hope you're having a great Sunday!

82 posted on 10/01/2006 12:24:39 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~~

The Imperials~Sweet, Sweet Spirit

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

83 posted on 10/01/2006 12:25:19 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

Hi Ma! You've got FReepmail!

84 posted on 10/01/2006 12:28:15 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)

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

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Glad~This is My Father's World/For the Beauty of the Earth.wma

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

85 posted on 10/01/2006 12:29:41 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~I Will Give Thee Thanks.wma

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

86 posted on 10/01/2006 12:32:46 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)

My dad sang that song in church when we went for our family reunion a couple weeks ago. I LOVE that song.

87 posted on 10/01/2006 12:33:30 PM PDT by StarCMC ("So what was the price to betray us - Judas?" - SGT Mark Russak to Traitor Murtha)

Hey TX -- good to see ya!! *HUGS!*

88 posted on 10/01/2006 12:34:08 PM PDT by StarCMC ("So what was the price to betray us - Judas?" - SGT Mark Russak to Traitor Murtha)

HI, LJ!

free dixie HUGS,sw

89 posted on 10/01/2006 12:34:45 PM PDT by stand watie ( Resistance to tyrants is OBEDIENCE to God. -----T.Jefferson)

To: seasoned traditionalist; StarCMC; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; trussell

Hi seasoned!
We did a USO thread to honor them awhile back.
I believe it was trussell who helped me with that one.
I'll see if perhaps I can find it for you!
Hope you didn't mind me jumpng in!
Ms.B

90 posted on 10/01/2006 12:35:17 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

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

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Mercy Me~I Can Only Imagine

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

91 posted on 10/01/2006 12:37:57 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)

I do too, Star! I just had to include it. We sing it in our congregation sometimes, too.

92 posted on 10/01/2006 12:39:07 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)

Wish I felt a little better..
I'll see you after my nap, okay?
*HUG*
Ms.B

93 posted on 10/01/2006 12:42:31 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

Glass Harp

Song of Hope

94 posted on 10/01/2006 12:44:16 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)

Okay...after a couple of more songs, I am taking one, too!

((((hugs))))

See ya later, Sis! :D

95 posted on 10/01/2006 12:44:57 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~~

Glad~The Master Has Come/O Worship the King.wma

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

96 posted on 10/01/2006 12:47:36 PM PDT by luvie (We didn’t lose almost 3000 people that day.We lost one wonderful person at a time, almost 3000 times)

*HUG*
Missed you last night..
I'll see you a little later on, ok?
Ms.B

97 posted on 10/01/2006 12:48:19 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

To: ConorMacNessa

Very nice...

I like bagpipes...

98 posted on 10/01/2006 12:50:39 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

To: LUV W; tomkow6; All

Look like this what happen if you put terrorists in charge report from Hareetz wire people are rioting right now IN Gaza I saw on Fox news tick off that Israel still exist

And they haven't been pay guess this they are tick off that Israel still exist

Don't ask

99 posted on 10/01/2006 12:52:07 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("Step aside Jez"=Det Lennie Briscoe)

To: weldgophardline

Bless your son.

Give him my thanks for his service.

We pray with diligence for their safety and well being.

100 posted on 10/01/2006 12:52:56 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)

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