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FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel and Veterans Day ~ 11 November 07
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World
| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 11/10/2007 6:14:27 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
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NEVER ENOUGH TIME
While I have only been an occasional visitor to Washington, I was struck by one scene so strongly that it remains as somewhat of a reference. My first view "up close and personal" of the Pentagon was neither awe-inspiring nor intimidating. To be sure, I was impressed with the size of the building, but that was about it. What came upon me, and has stayed with me, is the image of an ant farm. An enormous one, surely, but an ant farm nonetheless.
So may passageways with so many ants constantly traveling them. Seeming endless streams of countless ants going and coming through the entrances. Since this view came on a grey, cold March morning, with barren trees and lingering winter, it seemed all the more depressing. I vowed then never to become one of those ants. I would not let myself be lost as one of the faceless, powerless, unknown minions of the "head ant" in the great farm. Not to mention the echo in my mind, that which is often considered a sarcastic oxymoron: "I'm from Washington, and I'm here to help."
Yet something else echoes in my mind. From the Christian Scriptures, the words of the Apostle Paul to the people of Colossae, chapter 4, verse 23: "Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord . . ." For it is then I remember that no matter how small or insignificant my work may seem to me or even to others, I am powerful and effective. My faith reminds me that I am known and loved by my God. More than that, as I do the work, I allow His love to flow through me. And then the work, the worker, and the workplace are transformed into something sacred and beautiful because God is there. No longer dark, dreary, and cold, but bright, cheerful, and warm is the workplace because God's work is being done. No longer nameless, faceless, and powerless, but known, loved, and empowered is the worker doing God's work. The work itself then, too, is transformed into an opportunity to share God's love and joy with others as we struggle to bring peace to His world.
CDR Brian Simpson, CHC, USN
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chaplain; freepercanteen; military; troopsupport; veteransday
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To: SheLion
Good evening SheLion, thank you for sharing your very sweet story.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family always.
Your husband was a true hero!
Our veterans, Troops, and their families are all our heroes.
To: SevenofNine
Good Lord’s Day to you, Seven. Somehow Pakistan needs to get their act together.
42
posted on
11/10/2007 9:45:36 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
43
posted on
11/10/2007 9:49:56 PM PST
by
Seadog Bytes
(OPM - The Liberal 'solution' to every societal problem. (Other People's Money))
To: Brad's Gramma
Good Lord’s Day to you, Grammie.
44
posted on
11/10/2007 9:53:22 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Seadog Bytes
Good Lord's Day, Seadog. Thanks for your service to our country this Veterans Day.
45
posted on
11/10/2007 10:11:44 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
46
posted on
11/10/2007 11:03:30 PM PST
by
Tamar1973
(Riding the Korean Wave, one BYJ movie at a time! (http://www.byj.co.kr))
To: Tamar1973
Good evening, Tamar....a good thing to remember each night. Thanks. When does your rainy season start? It AWLAYS rains around Thanksgiving on the central coast. I’m leaving this week for my annual vacation.
47
posted on
11/10/2007 11:13:14 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
When does your rainy season start? Already started....*ugh*
48
posted on
11/10/2007 11:14:09 PM PST
by
Tamar1973
(Riding the Korean Wave, one BYJ movie at a time! (http://www.byj.co.kr))
To: Alouette; American Preservative; Yehuda; yonif; Tamar1973; MoochPooch; richardtavor; Nix 2; ...
Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
a peaceful and prosperous week.
49
posted on
11/10/2007 11:16:28 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Alouette; American Preservative; Yehuda; yonif; Tamar1973; MoochPooch; richardtavor; Nix 2; ...
He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our G-d from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.
May HASHEM cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.
May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is Hashem, your G-d, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.
G-d bless and keep your children safe, Alouette.
50
posted on
11/10/2007 11:18:33 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: jimfree
Welcome to the Canteen Sunday Chapel, Jim....Mr Tonkin, 68-69tonkingulfyatchclub, used Chaplain Lowthian's picture for years in his opening post on Sundays. When he left us, I continued. You are so right that the Chaplain has a most welcoming smile.
And happy Veterans Day to you and thank you for your service to our country.
51
posted on
11/10/2007 11:27:48 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Tamar1973
But, but...it rescues you from drought....important stuff. Yes?
52
posted on
11/10/2007 11:31:57 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
But, but...it rescues you from drought....important stuff. Yes? Yep! LOL!
53
posted on
11/10/2007 11:32:27 PM PST
by
Tamar1973
(Riding the Korean Wave, one BYJ movie at a time! (http://www.byj.co.kr))
To: Brad's Gramma; MoJo2001; StarCMC; HiJinx; Aeronaut; laurenmarlowe; AZamericonnie; beachn4fun; ...
Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.
54
posted on
11/10/2007 11:40:24 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: SandRat
Good Lord's Day, Sand....thank you for today's verse. And happy Veterans Day and thanks for your service to our country.
55
posted on
11/10/2007 11:57:02 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks again for your work for our military past and present!!
I would like to give a tribute to my husband who passed away July 8, 2007. I would like to give his name and pictures, but he was VQ-2, and was a crypto expert. Lot’s of black ops to keep this country safe, and nearly lost his life a number of times with no credit because of the nature of the missions.
One of our boys is an active duty Naval Officer, and made my husband so proud.
We will go to the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Monday to honor him and all of the others that have served.
We would have been married 49 years on the 21th of this month, and life without my hero is hardly bearable.
To: Coldwater Creek
Good morning, Cold...((HUGS))...on this Veterans Day.
Thank you, Mr Coldwater Creek, for your service to our country...you will never be forgotten.
And thanks to you too, Lt David, for your service to our country.
And thanks to you, Cold, for your service as wife and Mother of 2 of our finest.
57
posted on
11/11/2007 1:00:49 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
This Vetern's Day, I still feel your presence. I remember the stories you told me of that day from hell. I felt like I was beside you, as the bullets shot by. I could hear them, even feel the air they left behind.
When you were hit, I wish I could have been there to help you until the medics arrived. I am so glad your unit was there for you, to reduce the blood loss. I know it hurt. But, I know you wouldn't have ever let anyone know. After all, you were a proud man.
I would have been at that hospital every day, if I had known you, then. I would have brought you everything you loved. I would have sat by your bed and told you stories to make you smile.
Thankfully, your wounds healed, and your service to our country continued for twenty more years.
The two Purple Hearts and the Navy Cross you received have been framed, and are displayed respectfully.
You honored your family, your friends, your loved ones. But most of all, you honored your Country. You believed in the Constitution. You could recite the Bill of Rights. You wept every time you heard the Star Spangled Banner.
You were a proud Marine, and, as I hold this folded flag, close to my heart this Vetern's Day, I want you to know this: Your country honors you, thanks you and misses you. And, I miss you, too. Semper Fi!
58
posted on
11/11/2007 1:13:15 AM PST
by
yorkie
To: Cindy
Good Lord’s Day, Cindy, and thanks for the links.
59
posted on
11/11/2007 1:26:54 AM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
You’re very welcome Kathy.
It feels like snow soon.
60
posted on
11/11/2007 1:33:20 AM PST
by
Cindy
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