USO Canteen FReeper Style~ Sunday Chapel ~ December 15 2002

USO Canteen Chaplin grantswank

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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The Canteen Chapel at Christmas

Although we are always aware
that the Canteen is operating
in Cyberspace, we want the troops
and anyone who is on the receiving end
of prayers at the Canteen,
to know that these prayers are very real.

I hope the troops and Canteeners
alike, will view this Canteen Chapel,
as a place where you might go in times of
trouble or times of joy to be with your God.

"Come unto me all ye who are weary and
burdened,and I shall give you rest." (Matt: 11:28).

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George W. Bush: A President of Faith

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A Man of Prayer

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A reporter on CNN was asked

"What did George W. Bush do
on his first morning as president-elect?"

This was Tony Clark's answer:

"He attended a prayer service with family,
friends and staff members."

George W Bush's priorities were established
on the first day of his Presidency.

The President Takes His Faith to Work

President George W. Bush looks over to Thomas Martello, 6,
during the signing ceremony of the Victims of Terrorism
Tax Relief Act in the East Room Jan. 23.
"We're joined today by families who have lost loved ones
in the great acts of evil," said the President.
"As you draw on faith and personal strength to cope with your grief,
I hope you'll also find comfort in the knowledge that
your nation stands with you and prays for you.
We mourn those whom we've lost, and we face the future together."

The President Lives his Faith

President Bush says he prays every day
in all kinds of situations,
and has been seen to quietly bow his head and pray
before news conferences and important meetings.
"I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things
but for heavenly things, for wisdom
and patience and understanding."

"For strength and support, Bush turns to
the same things that have sustained
him for two decades: his faith and his family . . .
Bush prays and reads the Bible every day.
These days, aides say, they often spot
a Bible on his desk in the Oval Office.
In conversation or meetings, he often refers to
passages of Scripture that he has just read."

"There are prayers that help us last
through the day, or endure the night.
There are prayers of friends and strangers
that give us strength for the journey.
And there are prayers that yield
our will to a will greater than our own."

George W. Bush September 14, 2001
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.

Listen to President George W Bush
in an Inspiring Song by Russ Lee

Don't miss this.

I'm Going To Live What I Believe

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Music for Christmas

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The Hallelujah Chorus (Mormon Tabernacle Choir) ......Ave Maria (Kiri Te Kawana)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Garth Brooks).....

Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Andy Williams)......What Child is This (Enya)

Joy to The World (Anne Murray).......When a Child is Born (The Mistletones)

Deck the Halls (Mormon Tabernacle Choir)........O Holy Night

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The Children's Corner

Click on child in prayer, to hear Veggie Tunes
(this is over half an hour of music)

"Angels We Have Heard on High"
sung by a Children's Chorus

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Hymns of the Military

Army Hymn: "God of Our Fathers"

Navy Hymn: "Eternal Father Strong to Save"

Air Force Hymn: "Lord Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly"

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We, at the Canteen, offer these prayers 
to those serving their country 
today. God Bless you all.

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Psalm 59:1,16&17
(Patti Vaillant)

"Deliver me from mine enemies,O my God:
Defend me from them that rise up against me.
But I will sing of thy power;yes I will sing
aloud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou
hast been my defence and refuge in the day
of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength will
I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of 
my mercy."

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Our Prayer
(Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli)

I pray you'll be our eyes, 
And watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise 
In times when we don't know.

Let this be our prayer, 
When we lose our way.
Lead us to a place, 
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe. 

I pray we'll find your light,
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
Remind us where you are.. 

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace 
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.

Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child,
Needs to find a place, 
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

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Chap Grant's Christmas Greetings
to the Canteen.

BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOURS. . .
GRANT AND PRISCILLA
CHRISTMASTIDE 2002

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The Chaplain's Corner

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J. Grant Swank, Jr.,
Pastor, New Hope Church

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AN INN FOR CHRISTMAS

"I'll bring you another blanket," I said.

"Greg, when you leave in the morning, make sure you turn out the lights."

Greg smiled, understanding that he did have a
habit of forgetting to turn out the lights in his
one-room shelter at the church.

How could parents put their child out at Christmas?

"How is it that they told you to leave?" I asked
him when he wandered into my living room that
desperately cold night.

"They said they had had it with my being a Christian."

"You can use the rest rooms -- shave, bathe. You
can use the church kitchen to make your meals.
Sometimes we'll invite you over for supper. How's
that?"

On the following Sunday I informed our
congregation of Greg's plight. After worship,
people needed no prodding to get heads and hearts
together.

"Do you have the box decorated?" someone
asked. I assured her that Marie had everything in
place.

"Good morning, Greg," I called to him as he
left his one-room abode to join the rest of us.

"Good morning, Pastor," he replied cheerily.

Greg had been invited to his parents' for Christmas
Day. He would go, he said, "to show them that I
love them in spite of what they've done to me."
Fine. Then go.

Our church fellowship meal was eaten with relish.
Such delicious tastes!

"Now?" Sally asked.

"Now," I whispered back.

The huge box was brought out into the center of
the fellowship hall.

"Greg."

It was not easy to get Greg's attention when he
was eating!

"Greg, we have something special for you today.
Here are some presents we wrapped up just for
you. May this be a blessed Christmas after all."

The young man--not all that tall--rose to extra
height with gladness as he sauntered over to the gifts.

"How can I say what's in my heart?" he asked,
hardly able to say much more.

"Greg?" I knocked on his door late Christmas night.
Loud music was blaring.

"Greg?" I knocked again.

"What are you listening to?" I asked whimsically.

Greg turned down the volume.

"I guess I was just trying to drown out something
inside with that noise," Greg said haltingly.

"That bad, was it?" I ventured.

"That bad."

"And what did your parents get you for
Christmas?" I asked.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? Nothing at all?"

Greg nodded. At the other side of the room were
all the gifts given by the church folk.

"My parents are not very happy people. I feel
sorry for them. I'm beginning to understand that
they really do need a lot of help."

"Their not giving me anything was really getting to
me tonight. I turned up the radio so that I could
drown out some of the hurt inside."

"No problem, Greg."

"Yet, Pastor, through this whole mess I've realized
one precious gift that stands out more than anything
else."

"What's that?"

"It's that I do have a family. They are more than I
have ever had in my whole life. They are all those
people who come into this church. They love me."

I left him and walked back home.

"How's he doing?" my wife asked as I walked
through the door.

"Not too well. But not too badly either. I mean, I
think this is one of the most precious Christmases
Greg will ever know. For some very important reasons,
this season will no doubt stand out in his memory as
one of the most meaningful times in his life."

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Click on banner above to listen to this song.

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Our Canteen Chaplain,Grant Swank,is pastor 
of the New Hope Church. He has pastored for 
40+ years, ministering in Calgary, Alberta;
Indianapolis; Kansas City; Manchester CT; 
Akron OH; Fishkill NY; Walpole MA and presently 
in Maine. 

Grant also finds ministry in writing for various 
Protestant and Catholic publications, including 
CHRISTIANITY TODAY, DECISION and THE PRIEST. 

Presently, Grant is providing columns for 
websites such as CHALCEDON, INTELLECTUAL.
CONSERVATIVE, 
MENSNEWSDAILY, MICHNEWS and WOUNDEDSHEPHERDS. 

He also writes a weekly column, "Lakes 
Religion," for the PORTLAND PRESS HERALD 
newspaper, Portland ME. 

He and his wife, Priscilla, have traveled 
extensively, including the Middle East, Europe 
and South America. The Swanks have three adult 
children: Crystal, Jay and 
Heidi Jo.

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Chap Grant, for today's message about the importance of "family".

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wishing all our Jewish troops, veterans, families, allies and friends a peacefuful and prosperous week.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Linda, for the Call to Prayer.

"Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies."
Psalms 60:12

[Kathy in Alaska]

Fourth Force Reconnaissance Company Marines free-fall from an altitude of 10,000 feet above the skies of Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The company tries to perform this type of insert operation at least one time a month to keep its skills sharp. Photo by: Sgt. Jason Elson

4th Force Recon paints Schofield skies
Story by Sgt. Alexis R. Mulero

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, ISLAND OF OAHU, Hawaii(Nov. 27, 2002) -- SCHOFIELD BARRACKS - Nine Marines from 4th Force Reconnaissance Co., aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, strapped on their chutes and color coated the Hawaiian skies while accomplishing airborne operations at Drop Zone Lightning aboard Schofield Barracks, Nov. 27.

Parachuting is just one of the myriad of ways these information-gathering warriors insert for recon operations.

"Jumps are one of the missions we're required to perform, and anytime we can get training like this will always improve the company's readiness," said Gunnery Sgt. Gerald Rohn, operations chief, 4th Force Recon.

During the evolution, the Marines accomplished three jumps to fine-tune this necessary skill.

The first and last jump practiced was a low-level static line at 1,500 ft. above ground level, which offers them several options while inserting into an operation.

"This type of jump will possibly bring an aircraft below enemy radar; it keeps stick integrity, and provides a long-range, low-level insert capability without actually landing an aircraft on the ground," said Rohn, who also serves as a jumpmaster.

The second jump was the breathtaking free-fall jump in which the Marines soared at an altitude of 10,000 ft. above ground level.

"The fretful will give you a long-range and high-altitude to insert recon teams above surface to air threat," said Rohn.

All in all, this parachuting operation will polish these Marines' already sharp inserting skills.

"We're always on a stepping stone building for any possible contingencies," explained Rohn. "We have to be ready at anytime, and this is another tool in our toolbox."

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Sunday morning, BIS.

[Kathy in Alaska]

"Canteen Blessing for the Troops"

Thanks, ms feather. Always a nice thing for the troops to see.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Lance Cpl. Daniel T. Yorba (center), a Juneau, Alaska, native, pictured with his combat flying crew Cpl. Eric R. Ricard (left), a White Lake, Mich., native, and Cpl. Chris L. Rounsaville, a Petal, Miss., native, in front of "Smilin Through II", a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). The name and artwork for the helicopter was inspired by Yorba's grandfather Bernardo, a World War II B-17 pilot. Photo by: Sgt. Zachary A. Bathon

Former Army Air-Corps 2nd Lt. Bernardo Yorba (front row, left) is pictured with his combat flying crew from the original "Smiling Through", a B-17 Bomber he flew with 534th squadron, 381st Bomb Group, during World War II. Photo by: Courtesy Photo

Former Army Air-Corps 2nd Lt. Bernardo Yorba, Lance Cpl. Daniel T. Yorba's grandfather, pilots a B-17 Bomber during World War II. Photo by: Courtesy Photo

The artwork on "Smilin Through II", a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, which was inspired by the nose art from Lance Cpl. Daniel T. Yorba's grandfather's B-17 Bomber. Photo by: Sgt. Zachary A. Bathon

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY(December 13, 2002) -- Since the beginning of aviation, art has always played a major role in identifying different aircrafts. Whether it was a painting on the nose of an airplane that reminded the crew of their mothers or girlfriends back home, or a paint scheme that made the entire plane resemble a certain animal, art has always been used to give a certain airplane its own identity. For one lance corporal with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), the artwork on the side of his CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter is a tribute to the man who has been the greatest influence in his life - his grandfather.

But there is more to the story. The painting on the side of Lance Cpl. Daniel T. Yorba's helicopter was designed to resemble the artwork on the B-17 Bomber his grandfather, Former Army Air-Corps 2nd Lt. Bernardo Yorba, flew during World War II.

"I never actually got to see a picture of his artwork, but I designed mine from what he told me about his," said Yorba, a CH-46 crew chief. "What he had was a girl sitting on a (.50 caliber machine gun), so that is what I made, and added some more things that were important to me."

The design, a huge star that features a girl sitting atop a firing .50 cal adorned by the American and Prisoner of War flags with "Smiling Through" across the top was the result of a year and half of planning.

"I wanted to wait until I finally got my own aircraft," said the Juneau, Alaska native. "Once I finally got my name printed on the side of one of our airplanes, I put my artwork on it."

"The name of my airplane is 'Smiling Through', the same name as my grandfather's," said Yorba. "He named his plane that because he said when you are going through the worst of it, you have to keep a positive mental attitude.

He was always positive, even after spending time as a P.O.W."

Yorba said his grandfather was shot down while flying a combat mission over Germany in October 1943.

Bernardo Yorba was not assigned to the group mission that day, but went up as a spare to cover any aborts. Unfortunately, another B-17, "Our Mom" aborted that day due to engine problems, and his grandfather's crew took over their spot. They were to be the only plane shot down that day.

"Even after that, he could still never swear about the Nazis," said Yorba. "That was the kind of man he was, and I have tried to model myself after him."

"He used to tell me stories about flying and that's when I decided to become a crew chief," he said. "I know he was in the Army Air-Corps, but I didn't think the Army would offer me what I wanted, so I joined the Marine Corps."

After going through a long period of schooling, Yorba ended up with HMM-263 just before the unit started the Predeployment Training Program with the 24th MEU (SOC).

Currently, Yorba and "Smiling Through" are in support of Operation Enduring Freedom aboard the USS Nassau (LHA-4). He said his favorite thing from the deployment so far, was extracting some members of the MEU's Reconnaissance and Surveillance Platoon from a mountaintop at sunset during the MEU's recent exercise in Djibouti, Africa.

"I had a lot of fun in Kosovo too, said Yorba. "Giving candy to the children was a blast."

With those memories to look back on and the chance to make a lot more in the future, Yorba said his grandfather would be happy with him.

"Sometimes when I'm flying and really enjoying the view and the experience of flying, I think about my grandfather doing the same thing when he was flying," said Yorba. "I think if he were here right now he would definitely be proud of me."

[blackie]

Sunday Chapel ... Bump!

Be well - Be armed - Be safe - Molon Labe!

[firewalk]

Hiya Kathy (-:

[Kathy in Alaska]

"Sunday Chapel ... Bump!"

Good Sunday to you, blackie, the happy bumper.

[radu]

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE! I hope all are having a restful Sunday.

Howdy service men and women past and present, and allies. Thank You for serving our country. It's because of your being there to protect our freedoms that we're able to celebrate the various religious holidays that abound in America, along with everything else. We're all deeply in your debt.

Thank you, Chaplain and Cote, for the Sunday Chapel each week. It makes the Canteen that much more a Home Away From Home for our troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Congratulations!!

[radu]

Thank you Tonk, Canteen guys and men in the military for the gorgeous holiday arrangement. This is perfect for the mantle on the fireplace in the Canteen living room.

HUGS for all of you!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Congratulations!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks Canada!

[radu]

Ooooooooooh my! You've gotta know how seeing this photo taken from the plane as the Marines jump out over Schofield Barracks makes me dizzy. LOL!!

My lil straw farm hat's off to the Fourth Force Reconnaissance Company Marines, and to ALL our fighting men and women. The things they do in order to protect our country makes them A-Number One in my book!

[grantswank]

you are most welcome, kathy.

may you live under heaven's smile during this holy season.

chap grant

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Ok, Girlz, we have a really neat, quiet, sedate ride for a Sunday. Redhead and radu can be pressed into driving service if necessary. Don't forget your hats with ear flaps, and extra blankets are a must.

[MoJo2001]

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A Musical Dedication To Our Troops and Veterans! God Bless All Of You!!

CLICK ON ALL THE GRAPHICS!!

Lighting A Candle In Support Of Ted Maher,
his family, friends, and supporters! Keep
The Faith!

Warning: Offensive Music! You've Been Warned!

Tomorrow is Monday! I know! Here's a song for ya! When
someone annoys you at work or elsewhere, just think of this song:

Here's a potpourri of music! Many were hits before I existed!
(I know that pains some that I was even born. LOL)

The music was brought to you today by:
MoJo and Ma!

Remember: Not All Music Is For Everyone!
Just A Variety For Everyone To Choose From!

THE MUSIC DEDICATION CONTINUES!!
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!! ENJOY THE
MUSIC! STAY SAFE

FROM ALL OF US AT
THE CANTEEN!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Sunday to you, Aeronaut and Otto. Keeping the faith with you for snow before Christmas.