Posted on 05/08/2006 7:21:48 AM PDT by BigDaddyTX
My cousin Bill is currently a Battalion Commander in Afghanistan. I just received this email from his sister.
BigDaddy_TX
----- Original Message ----- Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 8:24 AM Subject: Prayer Request
Dear Family and Friends,
It's me again asking for your prayers. Your love, support, and prayers during Tim's father's final days and upon his death were so powerful and supportive, I am asking for your spiritual strength again now.
I don't know how many of you remember, or even know, that my brother Bill is the battalion commander of an Army aviation unit that has been stationed in Afghanistan since February. If you heard the news on Saturday, you know that a Chinook helicopter crashed in Afghanistan killing 10 soldiers. BILL WAS NOT ONBOARD! This helicopter and most of the soldiers onboard are part of Bill's battalion. As you can imagine, Bill is quite upset and has a heavy burden to bear in helping his unit deal with this tragedy. Likewise, his wife Lori bears the responsibility of helping the familles back at Fort Drum cope with their losses and guiding them with whatever services are available to them from the US Army. Plus, she is experiencing her own fears and anxieties for her husband and their three kids.
First and foremost, I ask for your prayers for the families of the soldiers killed that they may find comfort. Please pray for Bill's safety and that he finds strength and wisdom in leading his troops. Pray for Lori and the kids (Will, Hannah, and Lane) that they keep their faith strong that their husband/Dad will be safe, that they draw closer to each other to support each other to keep their family strong, and that Lori is supported by friends, family, and the US Army in carrying out her duties as the Battalion Commander's wife.
Finally, I ask for your prayers for our extended family as we worry for Bill's safety, and experience secondhand, from the sidelines, the anguish of those in Bill's and Lori's lives.
On behalf of my family, we sincerely value and appreciate your thought and prayers. With no immediate end of our military's need in Afghanistan in sight, your continued prayers are requested.
Prayer sent.
Prayers sent.
Prayers from Indiana
Prayers for all of our brave men and women promoting freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq.
May Our Lord in His infinite Love, comfort and bring hope and healing to the victims and their families. May He be their strength and shelter in this time of grief. May He open His arms to His children and receive them into His glory. In the Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Amen
Prayers from TX
Neverending prayers for all our heroes and their loved ones.
I humbly beseech Thee to give BigDaddyTx reassurance and renew his or her faith in You, Father, that You, and only You, are in complete control in each and every aspect of our lives.
Father God, Thou art protecting all, all, who fight evil, for evil triumphs when good men and women do nothing.
I praise Thee and thank Thee for Your Mercy, Grace and LOVE.
In Jesus Name,
Amen and AMEN
Amen.
Prayers for the souls of these brave soldiers who gave their lives for this country. May all learn to truly understand their sacrifice. May they be an example of courage.
Dear Lord be with Bill, Lori, Will, Hannah and Lane. We ask your strength and love for them. Amen.
Prayers sent
Amen.
I only wish there was some way we could help to lift their burden of pain.
My prayer for Bill comes from Psalm 27:
I pray that You O Lord will be the light, salvation and defense of life for Bill, and banish all fear and dread.
Lord, I pray You will stumble his adversaries and enemies as they come upon him to devour him.
Though a host would encamp against Bill strengthen his heart.
Though war arises against him impart confidence by your Holy Spirit.
Lord grant to Bill that he may behold Your beauty, meditate in Your temple, and dwell in Your house forever.
In the day of trouble conceal him in Your tabernacle, and hide him in Your tent.
Lord, I pray You will lift Bill up on a solid rock above his enemies, and that sureness in Your provision will bring forth shouts of joy and praise to You.
Prayer bump
Prayers from Illinois...an Army Aviation Bn here lost a Chinook in Iraq in 03....22 souls on board....
Prayers sent!
The ghouls on NPR were interviewing one of the widows
this morning.
Prayers all around.
Thank you all!
Prayers lifted.
Thanks TX
"The ghouls on NPR were interviewing one of the widows
this morning."
How did the interview go? What sort of comments did NPR make after the interview?
Prayers on the way!
"I only wish there was some way we could help to lift their burden of pain."
Thanks for the prayers.
I'll contact my cousin's wife to see if there is anything we can do to help the families.
Prayers sent.
Please keep bumping/pinging
Thanks & Update: From cousin Bill's sister
My dear friends and family,
God sure blessed me with great friends and family. I received so many responses to my request for prayers. Thank you and please know that it is making a difference! Please continue to lift up prayers for Bill. I forwarded all of your responses to Lori and then again to Bill so that they both are aware of the spiritual strength you are giving them.
I talked with Lori for a while on Thursday and she sounded strong. She is carrying out her responsibilities in providing support to the families of the fallen soldiers. She shared with me a little of the personal backgrounds of a few of the soldiers. As if the deaths alone are not sad enough, knowing what else the families are dealing with is heartbreaking. One soldier never got to see his one-month old daughter -- his first child! She also said that she communicates with Bill almost daily and that he seems to be healing and rallying the troops to continue with their mission. Lori also said that Will, Hannah, and Lane are doing pretty well with the scary news and that they still feel relatively assured of Bill's safety.
In an email to me earlier this week, Lori wrote: "Thank you so much, I feel all the prayers and the amount of support I've received has been amazing and has brought me to tears many times. Again thank you for your support and encouragement."
Again, I thank you and ask for your continued prayers
Still waiting to hear about memorial funds and a list of things the soldiers can use over there. I'll let everyone know what I hear.
Please keep bumping and pinging.
See update in post #28
Prayers have been sent for all concerned. May God comfort those who have lost loved ones, and may He give them strength in the difficult days ahead. May God protect and Bless all of our troops and their families!
I went to school with the uncle of a soldier killed in a helicopter crash within the past few days. I wonder if it was this one?
Prayers for all the families. Am leaving on a trip home next Tuesday. Maybe I'll get to see him (the uncle).
Thanks.
I'm trying to keep this thread going, I think I've been the last poster on more threads than anyone else (must have something I said).
I appreciate the post!
Another prayer to bttt.
Thank you!!
There's an update in Post #28
Very sad
Selfish BTT
See #28 for update
Prayers up.
And bump to 28.
BigDaddyTX,I saw this when you first posted it but never had a chance to respond but I did pray for all at Mass today,fatima
prayer bump
Thanks fatima, very much appreciated.
Thanks for the update. I will continue lifting them up in prayer!
Prayers from KY.
Thanks
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