Posted on 05/22/2009 3:29:43 PM PDT by gandalftb
Hot&sunny, ops 24/7, bad guys regrouping. The brawl will begin again...probably tonight. bad guys redistributing ammo&moving for new cover.
We're on the edge of town&hear the imam's rail against us...morale extremely high...extra intensity, friends on the line. senior nco's and officers here, feel the pull. They've trained everyone on the line...
Today at the Div. Chaplain office. He waded into Ar Ramadi during the firefight three days ago...to provide ministry at the aid station...where he was needed.
Second, coordinating Holy Week Services. A)worry about large numbers in one place. B)organists in short supply and no organ.C)We are going to worship..we need Easter..we live in the valley of the shadow of death..
Third, twice a day at the 'Cave'..the COC (combat operation center)..poorly lit. I pray for each person/position. don't know many of them, but God does.
the COC is loaded with strack looking Marines..senior officers are lean, tanned and deadly serious. The place exudes warriors in a street fight. They're bloodied. They exist to close with the enemy.
Their enemy has taunted the Marines. We are in a violent land, with an evil element. That is clearly understood and never discussed.
Fourth, convoy prayers... I hunt them down..pass out a small card with a convoy prayer and gather whoever wants to pray. The number of prayers is going up, hourly, as ambushes continue. The enemy gives no quarter.
Fifth, ministry of presence..in a place this small..I walk from shop to shop and just say, 'hi'..many times someone says..."Hey, chappy..it's great to have you here." seeing a chaplain is calming this close to the fight. I bring up water.
Good Friday in Ar Ramadi. I'll lead evening service. We will remember our Savior who died that we might live..and we'll be thinking about young Marines willingly putting their lives on the line ..
Good Friday to you, John
(Excerpt) Read more at s723.photobucket.com ...
The Division Chaplain's action referred to, was in Ar Ramadi on 6 April 2004 when 12 Marines from 2/4 were killed. Here are pics remembering them:
Let us remember all our fallen heroes.
The second pic is the memorial for the KIA of the 4 Battalions of the Fifth Marines, Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The third pic is of the medals and devices and memorials left at the base of the 2/4 Marines.
God bless these fallen heroes...
God Bless our troops.
http://s723.photobucket.com/albums/ww238/gandalftb/
Click on any pic and it will go to full screen.
Also, Up the highway in Manteca, CA, a dinner was held last week honoring Gold Star Families from the area. Fourteen families received a set of these windchimes...
Thank God it was a Christian school where it was done ... it would never have happened at any public (read government) school ... beautiful tribute ... our family is heading out Saturday for some events then back home for a BBQ with some of my dad’s Marine buddies and my brother’s (two) and their vet friends ....
Amen.
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