USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Sunday Chapel, Prayers for the Military ~ April 06 2003

USO Canteen Chaplin grantswank and coteblanche

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

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FReepers from the USO Canteen, The Foxhole, and The Poetry Branch
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

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Welcome to The Canteen Chapel

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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Courage to Kneel

Within the columns and squads
My soul lays bare to God.
My body, wrapped in battle dress
Is hard, yet wearied by the stress.
And I wonder?
What portion of people are driven so
With detailed diligence?
I do not know.

My body is made worthy of its country.
My mind worthy of its God.
Will to do.
Skill to hear.
Strength to move.
Courage to kneel.

Within the columns and squads
The souls, lay bare with anticipation.
The soldiers wrapped in battle dress,
To aid the hurting and the stressed.
And you wonder?
What sort of servants are driven so;
Chaplains assistants.
Do you not know?

SPC Gary Carter

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The Chaplain's Corner

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

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CLIMBING CALVARY

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It was that stark bony look. Calvary was smitten. Its face was just as we had been told in Scripture: rocky and dented with eye sockets, protruded with a nose-shape and vacant as a stare of death.

Along with other tourists, we trudged up the mountain, cameras in hand.

Three scrubby trees were at the very top. There Priscilla sat on some twisted tall grass spikes as I focused her in direct center of the photo. I imagined that that is where the crosses would have been punched in God's otherwise good earth.

It was a hot day.

It was time to leave the Place of the Skull--Golgotha.

In the valley was the Garden Tomb. We meandered toward it, in no hurry, sensing a reverential cast to all of nature. Greenery was everywhere. Bundles of flowering buds peered up to greet us. Sunshine filled all the gaps.

Slowly I made my way to Joseph of Arimathea's empty gravesite. It was carved out of the hillside. A trough had been dug in front of its beautifully crude stone door. Inside that trough the weighty rock slab would have been rolled to seal shut the entrance. No entrance. No exit. Tight. Any corpse inside was there for good, or whatever.

Robbers would have stolen from the tombs if the stone had not been secured.

I walked inside. There was no rock slab now to prohibit. The morning air welcomed my back to keep me moving till inside that resting-place. My eyes adjusted to see the remains of shelves where bodies would have been positioned.

There I pictured His young frame wrapped in clothes, spices tucked in about the sorry piece. A separate cloth would have been wound about his head.

I suppose there were others making the same interior pilgrimage as I. But I don't recall any shadows but my own.

Timeless. It seemed as if I had left time and had no desire to return.

But time called out its practicality. With that, I was in the sun again, milling about the many as we hunkered down on rocks and patches of grass to receive the sacrament.

There was no reason to chat. No one wanted to chat. There was too much going on inside--not so much noise but voices from another time and friends from another culture than ours.

There was simply no way around it. One could not get to the dawn of the first day without going through the trudge up Skull's Mount, then making it into the valley where an empty borrowed tomb stood awaiting the gaping and the saved.

Sometimes in spring when I walk about the Lakes Region, I get that same feeling from the sun, especially when near a garden.

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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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A Charge to Keep

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W.H.D. Koerner

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A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master's will!

Charles Wesley

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President Bush speaks about the painting and hymn
that have inspired him.

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"Hanging in my office is a beautiful oil painting by W.H.D. Koerner entitled "A Charge to Keep". The painting, inspired by the hymn, pictures a horseman determinedly charging up what appears to be a steep & rough trail.

The painting and hymn have been an inspiration for me & for members of my staff. "A Charge to Keep" calls us to our highest and best. What adds complete life to the painting for me is the message of Charles Wesley that we serve One greater than ourselves. It speaks of purpose and direction. In many hymnals, it is associated with a Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 4:2: "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."

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A Prayer for the United States

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Translation:

He who gives victory to kings and dominion to
princes, whose reign is a reign for all eternity,
who saved David, his Servant, from the evil sword,
who made a road through the sea and a path through
mighty waters, may He bless, guard, protect,
aid, exalt, make great and raise on high
The President of the United States George W. Bush

May the King of all Kings in his mercy, keep him
alive and guard him from every distress, grief and
trouble.May he lead nations beneath his feet and
cause his enemies to fall down before him, and may
he have success in all that he shall undertake. May
the King of all kings in his mercy, place compassion
into his heart and into the hearts of all his
advisers and ministers, to deal kindly with us and
with all of Israel. In his days and in our days may
Judah be redeemed and Israel dwell securely, and may
the redeemer come to Zion, may this be His will, and
let us say, Amen.

Thank you Alouette

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Music from Israel

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A Sabbath Song..........May the Temple Be Built

Shalom Medley .........He That Keeps Israel

On The Sabbath Day ...........They Will Rejoice in Thy Kingdom

(You will need Windows Media Player for these songs)

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Songs of Israel
(over an hour of music)

Listen Here

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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

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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.

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"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

During his presidential campaign, George W. Bush said he'd been 'called'
to seek higher office and talked openly about 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 a Sunday

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Eternal Father (organ)....Joyful We Adore Thee (organ)

The Hallelujah Chorus ...... Ave Maria (Kiri Te Kawana)

How Great Thou Art (Elvis).....Just A Closer Walk (Anne Murray)......

Church in the Wildwood (Charlie Pride).....Faith Like That (Anchormen)

In The Garden (Loretta Lynn).......Our God is an Awesome God (Carman)

Take My Hand (Mahalia Jackson).....We Shall Behold Him (The Ruppes)

Where Were You? (Alan Jackson).....The Old Rugged Cross (The Statler Brothers)

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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)

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Jesus Loves Me

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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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Click on graphic below to join in
as Kate Smith sings......

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[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.
Please guide the people of Free Republic to
The USO Canteen Post Office
So they can e-mail a service man or woman today.
AMEN

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Prayer originally posted by Kathy in Alaska

God Bless our troops, families, and Canteeners. God Bless our Canadian, Israeli, British, Kiwi, and Aussie
Brothers and Sisters in arms. And for our other Allies that I didn't mention as well.

Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military. Prayers from all denominations are needed.

                                          

Troop Prayer Thread 4
Posted by TEXOKIE

Fasting and Prayers for our Military
and the suffering People of Iraq
Posted by patriciaruth

USO CANTEEN FREEPER STYLE MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

[Soaring Feather]

Canteen Blessing
for the Troops

May your heart be calm
your voice strong
steady of foot
radiant of smile
confident and willing
knowing you are safe
Blessings upon you...

bentfeather

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Please pray for them.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for adding your prayers.
God Bless You both

[Aeronaut]

Good morning to all. Thank you for your weekly message Chaplain. I truly appreciate your faith. God bless you.

[grantswank]

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Good Lord's Day Morning, Tonk.

We have much to praise heaven about!!!

May we come to the good Lord with hearts full of joy, also souls filled with intercession for those in grief due to coalition members who paid the supreme sacrifice.

chap grant

<//><


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[grantswank]

Friend,

Blessings upon you and yours.

And now I share with you a poem gift, hopefully light and easy on the nerves.


THE SUN IS PLAYING GAMES WITH ME

The sun is playing games with me
For when I sit under its eye
It stays with me just long enough
To tantalize, to socialize

And then it moves so gradually
Away from me. Then shadows spy
To sit a spell. But in my notes
I’d ‘pointment only with the sun.

chap grant

<//><

[grantswank]

Greetings, friend.

You prayed this morning:

"Guide our President and all those he leads. . ."

Thank you and AMEN.

chap grant

<//><

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Know that your work each week in providing us with the Chapel is appreciated by many.
It is important that at least once a week we "speak" with THE Spiritual Commander in Chief.
For it is HIM that hears us all.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Good Morning Brother

[Aeronaut]

Good morning to you my FRiend.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Bless our troops, families, and Canteeners..."

Thank You for providing us with this prayer each week AND your daily prayers in the Canteen.
God Bless You Patriot

[Soaring Feather]

Good Morning, Chap Grant.

Thank you for the wonderful message of promise this day.

Blessings on you and your house.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody !!

70 degrees as I post this, goin' to ~80 and Thunderstorms in our forecast. BOOM ! BOOM ! BOOM !

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[firewalk]

Good morning everyone

[MeekOneGOP]

	U.S.: Baghdad suffering heavy Iraqi casualties
	AP U.S. troops smash a statue of Saddam Hussein. Between 2,000 and 3,000 Iraqi fighters were killed in a show-of-force foray into Baghdad by American armored vehicles, the U.S. Central Command said Sunday. Other developments

[aomagrat]

Today's classic warship, USS Boxer (CV-21)

Ticonderoga class aircraft carrier
Displacement. 27,100 t.
Lenght. 888'
Beam. 147'6"
Draft. 28'7"
Speed. 33 k.
Complement. 3448
Armament. 12 5"; 32 40mm; 46 20mm; 82 Aircraft

The USS Boxer (CV-21) was launched 14 December 1944 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. Newport News, Va.; sponsored by Miss Ruth D. Overton daughter of the Senator from Louisiana and commissioned 16 April 1945, Captain D. F. Smith in command.

Completed too late to take part in World War II, Boxer joined the Pacific Fleet at San Diego in August 1945. From September 1945 to 23 August 1946 she operated out of Guam as flagship of TF 77 in the Western Pacific. During this tour she visited Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines and China. She returned to San Francisco 10 September 1946 and operated off the west coast engaged in normal peacetime duty until departing for the Far East 11 January 1950. After service with the 7th Fleet in the Far East during the first half of 1950, she returned to San Diego, arriving 25 June.

With the outbreak of the Korean conflict she was pressed into service to carry planes to the fighting. During 14-22 July 1950 she made a record crossing of the Pacific, 8 1/2 days, with 150 Air Force and Navy planes and a thousand troops. On her return trip (27 July-4 August), she cut the record to 7 days, 10 hours, and 36 minutes. After fast repairs she departed for the Far East 24 August, this time to join TF 77 in giving air support to the troops. Her planes supported the landing at Inchon (15 September 1950) and other ground action until November, when she departed for the west coast and overhaul.

Boxer departed San Diego for her second Korean tour 2 March 1951. Again she operated with TF 77 supporting the ground troops. She returned to San Francisco 24 October 1951. Sailing 8 February 1952 for her third tour in Korea, Boxer again served with TF 77. During 23-24 June her planes took part in the heavy strikes against the North Korean hydro-electric complex and on 5 August she had nine men killed and two seriously injured in a fire which swept the hangar deck. After emergency repairs at Yokosuka, Japan (11-23 August), Boxer returned to duty off Korea. She arrived at San Francisco 25 September and underwent repairs until March 1953.

The carrier departed for the Far East 30 March 1953 and went into action a month later. She took part in the final actions of the Korean conflict and remained in Asiatic waters until November.

Following her last Korean War deployment, which extended into the post-Armistice period, Boxer served as a Seventh Fleet attack carrier (CVA) on two more cruises, in 1954 and in 1955-56. Converted to an anti-submarine warfare aircraft carrier (CVS) in early 1956, she made a final Western Pacific tour in that role during 1956-57.

Later in 1957, Boxer operated briefly as an experimental assault helicopter aircraft carrier, an indication of things to come for her, the Navy and the Marine Corps. In 1958, she was flagship for Operation "Hardtack", a nuclear weapons test program in the Central Pacific. Late in that year, she was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet as an "interim amphibious assault ship" and was formally redesignated LPH-4 on 30 January 1959.

For the next decade, Boxer and her "main battery" of Marines and transport helicopters were vital components of the United States' amphibious warfare capabilities. She mainly operated in the Caribbean area, including participation in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the 1965 Dominican Republic intervention. She deployed to European waters in late 1964 to participate in Operation "Steel Pike". In mid-1965, Boxer served as an aircraft transport, carrying more than two-hundred Army helicopters and airplanes to Vietnam as part of the deployment of the First Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). After serving as a spacecraft recovery vessel in early 1966, she made a second trip to Vietnam, this time carrying Marine Corps aircraft.

Boxer decommissioned in December 1969 and was sold for scrapping in February 1971.

Boxer received eight battle stars for her service off Korea.

USS Boxer was named for HMS Boxer, captured off Maine by USS Enterprise during the War of 1812.

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On a personal note, I will be out of town on business for about a week. (no April Fools this time) Please try to get along with out me.