FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ A GREAT MARINE ~ Oct 1 2006

chaplaincare.navy.mil ^ | Chaplain Mitch Schranz

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

 

 

A GREAT MARINE

Several years ago as the H & S Battalion Chaplain at MCB, Camp Lejeune, I visited the people in the different work spaces, including the rather large main post office.
One day a little conversation took place with young Marine Lance Corporal.
This unplanned encounter has remained with me, and it seems worth passing on...

The Lance Corporal was standing by a very large sack of mail. His job, every day, six days a week for many hours was to sort the mail from that large sack and place the letters into smaller sacks, depending upon their destination. He explained his job, and I asked him if he ever gets bored. "Chaplain," he said," this is all I do. Just sort all these endless piles of letters. Sometimes I can't take it anymore." I was drawn into the young Marine's lament and his life's drama started to sound interesting. He continued, "Then, just as it gets to be overwhelming, I'm holding a letter in my hand and I begin to think: Maybe this letter is going from a Marine wife in Jacksonville all the way to her husband on deployment in the Med. He's really misses her and is homesick on that big ship. Then he gets the letter and suddenly he feels much better. The next letter in my hand, I think: Maybe it's from a little boy to his Daddy in Somalia. He drew a picture with crayons to cheer his Dad and put it in the envelope. Each letter makes me wonder because this one may change a life for the better, or at least bring a smile to a lonely Marine or Sailor."

I was shaken by the majesty this young Lance Corporal displayed and said this to him: "Young man, you possess a wisdom rarely found in people who are triple your years. You have more than wisdom, though, you have character and maturity. Indeed you have found the secret to happiness in life. Whatever you wish to achieve, it will undoubtedly one day be yours...it would be a great honor if you would allow me to shake you hand..."

Whenever we face frustrating moments or disappointments in our work day, let's all remember that young Lance Corporal and follow his heroic and inspiring example!

"Give thy servant, therefore, an understanding heart."

King Solomon's prayer in First Kings


Chaplain Mitch Schranz

 

[shezza]

Thanks for today's thread, Tonk, and the reminder that no matter how seemingly insignificant our task, it means something special to somebody.

God bless you this first day of October. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

[STARWISE]

Psalm 16

8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! You reveal your majesty in the heavens above!

8:2 From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy.

8:3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place,

8:4 Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them,

8:5 and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankind honor and majesty;

8:6 you appoint them to rule over your creation; you have placed everything under their authority,

8:7 including all the sheep and cattle, as well as the wild animals,

8:8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the currents21 of the seas.

8:9 O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!

Sarah Brightman, Enya ~~ Deliver Me

[shezza]

Welcome Home to your son and his buddies! Glad to see the pics of them safe and sound.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Beautiful chapel, STAR....stunning. Thanks for the song and the Psalm.

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

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.

[Lady Jag]

Beautiful post!!

[STARWISE]

Hi Kathy ... you're welcome. I hope you're HOME .. ;)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[Kathy in Alaska]

I am today...a couple hours work tomorrow and I will be ready to take on Monday. d:o)

[SoldierDad]

I would like to add my thanks to all the families who have a son, daughter, father, mother, uncle, aunt, cousin, brother, sister, etc, who are fighting in the WOT.

[Kathy in Alaska]

What a great welcome home.....and the Patriot Guard leading them....an appropriate homecoming.

We will never forget the treatment our Vietnam Vets received. We cannot let it happen again. Thanks to your son and all our military men and women, past and present, for helping keep us safe.

[STARWISE]

Good, Kath ... hope it's enjoyable.

[STARWISE]

Thank you, LJ .... hope Saturday was good for ya .. ;)

[El Gran Salseron]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for our troops, veterans, families, allies, friends, and Canteeners
for a safe and peaceful week ahead.

[SoldierDad]

God Bless you for your prayers for our troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

The Lord's Prayer

[Kathy in Alaska]

Mahalia Jackson ~ The 23rd Psalm

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Morning, Kathy. How's it going?

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your contuined service to our country.