Print Page - Veterans/Military

Hello sentry,

First let me say thank you for your service. I like the idea of this. It is great to be able to get to know others a bit better. I know there are a number of people here that either served in the Military or has family members that did. I hope that they will join in and tell us more about that themselves. Having members from all over the world there may even be some that served in the Military for other nations besides the U.S. and I hope that they join in also as they also deserve that recognition.

I served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1987 and then again in 1990 to 1991. I served three consecutive tours in Viet Nam both inland and on the USS Enterprise CVAN-65 in Yankee Station. I was stationed in Guam, Hawaii, California (various bases), the USS Schofield FFG3, USS Cape Cod AD43 and at a Hospital Unit in Bahrain during Desert Storm. I was a Radioman Chief upon retiring. The Radioman rate no longer exists and is now called Information Technologists which changed shortly after I left service.

My nephew was in the reserves for the Marine Corps and then changed over to the Navy. He was an MP while in the Navy and was called active to serve in Kuwait/Iraq. He just got back home last year.

My youngest son is a driver in a transportation unit of the Army. He is currently scheduled for deployment sometime next year.

My Uncle served in WWII as a driver for the Red Cross trucks delivering supplies and mail and my oldest sisters husband served in the Korean war as an Infantryman.

Hello Sentry and All!

First, I'm happy to find this thread and want to thank everyone - past and present - who have served our country in the Armed Services. I served in the Army during the 60's, but I'm not a Veteran. I was a short-timer in the Air Defense Command and had an MOS that was barely needed in Vietnam. I served most of my life as a police officer.

Second, I respect everyone who serves whether it's in a foreign war or not, but I have a special place in my heart for Veterans of Foreign Wars. Everyone who serves gives and sacrifices, but the Veterans give the most and sacrifice the most - including their very lives. I lost many great friends in Vietnam, and I feel horrible about how returning Veterans were treated. I live at Lawton Fort Sill, Oklahoma, so I have ample opportunities to honor and thank our Veterans returning from Iraq. When I'm physically able, I like to attend their homecoming ceremonies, and I like to thank them personally every chance I get. My son is a two time Veteran of the Iraq war and served on the Aircraft Carrier Nimitz. I remember several letters from him where he expressed guilt that he had things easier than many of his friends on land. He was a Nuclear Engineer and served in one of the Reactor Rooms. The hours and conditions were extremely harsh, but he still felt like he wanted to be with many of his friends on land. For him, 18 to 20 hours a day in over 100 degree temperature wasn't enough. I understand his thoughts, but he and his mates made it possible for many others to do their jobs, get supplies, and perform missions around the clock - 7 days a week. I'm very proud of him. He did everything and more than what was expected of him. He finally understood this. Regardless, he is very proud to have served his country.

In fact, many in every generation with courage and dignity have served their country and families around the world. I give thanks to GOD for the freedoms we enjoy, and I pray that we never take any of them for granted. They were all paid for and preserved with blood, sweat, and tears. The same is true for any country with freedom and liberty. There is always some power wanting to remove that freedom and liberty and replace it with bondage and slavery.

Some will think that I've already been long-winded, so I'll conclude this. The men and women of the Armed Forces - past and current - are my kind of folks, and I give thanks for them! The vast majority of us all feel the same way. Some folks with big mouths and leftist views disrespect our Armed Forces, and they don't speak for the vast majority of us. We love you and respect you! You are our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, relatives, and friends! Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten!

THANK YOU VETERANS!

Hello Pastor Roger,

This has been many years ago, and I probably didn't explain things very well. Regardless, I share your thoughts and appreciate everyone who serves their country in the Armed Services. One of the expressions I remember from many of my friends was "In Theater" - meaning to me that they were there and in harm's way. By the way, I still have many close friends who are suffering from various problems and injuries from the Vietnam War. How they were treated by some when they returned certainly didn't help any. I've never understood why some decided to mistreat, abuse, and disrespect returning Veterans. I also remember that 3 MILLION innocent people DIED because we left Vietnam without finishing that job. I've always compared this to what would have happened had we not finished the job in World War II.

I didn't bring this up to open old wounds, rather to Respect those who served in Vietnam. Many have told me they didn't want to leave in defeat, and they felt that leaving was a slap in the face and a failure to appreciate their sacrifices and the sacrifices of many others. Many told me that they felt their wounds were in vain because of leaving and letting 3 MILLION innocent people get butchered. There is a time when the strong should defend the weak, and this was RIGHT. Please forgive me if I opened old wounds. I really did mention this for the express purpose of saying that I respect, thank, and appreciate Vietnam Veterans. THEY DIDN'T LOSE, AND IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT THAT 3 MILLION PEOPLE DIED WHEN WE LEFT VIETNAM! Our society and government is who failed! I hope and pray this doesn't happen again.

Sometimes and I do mean some, it is good to open old wounds. A reminder of why we did what we did and what we should be doing today. It is when we forget history that we again make the same mistakes all over again. It is for this reason that so many Veterans do what they can to ensure that other Veterans do not get treated the same way. I returned from Viet Nam, not once but three times. I praise God for that daily. I also remember the treatment. Getting off an airplane and walking through the airport amidst a lot of jeers and being spit upon. I still have the ribbons I was wearing that day with the dried up spit still on them hanging on my wall as a reminder. Another time in which I returned on a ship there was a protest just outside the base that prevented my family from getting in to me and keeping me from going out to them. My car windshield was broken that day, my wife had been driving and our kids were in the car and a threat of a bombing on the base by the Weather Underground.

I also remember returning to my home town where many of the people came out of their homes and shops to greet me, shake my hand and thank me. That was the reason that I decided to re-enlist, to make a career of the Military. It was those that appreciated the Military and their freedoms that were unable to serve themselves. That and all those that died when we pulled out of Viet Nam made me decide to do what I could, as little as it may be, to see that it never happened again. It wasn't so much any pride I felt in myself but rather the love that I felt coming from those who were appreciative as well as the hatred from others. It was the hatred that needed to be stopped and those with love that needed to be protected.

It is those that protested and rioted then, supposedly against tyranny, that want to impose tyranny on the people today. It is those that we need to not only pray for but to attempt to stop their actions and their hatred in any legal manner that we can.

A day late, but happy Veteran's Day.

I am proud to know many of you as veterans. And some came before me and I thank God for you, and I thank you for your sacrafice.
I am honored to know many that are currently serving. And as soon as you joined you became a veteran and I thank God too for you. And I thank you for keeping me and my family safe.
I am blessed to know some that may one day serve. And I pray God will protect you and guide you.

It is a blessing to know that God still calls men and women to serve in the armed forces. Jesus said of the centurion that there was no one with greater faith. I believe that faith comes in knowing that what you are fighting for is the right of every living being to be given the opportunity to realize that they too were endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. The rights of life, of liberty, and to pursue happiness in all that they may do.

I also am one who served. I was in the United States Navy from 1989 to 1989. I served during the First Gulf War as well as during the crisis in Bosnia. My first ship was the U.S.S. Scott (DDG-995) and the second time around was the U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CG-47). I pulled two Med Cruises during my 6 years, a North Atlantic where I got my Blue Nose, and a dozen or so Carib runs doing drug ops with the Coast Guard.

Pastor Roger,

What you just wrote is powerful and speaks volumes. It's very close to the descriptions given by many other people. Many were and are Christians, and their motivation was PURE. They were saving the lives of innocent people and trying to stop MASS BUTCHERS like Hitler. There was no shame in their motivation. They COULD HAVE AND WOULD HAVE WON with the proper support from home, and 3 MILLION innocents would have been saved. There are still many unanswered questions, but I simply want to stop and say that our finest were abused and denied VICTORY! A significant number of people like Hanoi Jane are still with us today, and it appears that our government could pretty easily turn into a limp-wristed wimp. The cost of such horrendous errors involves dignity and honor down to the core backbone of this nation, and we should also know that the end result will probably be a massive number of innocent lives lost. The innocent lives lost could easily be our own families and neighbors these days. We can't afford to have a demoralized, undermanned, under-equipped, under-funded, or under-supported Armed Forces in this day and age. They must be given respect, dignity, victory, and everything a grateful nation should give them if we want our own to survive. There hasn't been another 9-11, and we should all know why. We can be assured that the terrorist still want to come get us, but they have been kept too busy every time they pop their heads out of a cave. Their numbers have been decimated, and the terrorists have been demoralized with relentless pressure and attacks. This is the only way to defeat them, and they are being defeated. They will be hunted down and defeated unless our government makes another HORRENDOUS ERROR! The terrorists want our government to give them a break, some breathing space, and time to regroup. It would be insane to give them what they want! A lengthy record indicates they are of the type who NEVER keep their promises, so attempted diplomacy is also insane! SADLY, OUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING MANY INSANE THINGS THESE DAYS, AND WE SHOULDN'T HOLD OUR BREATH IN THE HOPES THAT IT WON'T GET WORSE!

Quote from: Jon-Marc on November 12, 2008, 11:07:41 AM

I was in the Air Force a long time ago and wish I had stayed in and retired. I was a Sergeant when I got out. I liked my work but not some of the people--especially the supervisors. I had the mistaken idea that as a civilian I could just pack up and leave if I didn't like my job. However, by the time I got dissatisfied in my civilian job, it was too late; I had too much time invested. Hind sight is always 20/20.

Whether civilian or Military job there will always be difficulties of that nature. I was considered a rebel by my Military Chain of Command yet every time there was a difficult job to do they always called on me to do it and always set me up to train others because even though I may have bucked the system they knew that I would get the job done and it would be done right in the end.

Brother, I thank you for your service.

Quote from: Brother Jerry on November 12, 2008, 10:11:47 AM

I also am one who served. I was in the United States Navy from 1989 to 1989. I served during the First Gulf War as well as during the crisis in Bosnia. My first ship was the U.S.S. Scott (DDG-995) and the second time around was the U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CG-47). I pulled two Med Cruises during my 6 years, a North Atlantic where I got my Blue Nose, and a dozen or so Carib runs doing drug ops with the Coast Guard.

??? Your dates (one year) and time served don't add up. ;)

I have read each one of the replies below several times. I remember as if were this morning leaving VietNam, the feeling of getting off the plane and hearing the words, the anger, the hatred. The ballons filled with urine and other stuff hitting me as I tried to get to the terminal. You are right Pastor Roger, sometimes it is good to open old wounds but I can truthfully say some wounds never seem to heal. I felt so proud to serve my country, just as my father had done and generations before me but what had I done that was so wrong? This was my question. I didn't want to be there, I didn't want to live in fear twenty four hours a day, I didn't want to see what I saw. But I did and now I have to live with this as do so many more. I tell very few people things like this, it seems like it just won't come out but just reading what you all have written has opened up something inside of me. To know that there are those all around the world who really do care and really do appreciate the sacrifice. I have a love of my life who has given me more strength to deal with this than I ever thought anyone could give me and I thank God for her and I thank God for bringing me home to my family. Without Him I wouldn't be here. I am sorry if this seems out of place but it just felt like I had to do this. Thank you all for your love and respect.

Hello sentry,

No it is not out of place. We are told in scripture that we are to help carry each others burdens and to pray for one another. If we don not open up to others then others cannot know how to help nor how to pray.

For anyone to say that they were not afraid would be foolish. How a person dealt with that fear is what made the biggest difference. I gave it over to God and kept it in my mind why I was there. Irregardless of what others said about me did not matter as I had already confirmed it in both my mind and heart with God that I was doing the right thing and I would do it again today were I able.

Yes, there are many around the world that do appreciate what we have done and what we are doing still today. Although you won't here of it in the media there are many in Iraq and Afghanistan that appreciate our being there just as there were in Viet Nam.

Hello Sentry,

Brother, what you said is completely proper, and everyone needs to hear from you and all of our Veterans. Our Veterans have earned and deserve our greatest respect, THANKS, and love. I'll be brief this time. THANKS BROTHER FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, and this is to all of our Veterans and their families who have sacrificed and given so much for all of us. For those who didn't come home, there is no greater love than to lay down your life for others.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 3:7-21 NASB But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

I want to say thank you to all that recognize the Veterans and active duty Military. Without people like you supporting us all, things would have been much worse than it has. Your support does make a difference and it does definitely matter.

Quote from: Jon-Marc on November 17, 2008, 12:52:23 PM

The name "Sentry" reminds me of the night I spent on guard duty at the back gate to the base. It was bitter cold, and I was not as warmly dressed as I would have liked. I was alone all night and never saw another person. Talk about being bored! ;D

I remember a lot of those kind of days. There were many days that I had to stand watch on the outside of a ship in all kinds of weather. The icy winters of Alaska in only the Navy dress blues was kinda rough to take especially when one didn't bring long johns on the trip. It was just as tough in the hot, wet days of Viet Nam or the really hot, dry ones of the ME deserts when in full battle dress.

It is these things that we should remember that our Troops are still going through especially in areas that they are also risking their lives just to be there and unlike some may think they are in fact doing so for all of us.

Brothers and Sisters,

I must also make one more comment. I am convinced that people in especially this part of the world take PEACE, SAFETY, FREEDOM, AND LIBERTY for granted. I think we are all guilty of not being thankful enough EVERY DAY TO GOD for Blessing us and to our Armed Forces for every drop of blood and sweat in securing and preserving our way of life. FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE! Freedom always has a terribly high price! This price must be paid to remain FREE! I am beginning to think that some people don't understand what it means to be FREE! The vast majority of us have never experienced slavery, torture, and abuse - SO, we can only imagine what it would be like to lose FREEDOM. Even the smallest FREEDOM was paid for by someone. As an example, there are places in the world where I could be executed for posting a message mentioning THANKS TO GOD! Mentioning the HOLY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST is even worse because HE will END evil and the devil. Everyone, including non-Christians, have a huge list of things to be thankful for in this part of the world. Sadly, there might be a time soon when we find out what it's like to lose our FREEDOM! As Christians, JESUS CHRIST has set us FREE from the curse of sin and death! In reality, GOD is the ONLY CERTAINTY AND ABSOLUTE GUARANTOR OF EVERY PROMISE HE'S EVER MADE TO US! In terms of mankind, we all need to learn how to properly appreciate those who have given us so much with so little in return. A heart-felt THANKS would be nice for just a START!

Well I too must make one last comment, I mean after-all I started this ;D. I couldn't agree more - FREEDOM ISN'T FREE. It cost a lot through out our history. The war front had it's blood but on the home front, a lot was given also. Many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives gave so much and they shared in the pain. A broken heart is a wound that heals very slowly and sometimes not at all. We need the comfort of a loving family, which I personally have felt through this thread here on the forum. Christ gives us His love through His word. The comfort, joy and peace that He offers cannot be glorified enough. He gives us strength when we need it the most. A lot of times for a lot of us, it is in places and from family like all of you. From the bottom of my heart to all of you - Thank You
Love in Christ
Monte

Brothers and Sisters,

We had a wonderful family gathering for Thanksgiving on a little farm about 50 miles from us. It was definitely a beautiful time in the LORD, especially considering that the entire family is SAVED. The age range was 6 weeks to 87 years old in those attending. We've had some losses in our extended family since last year, but we know that they are in HEAVEN. Even the little ones are being taught what it means to be THANKFUL, and they are all being brought up in the LORD. As far as I'm concerned, just being brought up in the LORD makes a child very fortunate. The Bible tells us this is a parental duty for GOD since the child was given to us by GOD, but it's also a matter of love. The children know it and they feel it. It's a nice feeling watching the tiny ones with heavy expectations that they will become strong Christians when they get older. We should also know that things never work right unless GOD helps us, so we should all pray often that GOD helps us in raising our children.

I do give THANKSGIVING every day, but I don't get to see most of my extended family very frequently, especially in one place. We got to do a large list of things that can only be done in a free country with religious freedoms as one of the priorities. It was simply a beautiful time to give THANKS and reflect on all the Blessings that GOD has given us. Many of us getting to gather in the same place at the same time was an extra bonus, and everyone traveled to and from the gathering in safety. Our son is still here with us for a short period of time, and we've had a ball. Rich or poor, we all need to discern what our Blessings from GOD are and especially give THANKS for rescuing us from the curse of sin and death.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable GIFT, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour Forever!

John 6:35-40 NASB Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. "But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

I recieved these from friends in New York and thought they are great tributes to the Veterans.

Mike Schafernocker, Vietnam 1968

Look God,
I have never spoken to you,
But now I want to say,
How do you do?

You see God,
They told me you didn’t exist,
And like a fool,
I believed all this.

Last night from a shell hole,
I saw your sky,
I figured right then,
They had told me a lie.

Had I taken time,
To see the things you’ve made,
I’d have known they weren’t calling,
A spade, a spade.

I wonder God,
If you’d take my hand?
Somehow I feel,
That you’ll understand.

Funny I had to come,
To this hellish place,
Before I had time,
To see your face.

Well I guess there isn’t,
Much more to say,
But I’m sure glad God,
I meet you today.

I guess the zero hour,
Will soon be here,
But I’m not afraid,
Since I know you’re near.
The signal, well God,
I’ll have to go,
I like you a lot,
So I want you to know.

Look now this will be,
A horrible fight,
Who knows I may come,
To your house tonight.

Though I wasn’t friendly,
To you before,
I wonder God,
If you’d wait at the door?

Look I’m crying,
Me, shedding tears!
I wish I had known you,
These many years.

Well God, I'll have to go,
Good-bye,
Strange now since I’ve meet you,
I’m not afraid to die.

Copyright © 1968 by
Michael E Schafernocker
Aviation Ordinanceman 2nd Class
U.S. Navy Seawolf

Born: Feb 28th, 1949
Died: April 28, 1969

[

T'was the night before Christmas……..a Soldier’s Parody

T'was the night before Christmas,
He lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of
Plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney
With presents to give,
And to see just who
In this home did live.

I looked all about,
A strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle,
Just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures
Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought
Came through my mind.

For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
Once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured
A United States soldier.

Was this the hero
Of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
The floor for a bed?

I realized the families
That I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers
Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,
The children would play,
And grownups would celebrate
A bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom
Each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers,
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas eve
In a land far from home.

The very thought
Brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
And started to cry.

The soldier awakened
And I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is my choice,

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
My life I defend,
My country, my corps."

The soldier rolled over
And soon drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still
And we both shivered
From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave
On that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of honor
So willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,
With a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
And to all a good night."

This poem was written by a marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

[/center]

Quote from: Jemidon2004 on December 21, 2008, 04:21:46 PM

I am in the Air Force. I have been in for a year now. I am stationed in Germany and I do stuff that I can't really talk about. I don't know when I will be deployed, but the AF is fun. I'm proud of my service, and glad that i've been given a chance to come overseas. Yes we're not with family during the Holiday season, but I got my wife with me so that's really all that matters right now. So You can count me as one of those who are currently in. Laterz

Joshua

Hello Brother Joshua,

I pray for you often and sincerely appreciate your service. I'm glad to hear that your wife gets to be with you on this tour. I know there are some tours that the family must be left behind, and I can only imagine how hard this is. This would be especially true for families with children. If you remember, I was born and raised in Lawton Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and this is where I've lived all of my life. So, many of my friends have been and are active duty or retired Military. I'll just say that they are my kind of people, and I'm happy to have them as friends and neighbors.

Love In Christ,
Tom

John 1:14-17 NASB And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

I to am a retired Vet having being in the Army as a Military Police in the 82nd Airborne Division. I also served in the local National Guard, but even at my age I would go back in and do what I can for my country. I think if there is enough of man and woman that would or could enlist for 60,90 or longer day's nothing but to teach class it would be a big help to our country since we have a shortage of troops. I would like to go back in and preach at some of the base's but then again I wold get kick out for preaching his name Jesus. I was ask to help out at the local VA Hospital as a minister but they told me what to say and not to say. I was sorry to have to turn down the troops but if I could not tell how God came unto my life then the VA don't need me.

Quote from: sentry on January 03, 2009, 12:07:51 AM

Amazing isn't it. The right words at the right time. Now I wonder who made that possible ::).

Amen, just as we are promised.

We don't have a VA hospital close by, just a clinic. It is a good 2 to 3 hr drive to the nearest VA hospital so I don't make it there very often. I have never been a volunteer, paid or not, in any official sort of way but I have still volunteered my time to the Troops and their families when I am able and in a manner that I am able to do. It is a most worthy cause. There are many that don't want to hear anything of Jesus but as we are told in scripture to do, just shake the dust off the shoes and go on to those that are willing to listen. Actually it is surprising at times just how many are actually interested in hearing and discussing Jesus in such a manner. In fact many come to me and start the conversation themselves.

Brothers,

I was in the Army in the late 60s, and they didn't have any of those problems. It makes me angry that FREEDOM OF RELIGION has been REMOVED from those serving our country. There are all kinds of reports of Chaplains being restricted about what they can say and what they can't - even when the audience wants to hear the FULL-STRENGTH GOSPEL.

Maybe they need to put signs on the Chapel entrance, "If JESUS CHRIST offends you - KEEP OUT!" I don't know how everything works in the various branches of the Service now, but I know that individuals and groups can worship however they want to. I assume that all of the restrictions come to play when the service is Officially held by a Chaplain. My son was in the Navy for 6 years and said they just needed to use common sense (i.e. completely voluntary, unofficial). I wish that I had asked him more questions now. I would like to know if Official Chaplains have any freedoms with the right circumstances. I know that someone can't order a person to attend services, and I assume that an announcement of what kind of service was going to be given would relieve some potential problems. People not wanting to attend that type of service would have to be welcome to leave and not participate. Am I close?

On the other side of the coin, I'm aware of many voluntary, unofficial actions of worship where folks said nobody tried to regulate anything.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

As some of you already know my son was just in basic and AIT. He told me that a local Baptist church provided transportation to those that wished to go to their church. It was completely voluntary and those that did not wish to go could instead go to one of the numerous chapels on the base or could go to the base USO instead. It was their choice.

I was able to attend graduation services for both basic and AIT. The Chaplain invited those that believe to a group prayer and asked that those that don't believe to give a moment of silence during that time in honor of the service of all men and women both present and prior. At the AIT graduation, which was held in one of the bases chapels, the Chaplain did mention Jesus several times and did end the prayer in the name of Jesus.

I saw and heard people of all beliefs, including those that do not believe in a God at all, and they all gave honor according to their own beliefs. No arguing, no hatred, no disagreeing. Just plain respect for each other.

THANKS PASTOR ROGER!

I'm beginning to think that the big problems we read about are instigated by isolated individuals. Further, they probably choose high profile locations for the greatest news impact. We already know that the ACLU also goes after folks who try to exclude those isolated trouble makers - supposedly that they suffer from being excluded from the rest of the group. The ACLU wants to eat their cake and have it to. I'm continually amazed at the ridiculous antics of the ACLU and the damage they have been allowed to do to our country. It is my FIRM opinion that the members of our Armed Services should be the LAST to suffer any infringement or removal of RIGHTS, FREEDOMS, AND LIBERTIES. After all, it's their sweat, blood, and tears that secured and preserved these things we hold dear. They shouldn't need a staff of lawyers to determine whether they can exercise the things that they secure and preserve for the rest of us.

In the meantime, I would hope that all of us appreciate what they do for us and our country. I realize that won't include the ACLU and other dung-beetle types.

ChristiansUnite Forums

Fellowship => You name it!! => Topic started by: sentry on November 11, 2008, 08:22:43 PM