I am blessed. Purim reminds me of this truth.
There's more Hamentachen, it just didn't make it into the picture.
Bruce (and Sugano) took all the pictures and I know they'd be upset if I did not appear in any of them.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Purim
Purim this year was amazing. We had a wonderful celebration with costumes and food and I am so happy to be surrounded by such an outstanding community. We had our Purim players, way too much Hamentachen (I am still eating them) and a great time catching up with each other.
I am blessed. Purim reminds me of this truth.
There's more Hamentachen, it just didn't make it into the picture.
Servant
Esther and Mordechai
Bigtan and Terash
Bruce (and Sugano) took all the pictures and I know they'd be upset if I did not appear in any of them.
I am blessed. Purim reminds me of this truth.
There's more Hamentachen, it just didn't make it into the picture.
Bruce (and Sugano) took all the pictures and I know they'd be upset if I did not appear in any of them.
Iwo Jima / Iwo To
The image of the four Marines and one Navy corpsman is the first thing that comes to mind when I say the words, "Iwo Jima" now renamed Iwo To. For marines, visiting Iwo Jima (sulfur island) is a pilgrimage they all try to make and take sand from the beach. I was honored this past week, to visit this sacred place that means so much to the marines I serve.
Iwo bears the scars of perhaps the bloodiest battle in the Pacific. You can see the "pill boxes" the kilometers of tunnels, trenches that the Japanese made, planning for years of the American invasion for the airstrip on Iwo. The death toll was the greatest for such a short period of fighting, 36 days. Of the 21,000 Japanese on Iwo, only 1,000 remained while the US forces of 26,000 lost 7,000.
All of these statistics only helped me appreciate the battle that much more while humping it (hiking) with my 7 colleagues from H&S BN (Headquarters and Services Battalion). The entire island was a battlefield. When I closed my eyes, I could hear the echos of the fighting in the wind, the scars on the rock formations I hiked past, every step, a reminder of the suffering and fighting that took place.
Though we did not get to go up to Mt. Suribachi, we did have our own memorial down at the beach after everyone had the chance to collect some sand.
"Heavenly Father,
We stand together on sacred ground, walking in the footsteps of marines who came before us, whose acts of bravery and courage are hard to duplicate.
We are here because of their heroism.
On this hallowed ground, we mourn the loss of life and the need for war at all.
We remember and honor the bravery and commitment our countrymen showed in the face of their adversaries.
We are inspired by their sacrifices, honored to pick up their packs and carry on.
Semper Fidelis.
Amen. "
Below: Mt. Suribachi
Mt. Suribachi
Tunnels dug into the rock
Pre-hump picture with Captain Logan
Post hump down to the beach with Captain Hull
Iwo bears the scars of perhaps the bloodiest battle in the Pacific. You can see the "pill boxes" the kilometers of tunnels, trenches that the Japanese made, planning for years of the American invasion for the airstrip on Iwo. The death toll was the greatest for such a short period of fighting, 36 days. Of the 21,000 Japanese on Iwo, only 1,000 remained while the US forces of 26,000 lost 7,000.
All of these statistics only helped me appreciate the battle that much more while humping it (hiking) with my 7 colleagues from H&S BN (Headquarters and Services Battalion). The entire island was a battlefield. When I closed my eyes, I could hear the echos of the fighting in the wind, the scars on the rock formations I hiked past, every step, a reminder of the suffering and fighting that took place.
Though we did not get to go up to Mt. Suribachi, we did have our own memorial down at the beach after everyone had the chance to collect some sand.
"Heavenly Father,
We stand together on sacred ground, walking in the footsteps of marines who came before us, whose acts of bravery and courage are hard to duplicate.
We are here because of their heroism.
On this hallowed ground, we mourn the loss of life and the need for war at all.
We remember and honor the bravery and commitment our countrymen showed in the face of their adversaries.
We are inspired by their sacrifices, honored to pick up their packs and carry on.
Semper Fidelis.
Amen. "
And midst all the suffering that went on here on this beach and across the island, beauty is here too.
Tunnels dug into the rock
Pre-hump picture with Captain Logan
Post hump down to the beach with Captain Hull
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Naturalization - updated with pictures
I am giving the invocation and benediction for the Naturalization Ceremony for all of those who joined the military and are now becoming naturalized citizens.
It has made me think about what being a citizen of the United States from birth means to me and more importantly - what do I say in such an important moment in someone else's life?
I sat with the BN ADJ, Bavarian by birth, American by choice. He spoke of his journey and he helped shape the blessings I wrote. I pray my words are a worthy offering for this ceremony.
INVOCATION
It has made me think about what being a citizen of the United States from birth means to me and more importantly - what do I say in such an important moment in someone else's life?
I sat with the BN ADJ, Bavarian by birth, American by choice. He spoke of his journey and he helped shape the blessings I wrote. I pray my words are a worthy offering for this ceremony.
INVOCATION
Let us pray.
Source of life, we ask that you bless this sacred time with your presence, as we prepare to embrace our new brothers and sisters.
We pause to reflect on how we got to this moment.
For some of us, it was at birth. For others, it was a decision and a journey and a dream.
We are humbled before You, by the commitment of those who stand here today.
Like Abraham leaving his home, God, they have walked a unique path of faith -. That the ultimate reward was worth the journey Like Abraham, they are not giving up their past or their history, for those things made them who they are - but instead, they are choosing to become something greater.
May You sanctify the oaths they take today, that the words they are going to speak, bring them blessings and joy.
Amen.
BENEDICTION
Let us Pray.
We are honored to have stood with you as we watched the embodiment of what the United States stands for -. In action Opening her arms to all who dreamed of a better world.
God, watch over our new brothers and sisters, that the devotion they found in their souls for a country and people and ideals they were not born to, let their hearts beat strong, every step in their life's adventure.
May they be the example for us, reminding us not to take our citizenship for granted, reminding us all what being an American stands for, what we fight for and ultimately what we represent in the world.
Ultimate Weaver, remind us that this country is made strong by the different strands in the tapestry that make up this great land and that each new cord adds strength and never weaken it.
Amen.
Supporting the USO
My first experience with the USO was on my way from Chaplain School back to seminary. I had a 6 hour wait at the airport. I had no-where to go with my bulky sea bags. And then I walked into the USO in the Columbia , SC airport.
When I first entered, I was greeted by a veteran and another volunteer, asking me what I needed, what they could get me and what this USO had to offer.
It was a haven.
Since then, when I travel and there is a layover, I find the USO. It is my "home away from home," where I am always greeted with a kind word, sometimes a hug and love.
So it was no surprise that when I came onto active duty that I would find a way to repay the kindnesses shown me. I have partnered and continue to partner with the USO on programs and opportunities to make the lives of the marines and sailors better. The purpose of the USO and the chaplain, in my opinion, are mutual and teaming up with such amazing people is simply a bonus.
As the yearly banquet was being talked about in the office, it came as no shock to anyone that I told, not asked, that I would be doing the invocation. Who better than someone who believes in the mission of the USO more than a chaplain who volunteers and is helping to build the program on Camp Foster?
This is my invocation for this coming Saturday night's event:
Post Script: These are pictures from the evening:
My new challenge coin!
A part of the USO Troupe
When I first entered, I was greeted by a veteran and another volunteer, asking me what I needed, what they could get me and what this USO had to offer.
It was a haven.
Since then, when I travel and there is a layover, I find the USO. It is my "home away from home," where I am always greeted with a kind word, sometimes a hug and love.
So it was no surprise that when I came onto active duty that I would find a way to repay the kindnesses shown me. I have partnered and continue to partner with the USO on programs and opportunities to make the lives of the marines and sailors better. The purpose of the USO and the chaplain, in my opinion, are mutual and teaming up with such amazing people is simply a bonus.
As the yearly banquet was being talked about in the office, it came as no shock to anyone that I told, not asked, that I would be doing the invocation. Who better than someone who believes in the mission of the USO more than a chaplain who volunteers and is helping to build the program on Camp Foster?
This is my invocation for this coming Saturday night's event:
Let us pray.
Source of life,
You taught us to care for the widow and the orphan and the USO took up Your call to action. From humble beginnings, the USO saw every military service member as a widow or orphan who deserved a home away from home as those in the Armed Services carried out Your mission of being pursuers of peace.
As You love all your creations, the USO loves every branch of the military and those who support them. As we find You everywhere, so too is the USO. From combat zones to airports around the world. Just as we are partners with You in shaping this world, so too does the USO partner with the local communities that host our bases. Just as we seek You for shelter, so too is the USO an eye in the storm of military life.
God, we ask that you watch over the USO, its staff, volunteers, supporters and local partners. We pray that you continue to guide them on the holy path they travel as they bring Your words to fruition.
As we Dream and work Towards a time WHEN peace reigns, so too Does the USO, this sacred Continuing Mission until everyone Comes home. Amen.
Post Script: These are pictures from the evening:
My new challenge coin!
Susan (full time staff) and I
A part of the USO Troupe
PR from the night
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Earning a Challenge Coin
A challenge coin is the size of a commemorative coin that is given to an individual by a higher authority upon having gone above and beyond.
This past week, while sitting in our Force Preservation Counsel meeting (we keep apprised of marines for all sorts of reasons), the CO had a SGT come into the meeting to talk about how he took action when a junior marine in his unit started to display unusual behaviors. He got that marine help.
For the act of taking action and possibly saving that marine's life, what in Judaism is highest Mizvah of Pikuach Nefesh - saving a life, she gave him her challenge coin.
Below is an example of a challenge coin. I earned it coin some weeks back from the American Red Cross for my years of continued volunteerism.
This past week, while sitting in our Force Preservation Counsel meeting (we keep apprised of marines for all sorts of reasons), the CO had a SGT come into the meeting to talk about how he took action when a junior marine in his unit started to display unusual behaviors. He got that marine help.
For the act of taking action and possibly saving that marine's life, what in Judaism is highest Mizvah of Pikuach Nefesh - saving a life, she gave him her challenge coin.
Below is an example of a challenge coin. I earned it coin some weeks back from the American Red Cross for my years of continued volunteerism.
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