Marine Corps Birthday / Veteran's Day Benediction

Before my Marines secured for the 96, I gave them this benediction:

Source of life,

We stand on the shoulders of giants;

Those who went before us, blazing the trail of honor with their actions.

We see them, wearing their hats from wars before our time.

We forget their valorous actions, we look away, avoiding eye contact.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, may we honor them with our words and 

acknowledgements.

May praises of thanksgiving for their service flow as easily off our lips as the greeting of the day. 

For one day, Veteran’s Day will be our day and will wish for the same courtesy’s.

May we set the example for those around us, reminding those around us that commitment to the ideals of this institution of freedom are just as powerful today as they were 241 years ago.

S/F,

Amen.

2d Intel Battalion Ball Invocation

I have checked with SSgt and she said this is good enough for Intel Bn.

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Let us pray.

Source of knowledge,

We all joined this Marine Corps for different reasons,

but we all answered Your call to be the driving force for peace on earth.

We use our minds and intellect to project and analyze;

Deterring our enemies;

Directing our forces to victory.  

Our weapons are our sight and knowledge,

dedication and continued evolutions of learning.

We are a non-stopping, security-protecting, constantly - surveying, troop movement-analyzing, in every corner of the earth, counter-intel to your intel, battalion.

We are the select few to be allowed to be called - 2d Intel, battalion.

Lord, whether we are at home or deployed, You have watched over us for the last 241 years.

As we come together to celebrate the birth of Your Marine Corps,

Watch over Your selected few,

as we strive to bring Your prophecy to fruition with vigor and unwavering determination.

Because You have taught us, “There is no peace, for the wicked.” (Isaiah 48:22).

Keep us safe, God, as we carry out this sacred duty.

S/F!

Amen!

Golf Tournament Invocation

Of course I give invocations at chili cook-offs, golf tournaments...

Almighty God,

We spend our days fighting to protect this nation from our enemies.

Today, we will putt and drive our way across the battlefield of green!  

Lord, bless our game with humor and birdies, friendship and eagles!

And may the best player win!

Amen.

Pizza In The Hut

I could not resist doing a “pizza in the hut” event during Sukkot.

Of course, we ate pizza and played board games. 

Rosh HaShannah gifts

Though Camp Lejeune is not as remote as other stations, it is a little “out of the way.”

So when a Bar Mitzvah boy at the Schechter Day School in Rockland County wanted to send care packages to Jewish service members for Rosh HaShannah (Jewish New Years, happy 5777), I jumped at the chance to participate.

My Marines were so appreciative. Sometimes, even though we are not half way around the world, it feels as if we are. This little touch of home made such a difference. 

Jewish Wings

While in the Jewish Fellowship hall across from the Levy Chapel, a midshipman pointed out to me a set of Jewish wings. 

If given the chance to go to Jump School, I wonder if I can get that insignia authorized, rather than wear the regular wings….

Mentor's Retirement

A mentor of mine retired after 30 years as a Jewish chaplain for the Navy. 

I was privileged to be present for it as it was held at the Uriah P. Levy Chapel at the Naval Academy.

I hope I can be half the chaplain he was.

Semper Fidelis, Sir. 

Chili Cook-Off Invocation

Almighty God,

When anyone questions Your existence, Lord, I say 1 word – CHILI!

God, it is with the wisdom You instilled in us, that we could come up with such a culinary delight!

Heavenly creator – the order of the ingredients, the heat, the unnumbered variations – we know all of those gifts come from You!

Thank you for this joyous celebration of the marrying of meat and vegetables.

As You have taught us, “Gather the pieces of meat into it, every good piece, the thigh and the shoulder.” (Ez 24:4)

Thank You, Lord, for this opportunity to come together as family, partaking of Your gifts, and spending time with those important to us.

Amen!

NCO Mess Nght Invocation

Let us pray.

Creator of all,

We stand here, before you, proud to be taking part in our time-honored tradition.

Thank you for the gift of the mess night – the partaking in the grog, of building camaraderie and joining in fellowship with our brothers and sisters of our beloved Marine Corps.

Remind us, Lord, that with the joy tonight brings, comes responsibility – that no matter where we are and what we are doing – we are United States Marines!

Amen! 

The Battle of Vicksburg

Praetorian vs Samurai

One of the joys of PCSing, is meeting new people who feel like old friends.

Having a doc who understands me so quickly and becomes a good friend so fast, makes leaving Okinawa just a little easier.

And of course, I am friends with a Praetorian, even though I am a samurai!

History was never my strong suite, nor something I was passionate about until I joined the military.

It is hard not to study and debate history when you are living it day-to-day.

While visiting a friend in Mississippi, we went to Vicksburg and toured the battle ground.

From a military standpoint, and to understand it without modern weapons and technology, makes the victory that much more impressive.

I appreciated walking the footsteps of the militia, looking at the terrain and imagining fighting in that heat and humidity.

 It must have taken the kind of motivation and dedication that cannot be taught; a belief in the cause for which you fight. It was inspirin

. 

U.S.S. Cairo

D.C. as a service member

I was visiting DC this past summer and I finally toured the National Mall. For the first time, I stopped at each of the war memorials.

I was stationed in Okinawa. My grandfather fought in the Philippines during the Pacific campaign of World War II.

Walking these sacred sites means so much more now that I share the uniform with those captured in sculptures or their names engraved on the wall.

I stand in awe of those who came before me, upon whose shoulders all service members stand.

And I pray for the day when no more memorials need be built. 

Vietnam Memorial 

Korean War Memorial

World War II Memorial

World War II Memorial - Pacific 

Finding Home

As this is my first PCS (duty station to duty station), I did not truly feel anchored here until I was standing outside the MEF headquarters building and saw Old Glory in all her glory.

The breeze was perfect as she waved.

Long may she wave. 

Base to Operational Unit

The MHG Commanding Officer led an MHG-wide formation run before his Change of Command.
It was a sight to see.
Just one of the differences between Base and Operational commands.

Civil War History Lesson

As someone from the capital of the Confederacy, I biked over to Sturgeon City Park.

It is the sight of the LT (USN) Cushing's landing against the Confederates on the gunboad, the USS Ellis.

New command, new sign on the door

While visiting The MET in NYC, I came across a shield taken into battle in 176-/1770, in France.

I sort of want to put this on the front of my office door with a sign that reads, "Chaplain's game face before going to MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) class."

Hello, Camp Lejeune

I have never been to Camp Lejeune and had/have no expectations.

However, I have been welcomed with such overwhelming excitement, the only thing I can do is match it!

And I have never been greeted with such joy that I speak Hebrew! And that's what happens when you are in a room full of linguists.
Their first question: What language do you plan on learning next?

Hello Radio Bn!

Hello Intel Bn!

Farewell Okinawa

It has been a true blessing to have such a wonderful first tour.

Thank you to the Jewish community for being so amazing.

Raising the bar so high that no-one will be able to match it - Col Lee and Futenma Air Station!

Pre-PCS vacation - Cambodia

Before leaving the region, I took advantage of my excess of leave days and went to Cambodia.

I got to visit the National Museum, national parks, and climb all over national treasures that are thousands of years old. I even got to reenact a little "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider."

National Museum

 National Museum Grounds

Phnom Pehn - We did not realize that it was New Year's Eve

Lawn Clock in Phnom Phen

Angkor Wat at sunrise

Banteay Srey

Bayon (Angkor Thom)

Beginning of Farewell

I am beginning my preparations to PCS.

It is hard, saying goodbye to people who I do not know when I will see again.

On Friday, SgtMaj and I said goodbye to our final LCpl Ethical Leadership Seminar at graduation.

We started this program together and it seems fitting that we end together.

I Promised My Mother - Relief and Appointment of SgtMaj Williamson and Siaw

I told my mother of the honor I had to give the invocation for the Relief and Appointments of SgtMaj Williamson and Siaw.

As I have spent so many Wednesday mornings with SgtMaj Williamson and plenty of official functions with him and his wife, I wanted to make sure my words were the right ones to send off a SgtMaj that I respect and can not wait to see what he does in his new position.

I promised her I would post my invocation.

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If you would join in me prayer,

Heavenly Father,

When we raised our hand and volunteered to protect Your precious creations from harm, we knew that we were choosing a life of constant change and uncertainty. We also knew, we were asking our families to make the sacrifice with us. 

Lord, when we answered Your call to defend the defenseless and bring hope to the hopeless, we did not know how powerful the friendships we would make along the way would be. We would find teammates, comrades, friends.

God, building these significant ties means that continuing on our journeys guarantees separation from those around us. And if it must be so, we ask that You help us by sanctifying this parting with words of comfort.

As the Priests blessed the people, so too do we ask for your blessing on SgtMaj Williamson, Kim, Katherine and Cullen.

Yiverechicha Adonai V'Yishmerecha- May God Bless you and keep you safe.  

Ya'er Adonai Panav Eilecha Vichuneka - May you feel God's presence always.

Yisah Adonai Panav Eilecha V'yasem lecha shalom - May you walk the paths of Peace and light the way for others.

As we say farewell to a cornerstone of our community, Lord, we ask that you bless SgtMaj Siaw, Samantha, Spring, Andrew, Adrianne, and Jackson as we welcome them to our family. Bless him with Your love and guide him to walk the path between justice and mercy. Sanctify the works of his hands so we can benefit from his wisdom. As Moses said to Joshua, "Chazak V'Ematz" be strong and of good courage.

May we go from strength to strength, Amen. 

Finding My Voice Among The Homeless

On Friday, Kiyoko and I took some Marines to Yogi Park to feed the less privileged.

We helped set up, serve food and clean up all in the name of caring for others.

The most significant moment for me was when all the volunteers came together and the head volunteer led the group in a prayer in Japanese In that moment, I found my voice -. My ministry voice I wanted to pray so the Marines and Sailors to understand the religious and spiritual significance of what they were doing. The prayer I led was nothing special but in that space and time, I let the words come out, unscripted, flowing from my heart a message of love.

Who knew that I would find my chaplain voice at a Christian outreach program of feeding the homeless in Naha?

Mah Gadlu Ma'asecha Adonai? How great are Your acts o God?

Expanding My Horizons

I am going to experience new things.

Today, I learned to paddleboard.

Thank you, Kaycee.

That was a new awesome way to PT!

Answering My Nation's Call

Since coming on island, I participate in the National Prayer Luncheon on Kadena Air Base.

This year, I finally took pictures.

This year's theme was, "Answering my Nation's Call."

The selection that Cpt Horowitz and I read was God answering the call of the Israelites and promising to redeem them, Exodus 6: 5 - 8. 

Cpt Horowitz and I reciting from Hebrew Scripture

The Gospel Choir with the Jolly Green (33rd) behind them.

Origami airplanes for centerpieces.

Inner-peace

I can not stress how important it has been for me to find places that bring me inner-peace.

With the workload and extra-curricular activities, I am constantly searching for that balance that is difficult for me and other chaplains to find.

I got to experience this sunset.