To the one who blessed our ancestors,
Abraham and Sarah,
Isaac and Rebecca,
Jacob, Leah and Rachel,
Bless ____________________ (Name, rank, branch of the military) and all
of those who have served this country in the armed forces.
Bless them for their unselfish service as they defended freedom around
the world,
Stood up for those who could not do so themselves,
Protected the innocent and defenseless,
Through combative or non-combative posts,
By air, by land and by sea.
Bless them with peace,
healing the wounds that we can see and those we cannot.
Bring them comfort, knowing their actions
brought peace and security to those who had none.
May they see the pride that fills our eyes when we look at them as
veterans, the honor we have of having their presence with us today as
symbols of the embodiment of what it means to be an American Jew.
May God guard them, bless them and keep them in peace, just as they
brought peace to others.
And let us say, Amen.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Saturday, October 28, 2017
18 month project
I have completed a project I started as soon as I got here.
I spelled out CAMP LEJEUNE finding items that look like the letter.
It only took me 18 months.
I spelled out CAMP LEJEUNE finding items that look like the letter.
It only took me 18 months.
C (Admiral Lejeune's monument on base)
A (Sign outside Intel bn)
M (dip bars outside Motor -T)
P (War memorial)
L (Radio Bn's Paraloft)
E (Sturgeon City Park)
J (War Memorial)
E (Jacksonville Commons Park)
U (creek on base)
N (pedestrian bridge over Lejeune Blvd)
E (the old railroad station on E. Railroad Rd)
New RP
I think it is wonderful when a new RP steps on deck and gets his end of tour award from his previous command straight off.
It says a great deal about that Sailor.
Keep it up, RP3!
It says a great deal about that Sailor.
Keep it up, RP3!
Global War on Terrorism Memorial
I was invited to give the benediction to the GWOT memorial dedication at Ft. Benning, GA.
Though getting to meet the MCPON and SgtMaj of the Marine Corps was probably a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, getting coined by a Gold Star mother was powerful. And that was just at breakfast.
The memorial lists the names of every service member who has died since 9/11.
There are blank spaces.
Below is my benediction and pictures.
************************************************************
Mekor Chayim, Source of Life,
My soul hurts.
It was ripped open 16 years ago, and yet, sometimes, it feels like yesterday.
The pain of my loss weighs me down and it feels hard to breath.
I feel alone – like no one can understand me except you, God.
-- But not here –
Here I am amongst friends, bonded by our losses and tears.
Here I find family, Gold – Red – White and Blue.
Here, we honor our fallen family, who died protecting the defenseless and bringing hope to places that had none.
May this monument serve as balm for our souls, helping us heal together - - as family and not as strangers.
And may it stand as a witness that the sacrifices of our family will not be forgotten – but honored and cherished - - not just today - - but every day.
Avinu SheBashamyim, Heavenly Father,
If we could be so bold, we pray that you watch over Your children, Your precious service members and civilian counterparts and those who will follow in their footsteps of continuing the mission of bringing us one step closer to peace in the world.
For you have promised us through your prophet Isaiah,
כִּי־תַעֲבֹר בַּמַּיִם אִתְּךָ־אָנִי וּבַנְּהָרוֹת לֹא יִשְׁטְפוּךָ כִּי־תֵלֵךְ בְּמוֹ־אֵשׁ לֹא תִכָּוֶה וְלֶהָבָה לֹא תִבְעַר־בָּךְ
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; nor shall the flame kindle upon you.” (43:2).
May we see the day when there is no need to add names to this memorial or any memorial.
And may that day come soon.
Amen.
Though getting to meet the MCPON and SgtMaj of the Marine Corps was probably a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, getting coined by a Gold Star mother was powerful. And that was just at breakfast.
The memorial lists the names of every service member who has died since 9/11.
There are blank spaces.
Below is my benediction and pictures.
************************************************************
Mekor Chayim, Source of Life,
My soul hurts.
It was ripped open 16 years ago, and yet, sometimes, it feels like yesterday.
The pain of my loss weighs me down and it feels hard to breath.
I feel alone – like no one can understand me except you, God.
-- But not here –
Here I am amongst friends, bonded by our losses and tears.
Here I find family, Gold – Red – White and Blue.
Here, we honor our fallen family, who died protecting the defenseless and bringing hope to places that had none.
May this monument serve as balm for our souls, helping us heal together - - as family and not as strangers.
And may it stand as a witness that the sacrifices of our family will not be forgotten – but honored and cherished - - not just today - - but every day.
Avinu SheBashamyim, Heavenly Father,
If we could be so bold, we pray that you watch over Your children, Your precious service members and civilian counterparts and those who will follow in their footsteps of continuing the mission of bringing us one step closer to peace in the world.
For you have promised us through your prophet Isaiah,
כִּי־תַעֲבֹר בַּמַּיִם אִתְּךָ־אָנִי וּבַנְּהָרוֹת לֹא יִשְׁטְפוּךָ כִּי־תֵלֵךְ בְּמוֹ־אֵשׁ לֹא תִכָּוֶה וְלֶהָבָה לֹא תִבְעַר־בָּךְ
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; nor shall the flame kindle upon you.” (43:2).
May we see the day when there is no need to add names to this memorial or any memorial.
And may that day come soon.
Amen.
Side view of the memorial (statues of two fire teams behind the marble slabs with all the names listed, behind a piece of the scaffolding from Ground Zero)
Veterans holding a gauntlet of flags for the Gold Star families to walk through. (In case you are not sure, this is a sign of respect.)
MCPON and I
SgtMaj Green and I
Post-event wide-angle picture of the memorial
Weddings and Farewells
In the transient life that is the military, people come and go in our lives.
It was my honor to marry Hailey and Josh.
I am sad that so soon afterwards, they moved across the country.
But it was not "farewell." Rather it was a "see you later."
It was my honor to marry Hailey and Josh.
I am sad that so soon afterwards, they moved across the country.
But it was not "farewell." Rather it was a "see you later."
Sukkah building
The next morning after we ended Yom Kippur, we put up the Sukkah.
It was so nice to not have to worry about typhoons coming in.
Just a little rain.
It was so nice to not have to worry about typhoons coming in.
Just a little rain.
Shown up by a 4 year old
So, the High Holidays were a busy time of year - as usual.
However, this year was wonderful - surrounded by friends and new members.
For the first time, I had to learn to blow the Shofar (ram's horn).
I thought I had gotten it down. I had practices for two weeks prior to Rosh HaShannah.
Then, at the end of of Yom Kippur, I am about to the Tekiyah Gedolah (final, single long blast) and I encouraged the kids to take a Shofar and join in with me.
Little did I know, that JAYCE - just 4 years old - would pick up the small Shofar and blow everyone away!!!!!!
He was AMAZING!!!!
However, this year was wonderful - surrounded by friends and new members.
For the first time, I had to learn to blow the Shofar (ram's horn).
I thought I had gotten it down. I had practices for two weeks prior to Rosh HaShannah.
Then, at the end of of Yom Kippur, I am about to the Tekiyah Gedolah (final, single long blast) and I encouraged the kids to take a Shofar and join in with me.
Little did I know, that JAYCE - just 4 years old - would pick up the small Shofar and blow everyone away!!!!!!
He was AMAZING!!!!
Coming Home
When anyone returns from deployment, it is customary to hang banners welcoming them home.
They hang on both sides of Lejeune Blvd, so as the Marines return, they see these symbols of love and celebration.
They hang on both sides of Lejeune Blvd, so as the Marines return, they see these symbols of love and celebration.
My ride to work
Not my ride to work. Just an average day, visiting Marines where they work.
Rah, Motor-Tuh!
Making the World a Better Place on COMREL at a time
I spend a lot of time creating opportunities for the Marines and Sailors to make themselves better people by making the world a better place.
Sometimes we forget that we are privileged - that "three hots and a cot" are not a guarantee for everyone.
That two paychecks a month is a blessing.
By having them come face to face with the less fortunate, by running Community Relations events (COMRELs or volunteer opportunities in the civilian world), they are reminded of their privilege and their responsibilities - - and their abilities to impact the world.
And if we do that by playing with hanging out with dogs so they will get adopted or building swan houses... then that is the price we are willing to pay.
Sometimes we forget that we are privileged - that "three hots and a cot" are not a guarantee for everyone.
That two paychecks a month is a blessing.
By having them come face to face with the less fortunate, by running Community Relations events (COMRELs or volunteer opportunities in the civilian world), they are reminded of their privilege and their responsibilities - - and their abilities to impact the world.
And if we do that by playing with hanging out with dogs so they will get adopted or building swan houses... then that is the price we are willing to pay.
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Happy Birthday, Marine!
What do you do when your Marine is far from family and their birthday?
You embarrass them by singing to them, making them wear a birthday hat and you buy them a cookie cake.
And how many Marines does it take to cut a giant cookie? According to my Supply Marines, 3.
You embarrass them by singing to them, making them wear a birthday hat and you buy them a cookie cake.
And how many Marines does it take to cut a giant cookie? According to my Supply Marines, 3.
Family History
My grandfather was drafted in WWII and fought in the Philippines. He was supposed to be a part of the Tokyo invasion but the war ended before that could happen.
I cannot translate any of the Kanji.
All I can assume is that my grandfather used those trunks before letting my father use them when he went to summer camp.
I am still in search of the pendants he received from every base where he was ever stationed.
I cannot translate any of the Kanji.
All I can assume is that my grandfather used those trunks before letting my father use them when he went to summer camp.
I am still in search of the pendants he received from every base where he was ever stationed.
Officer Bonding
We had a hail and farewell for our officers at a paintball facility.
I had a good time.
My XO got up close and personal during the last round.
Thanks, Sir!
It's about the size of my hand.
That's what a three inch distance between body part and muzzle looks like.
Totally going back!
I had a good time.
My XO got up close and personal during the last round.
Thanks, Sir!
It's about the size of my hand.
That's what a three inch distance between body part and muzzle looks like.
Totally going back!
Chaplain's Morale Booster
How does a chaplain boost morale in the command?
Two words.
Burger Burn.
Translation: free BBQ for the command.
1stSgts serving chow
And a game of corn holes
1stSgts running the grill.
Two words.
Burger Burn.
Translation: free BBQ for the command.
1stSgts serving chow
And a game of corn holes
1stSgts running the grill.
Pick me up after a long day
Some days are long. Very long. And getting a sign from the most holy artist (God) just makes you (in this case, me) feel good.
Good Morning
One morning, as I was driving to work, I saw this double rainbow.
By the time I parked my car to take the pictures, I could not get a good shot.
But the end of the rainbow ended behind the battalion headquarters building.
Is that a secret message?
By the time I parked my car to take the pictures, I could not get a good shot.
But the end of the rainbow ended behind the battalion headquarters building.
Is that a secret message?
Resiliency
The months of March, April and May are the high-time for suicides in the Marines Corps.
There are lots of reasons why.
My job, is to help Marines through those three months and give them the tools to bounce back stronger than before.
I saw this posted on-line and is now taped to my door.
I love watching my Marines read the words and walk away, standing just a little taller.
There are lots of reasons why.
My job, is to help Marines through those three months and give them the tools to bounce back stronger than before.
I saw this posted on-line and is now taped to my door.
I love watching my Marines read the words and walk away, standing just a little taller.
Beating the Storm
Some days you look back and see the storm coming and wonder, "Can I outrun it?"
Some days, you can.
Other days, you get wet.
Some days, you can.
Other days, you get wet.
OSCAR
I am an OSCAR (Operational Stress Control and Readiness) master trainer.
I had the honor of training new instructors and watching them teach.
Here, one of my instructors is engaging Marines with the curriculum.
(He is showing them how a school circle gives OSCAR team members a chance to get eyes on their Marines to see if they are okay.)
I had the honor of training new instructors and watching them teach.
Here, one of my instructors is engaging Marines with the curriculum.
(He is showing them how a school circle gives OSCAR team members a chance to get eyes on their Marines to see if they are okay.)
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