Jumping Mustangs - Honor and Courage
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Updated 26 Nov. 2007 CHAPLAINS NEWS LETTER VETERANS DAY NOVEMBER 11,2007 Soldiers of the 353rdInfantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse, France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photograph was taken at 10:58 AM, November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect all across the battle fields of Europe. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the words, "To us in American, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice into the councils of the nations..." President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed HR 7786 changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. This was to become a legal Federal Holiday to pause to Honor American Veterans of all wars. Memorial Day in May remembers our fallen HERO'S from all the wars. Veterans Day honors the living with a keen sense of gratitude and thanksgiving for GOD's demonstrated grace in the stream of America's history of bringing peace to the nations. May the name of Jesus Christ be exalted for the freedom HE has bountifully given America which we unselfishly continue to share across the globe. Shared with a grateful heart.........Roger ******************************* Honor
and Courage First Team 8th U.S. CAVALRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ************************************************* Your attention is invited to the Chaplain's Newsletter: Fall 2007. Honor and Courage Carl W. Moreland Director ************************************************** CHAPLAIN'S
NEWSLETTER 8th U.S. CAVALRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION Fall 2007
ROCK OF AGES Scripture: Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Sunday, November 11, 2007 I was in Washington, D.C. with Vietnam veterans. It was the 25th Anniversary of the Wall. I always remember November 11th as Armistice Day because my Daddy was in the Big War in France on that important day. He would tell my brother Bob and I how suddenly the noise of war ceased and silence spread over the battlefield on 11-11-11. He was a Sgt. in the Coast Artillery. I still pause at 1100 hours on 11-11 in remembrance. Since the Big War did not end wars, November 11th is now known as Veterans Day to salute all veterans from any war who served to keep our country and the world free. As I walked around the section of Washington where the memorials are located, I realized when we want to remember someone or something important we use stones. God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses written on stone tablets. Stones marking Old and New Testament places are mentioned in the Bible. The World War 2 memorial has walls of granite stone engraved with names and dates of historic nature. The names on “The Wall” with the polished black stone reflecting those touching the names becomes “alive and healing” commemorating the lost lives. The Korean Memorial, showing the squad moving forward into unknown territory, has a warm gray reflective wall alongside it with engravings of those civilians and military who were part of the Korean War. This wall also reflects those who are passing by. It connects us to our loved ones and reminds every one of whatever age there is a high price for freedom even that of life itself. My brother Bob (Co. G. 2ndBn Weapons Platoon) was caught in the Chinese attack at Unsan with the 8thCav. Here is what his MIA diary for 11 November 1950 says: “Replacing our ‘Help’ sign for the second time and remaining by it for a couple of hours, we saw and then heard a plane which circled in a large arc giving forth a broadcast in Chinese; apparently a part of our psychological warfare. While we were watching the plane, we could hear our artillery close to us in the South-West with scattered small arms fire in the North-East. With all of this favorable activity – this being Armistice Day – we all considered it might also have been a good day for our UN forces. Our constant prayers were directed in that channel anyway. It was while Harry and I were on the hill this day that we smoked our last American cigarette!” Rocks or stones have a life and meaning all their own throughout the generations dating back to Biblical times. Have you thought what you want on your gravestone to mark your gift of life from the Lord? Don’t let others make the decision for you. Decide now and write down what is to be engraved for future generations to read. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
THANKSGIVING President George W. Bush has proclaimed Thursday, November 22, 2007 as a National Day of Thanksgiving. In the proclamation he reminds us the early explorers and settlers who arrived in this land gave thanks for God’s protection and for the natural abundance they found. The first National Day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed by President George Washington. May each of us in our own way give thanks reflecting on our past and resolve to go forth united in freedom affirming daily our national motto “In God We Trust” PRAYERS As Thanksgiving approaches let us remember loved ones. Pray for comfort for the wives, children, family and friends who will have an empty seat at the table. Thank the Lord daily and pray: For our Commander in Chief for wisdom and leadership that will not be swayed by political pressure. For those serving in the military far and near. For God’s guidance and faithfulness in seeing us through difficult situations. For family and friendships. For God’s forgiveness when we try and control our life instead of following Him. Honor and Courage Peggie Lauber Miller, Chaplain 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment Association |
