Welcome to my attempt to keep current with my deployment in support of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coasties participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post, but I'll do the best I can. While here, I invite you to remember, if you would, my sisters and brothers in uniform who are, at the very moment you're reading this, in mortal danger.
I further invite you to pray for them with me, or at least to send good intentions their way. Thanks.
Blessings and peace to you in these troubled times,
Fr. Tim, SJ
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12 comments:
Joe and I are praying for you daily and will be sending you packages and letters often. Your service will help countless soliders and families through a difficult situation. We all need someone like you over there.
Sir,
Remember, you need not fight to be a Soldier. Your mission is essential to Soldiers and Marines. Find your stength and know that there will be Marines & Soldiers around every corner, watching out for you and looking to you in their tmes of need.
Trust me, they will need you more than you need them...and purely through your presence and prayers, they will be at ease. Because through YOU they will feel closer to a higher power, what ever that may be for them....You areno longer a Christian or Catholic, Jewish or otherwise...YOU work for GOD, who ever tht may be to each soldier...
Your faith and commitment to the troops will inspire, though you WILL see tragedy and sorrow, remember, you are an asset to the men and women you will serve WITH. They will need you even (and ESPECIALLY) when they may tell you they do not.
My thoughts will be with you, Sir.
Thank You for your service.
SSG BRIGHT
OIF IV & V Veteran
Father Tim.....your cousin, Mike Graham, recently told me about you.....I am a retired cop, former Marine, recovering catholic, & sober AA guy......I know some things about service, commitment, conflict & struggle.....I laud your chosen path & wish you well on the journey......my thoughts will be with you & all freedom fighters overseas as well as here at home......from Randy Lloyd in Southern California
I was made aware of your adventures by a friend Mike G who is a very good writer. Maybe you have the genetic makeup and just don't know it, yet. Those of us in the peaceful Gulf Islands have much time for prayer and meditation and I will surely include you and your fellows as well as your country in my prayers. I pray that the source of my ES&H provides all people with the capaciy for peace in their hearts. May Peace be with you my friend and easy does it, eh?
Regards, Herb B hjb1950@telus.net
Tim
A Bill-Friend of Mike Graham's and US Navy Lieutenant of the Vietnam Era wishes you all the best. While in-country look up my buddy John Everett jethepi@earthlink.net
John Everett, CFE CAMS 20 EN BDE
HHC APO AE 09391
John Everett is embedded with the XVIII Airborne Corps the commanding unit for Multi National Division North which includes urban centers as Mosul, Tikrik, Kirkuk, Samara as well as hundreds of villages both big and small; both on maps and not on maps. Everett is part of an experimental unit that provides the insight of experienced criminal investigators to the counter insurgency fight. All of the members are retired law enforcement and most of them have retired from agencies such as FBI, IRS, DEA, etc. Everett’s role within the military is to contribute a different perspective to counter insurgency efforts based upon his experience as a seasoned organized crime investigator.
In the immediate area surrounding Everett’s current location (LSA Anaconda, about 50 miles north of Baghdad) there are as many as 70 villages (almost all Sunni) most of which consist of single story structures/dirt floors/no internal plumbing, etc. The village of Karagul on the western edge of the Tigress River was an AQI stronghold. Everett scheduled a humanitarian mission targeting Karagul but that mission was cancelled because one week before the visit another unit was ambushed on the perimeter of the village. Eventually the mission was re-scheduled (not scheduled with the village but with the security elements) and Everett along with other members of the unit delivered much needed (and appreciated) school supplies that had been donated by residents of Southern California and agents of the CID-IRS. While there was no prior announcement of our visit, within 20 minutes, the parents had produced over 200 children ranging in ages 5 to 15. All of the donated supplies were distributed, the “infidel” became a little less evil, US Soldiers felt good, and the kids now had note pads, pencils, crayons, rulers and erasers where as before they had nothing.
Am so grateful to be included in your path by a true curmudgeon, your uncle. I would love to be able to send a box of cookies (or whatever is acceptable) to you guys. I became a friend of Bill's in 1976. So I deeply moved by your choice to truly minister.
Joe-
I am a friend of your cousin, Michael... whom i admire dearly.
I am a sober single mom (20 yrs in two weeks) and have had more than my share of adversity..... i understand and HONOR what you are doing!!! We pray for you and your family and the troops... you are off to help "change" their lives and perspective and bring HOPE into the lives of many... even if you reach ONE... you have more than done "your job"
My Best Friend is in the hospital from a motorcycle accident last week.... a sober member, who might loose his leg; however, he is at peace with his situation and say's "What a better person to have this happen... i am on a spiritual path, sober and have constant support from friends and family... im in Gods hands"
There is strength in numbers....and miracles happen daily; as we both know WE are one of many!!!!
One day at a time..... May God bless you and keep you until then......
Love
Alana and Shae- (my 7 yr old son)
Joe-
I am a friend of your cousin, Michael... whom i admire dearly.
I am a sober single mom (20 yrs in two weeks) and have had more than my share of adversity..... i understand and HONOR what you are doing!!! We pray for you and your family and the troops... you are off to help "change" their lives and perspective and bring HOPE into the lives of many... even if you reach ONE... you have more than done "your job"
My Best Friend is in the hospital from a motorcycle accident last week.... a sober member, who might loose his leg; however, he is at peace with his situation and say's "What a better person to have this happen... i am on a spiritual path, sober and have constant support from friends and family... im in Gods hands"
There is strength in numbers....and miracles happen daily; as we both know WE are one of many!!!!
One day at a time..... May God bless you and keep you until then......
Love
Alana and Shae- (my 7 yr old son)
God bless you and the troops. Thank you for serving God and our country. I will pray for you. God Speed.
For you to bring light into the lives of our great soldiers who may be feeling there is no more light is a very brave deed on your part. Your influence may have life-saving effect on war-weary soldiers who have been on multiple deployments. May God guide your words and actions to most benefit these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much. I pray that God will keep you safe as you trudge yet another road in your destiny. The great love you have in your heart is a blessing to all.
Thank you for being who and what you are.
Loren Richards
(friend of Mike Graham)
Tim...the path that God has led you to is one that will greatly impact the soldiers and Marines as they come in contact with you. Your life and experiences, both good and bad, will give you the perspective and the ability to greatly impact their lives in moments of greatest need...
Be not afraid for He is with you, In your rising and in your laying down,
In your moments of strength and in your moments of fear,
You will find Him in the smile of a child and the tears of a soldier,
He is with you
and so are we,
and you are with us in our thoughts and prayers.
Andy P
Hi,
Helen B and Elaine keep me in the loop. You have been remembered at gatherings in the Los Altos area this week. Happy Anniversaries: 9/3 and 9/10.
love and prayers
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