Day 11, Thankful for Those Who Serve

I don't have any digital photos of the men in my life during their military service, but I am thankful for all of them, and for all men and women who have served the causes of freedom throughout history. And I am thankful for those who still serve today.

I married a sailor. I don't have a picture of him in uniform. I really must scan all those old photos.

Thank you, Chief James L Jeffers, for serving in the US Navy, 1965-1976. He was a Fire Control Technician on nuclear fast attack submarines. He never saw duty in Viet Nam, but was an active part of the Cold War.












He is in this picture somewhere. I remember standing with a crowd on the docks in Groton, CT the day the Archerfish was launched. It was freezing cold. My feet were numb. The men had to stand at attention on the metal deck during the ceremony and as the huge hulk slid into the icy waters of the Thames River. Jim's mustache was a frozen icicle when he finally got off the boat.




My father, David Roy Coleman, Jr, served in the Army during World War ll, though he never went to battle. He was stationed in Texas, working as an accountant, serving 1,300 miles away from his wife and children. Thank you for your service, Dad. I am a war baby, conceived during a weekend leave and hurried trip to the Grand Canyon - the half-way point between my mom and dad. I am one of the first wave of baby boomers.

My father-in-law, Beryl L Jeffers served in the Army Infantry during WWll. He was captured in Germany and held in Stalag 11b Fallingbostel Prussia Work Camp until the end of the war. He suffered injuries that effected him for the rest of his life, but he never complained or let it slow him down. Thank you, Dad.

A friend posted a wonderful prayer on Facebook today (thank you Hallee the Homemaker). This prayer was delivered right before The Battle of the Bulge. It is appropriate still today.

By direction of General George S. Patton, Third Army Commander, Msgr. James H. O'Neill, Chief Chaplain of the Third Army, wrote and published Training Letter #5 in December 1944, which reads in part:

"Urge all of your men to pray, not alone in church, but everywhere. Pray when driving. Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others. Pray by night and pray by day. Pray for the cessation of immoderate rains, for good weather for Battle. Pray for the defeat of our wicked enemy whose banner is injustice and whose good is oppression. Pray for victory. Pray for our Army, and Pray for Peace.

"We must march together, all out for God...We are not trying to make the best of these days. It is our job to make the most of them. Now is not the time to follow God from 'afar off.' This Army needs the assurance and the faith that God is with us. With prayer, we cannot fail."

Amen and Amen.