AF Chaplains in the News

Worth the read. Hits the big rocks with what we as AF chaplains do, and talks about the issues surrounding our current draw down.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=70025

My last deployment -- waiting for the medivac chopper to come in with wounded.

Presidential Wisdom

Some great ideas to ponder from our first President, George Washington.

It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it.

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.

To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.

True Success Story

Our team at Osan Air Base is known for its readiness. Our Wing's motto is "Ready to fight tonight" and we are. Exercises here are full up and as realistic as we can make them and they are lots of fun. As a chaplain they provide me lots of opportunities to talk to folks and learn how they do their jobs when push comes to shove. It is always a reconfirming experience - we have some amazing airmen out here. The presence of our military forces in Korea has been a key factor in the amazing success of our Korean friends.

South Korea is a huge success story. When the communists sought to unify the country under a repressive dictatorship in the 50s they fought with all they had. By the time the war was over, the country was devastated. It had no true urban centers. No true infrastructure. Even the trees were erased from the landscape. Today as you drive through Korea, just 60 years later, you find an amazing prosperous modern country with a thriving economy and people enjoying a thriving democracy with a healthy respect for liberty. Equally encouraging for me personally is that in the midst of this fertile environment where religious liberty is safeguarded the Christian faith is thriving. Also driving through Korea you realize how beautiful a country this is.

But today I read an article that taught me that not only is the amazing Korean work ethic bearing fruit for their human society in its modern economic achievements and standard of living - but the environment has benefited from their work ethic as well. From the article: (By Michael Breen; Korean Times)

When foreign war veterans visit the battlefields in Korea
where they fought North Korean and Chinese forces 60 years ago,
they notice one enormous change in the terrain: trees.
They're everywhere.
The once bare hills of wartime Korea are now clothed in foliage.
(read the full story here)

Happy Birthday Honey

In about fifteen minutes the day will shift from 3 May to 4 May back in the states, but it has been 4 May for almost 13 hours here -- so I get to celebrate my wife's birthday before she does -- though I must admit its a bit hard to do since she isn't here. Let's just say with the last few busy days, my primary celebration activity has been just plain missing her.

So honey, if you read this: Happy Birthday. I know you are sleeping right now, but when you wake up I want you to know I'm thinking about you.

Happy Birthday