My chaplain assistant made weekly visits to the barracks on our FOB to distribute toiletries. This allowed him to serve other Soldiers as well as to build better relationships with them. Sometimes, his visit would spark an idea in someone’s mind that they should talk with me about something; so, he often referred them for counselling appointments.

Often, as my Soldiers were lining up their vehicles to depart the FOB on a mission, I would walk the line to greet each Soldier. I had prepared goodie bags to hand out, also. If the Soldiers were headed to an outpost for several days, these bags might include toiletry items. Otherwise, the bags contained snacks and morale items like CDs or movies. In every bag was a prayer or Scripture card. Soldiers were always appreciative of these items, and I distributed a great deal of support items in this manner and through other methods. Every engagement involved direct ministry to Soldiers.

I have been asked for suggestions of items to include in care packages. The attached list offers ideas of snacks, toiletries, and other items that are useful for Soldiers. This list is specific to Afghanistan. While it offers some suggestions, keep in mind that circumstances may be different for the Soldier you wish to support, and consult him when selecting your items. For example, while I suggest not sending microwaveable foods, some Soldiers may have ready access to microwaves and would appreciate such items.

Thank you for your support of U.S. Soldiers. Those who show their support for Soldiers in tangible ways make a valuable contribution to the welfare and morale of those Soldiers in harm’s way.

Suggested Care Package Items for Soldiers Deployed to Afghanistan (.PDF file)

After a great deal of trial and error during field training exercises and during my last deployment in Iraq, I have developed my own field altar arrangement. The standard Army issue Protestant chaplain kit requires some modifications to meet my needs, but I’ll share about that in another article. Here I offer a look at my field altar setup.

I hope this example will spark ideas in the minds of new chaplains about how to prepare for combat ministry. Garrison chapels are generally well-equipped with the necessary tools for conducting Sunday services. In the field, the chaplain must be prepared to carry everything needed for his services when he hits the road. One of the most important lessons I learned from my previous deployment is to be flexible and portable. This field altar set and my modified chaplain kit allow me to be prepared for dignified services of Holy Communion almost anywhere. If time and space allow, this field altar can be set up quickly and easily; setup requires five minutes or less, and, when set up, the altar takes up no more room than a couple of TV dinner tray tables.

The picture below shows my field altar ready for service. Missing from this photo are the people’s wafers, wine, and water. At my services, I hand out to Soldiers a laminated bi-fold pamphlet of the liturgy, which is not shown here.

Below the photo, I have listed each item and its origin.

1. Field Altar. I purchased this collapsible aluminum camp table from Amazon.com for approximately $45 (28″ x 28″ x 27″). The table disassembles and can be packed in its own carrying case. I recommend this table as a lighter and less bulky alternative to the Army’s folding wooden field table.
2. Fair Linen. I had this item custom made by a seamstress. The material is some sort of synthetic blend, almost like parachute material.
3. Corporal. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.
4. Chalice. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.
5. Pall. I had this item custom made by a seamstress. The material came from an Army issue corporal. I cut the stiffener from a larger one found inside a standard-size white pall sold commercially.
6. Paten. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.
7. Priest’s Wafer. From Army stock.
8. Purificator. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.
9. Prayer Book. My personal copy.
10. Stole. I had this item custom made by a seamstress. It was made from one of my old uniforms.
11. Cross. From the Army issue Protestant chaplain kit.

My field altar is currently in a shipping container on its way to Afghanistan. When I retrieve it, I’ll add more photos and information in a second part to this article.

“I heard so many people make poor partner selection, overlooking the same things that later bother them,” the Medina County native said.

After 20 years of counseling clients and earning his Ph.D. from the University of Akron in 1995, Van Epp wrote the curriculum for “How to Avoid Falling in Love With A Jerk.”

READ MORE from the Medina Sun

Still, she can hardly believe the effort has blossomed to 25 nationwide parishes and Catholic institutions and is nearing the 300,000th crafted “ranger rosary.”

Evans sees the work as a mission and a way of letting the troops know they aren’t forgotten. It provides soldiers, sailors and airmen a means of holding onto their Catholic faith as they serve far from home.

“It’s amazing,” Evans said. “This just keeps getting bigger and bigger. We get requests for more rosaries all the time.

READ MORE from Catholic News Agency

PITTSBURG —

George Powers has been a fighter against tyranny all his life.

First he fought against communist tyranny as a Ranger, a Green Beret and master parachutist, serving three combat tours of duty in Vietnam. Now he’s fighting spiritual tyranny, helping lead souls to freedom as co-director for the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer, Pittsburg. His new book, “The Making of a Soldier,” traces his battles, military and spiritual. Powers will sign copies of the book from 4 to 7:30 p.m. today and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the recently dedicated Kansas National Guard Armory on South Rouse.

“I so much appreciate the Kansas National Guard agreeing to be my host for this book signing,” Powers said. “I want to do anything I can to make the public aware of the sacrifice our military is making, not only those who are serving but their families as well.”

A native of Wyoming, Powers wrote that “the heritage of a soldier that was to become mine literally grew out of the ground I lived on as a small child.” His great-grandfather’s ranch included three sites involved in the U.S. military’s battle against various Native American tribes, including Fort Phil Kearny.

READ MORE from The Morning Sun

You can see a preliminary form at www.freebiblecommentary.org/intcdtest/ReadMe.htm

It also includes Bible commentaries in Bengali, French, Portuguese, Serbian, Slovakian & Urdu.

It should be ready to mail by the end of June. For your free CD-ROM just email me a mailing address.

Dr. Bob Utley

Professor of Hermeneutics (retired)
Marshall, Texas

www.freebiblecommentary.org

DALLAS, Jan. 30 /Christian Newswire/ — Millions were inspired by the stirring, visceral account of Lt. General Hal Moore’s Vietnam war experience as told in the New York Times #1 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once…And Young. The major motion picture adaptation, We Were Soldiers, was hailed by many as “one of the best war movies ever made.” But there is so much more to the story.

In A General’s Spiritual Journey, observed and written by Hal Moore’s driver, General Moore opens his heart and soul about the role faith has played throughout his many life experiences. The evocative collection of memories and private thoughts are observed and written by his friend and “driver.” From his childhood in Kentucky, through West Point, to the bloody battlefields of Korea and Vietnam, in business and family, and into his current days of writing, speaking, and living without his beloved wife Julia, Hal Moore leaves little doubt as to what he has always valued most in his life–his God.

Read more from Christian Newswire

The U.S. Army has teamed with contemporary Christian music’s Mark Schultz in a soldier safety campaign. Schultz’s song “Letters from War” is the inspiration for this effort. The campaign’s theme is “Be Safe–Make it Home.”

It’s great to see an arm of the federal government working with Christians in a time when Christians are mostly being persecuted. The safety website even provides an online stream of Schultz’s music video and a link to his website.

If you haven’t heard the song, it’s certainly one to hear and ponder.

May Christ have mercy on the souls of our troops and give them strength to perform their duties.