On the Road

First, Nate passes along his thanks for the many kind gifts and letters sent to 'Any Soldier'. Not only are these packages practical, or pleasant little luxuries, but they serve as a tangible reminder that we care about them back here on the home front. Some of the soldiers can be quite touched by your notes of appreciation.

Nate's been traveling the past week. He got around to a number of different combat operating bases (COBs). He also participated in a convoy for the first time since being in country. Most of the time he and Chaplain (Capt.) King have flown at night by helicopter. This week they made one of their trips by a road convoy. Nate had a window seat in a MRAP (mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle), like the one in the photo.

Nate has noticed a pattern during his visits. It seems the troops who are stationed in more remote locations with less (or no) access to a recreation center or theatre have higher morale in general than those on large bases with many recreational amenities. Counterintuitive, perhaps, but it makes sense in a way. Those soldiers tend to have more focus on a mission that keeps them busy and offers variety. When 'real' entertainment isn't available, troops make their own, and a good graphic novel, dogeared as it passes from soldier to soldier, is more dear than a movie theatre's bill changing 3 times a week.

Nate and others in his battalion have also had the opportunity to participate in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. (You may have seen or heard Ramsey on Fox News or his radio show on personal finance -- where being debt free is replacing the Mercedes as a status symbol.) Apparently this program has caught on across the Army, and his battalion purchased a number of kits to offer the course to soldiers for free. Each week, for 13 weeks, they view a video, listen to a lecture, and participate in small group discussion. Nate's really been enjoying the course, and appreciates Ramsey's sense of humor.



Nate also recently enjoyed a show put on by Filter, a metal band touring the sandbox. It was sponsored by an organization called Stars for Stripes, that sends stars on tour around the world to entertain the troops. If you're on Facebook, check out Nate's new profile photo of himself with the band. Nate's the one with the rifle.

Nate with Iraqi Mortar

High angle fire!

The American Legion VetCam

The American Legion VetCam offers you, your family and friends an experience that is the next best thing to being there. Don’t miss out on those important events in your life.

Because you can’t always be there, The American Legion is making it easier for you, your friends and your loved ones to stay in touch.

They offer you VetCam: Free one-on-one video conferencing – to enable you to talk face-to-face with friends and family across town or overseas. One-on-one. Or with several people at a time. You decide.

Members of The American Legion, as well as members of the United States Armed Forces (active duty, Reserve and National Guard), their families and friends, are welcome to use this complimentary technology to remain connected with those people most important to you.

You have to sign up to use it, and of course, you have to coordinate with the service member to arrange to be on line at the same time.

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Four Chaplains Day

H. RES. 86 Expressing support for the designation of Four Immortal Chaplains Day in remembrance of the 4 men who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of compassion for those of different races and faiths.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 26, 2009 Mr. FILNER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
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RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of Four Immortal Chaplains Day in remembrance of the 4 men who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of compassion for those of different races and faiths.
Whereas on February 3, 1943, The Army Transport Service troopship Dorchester was torpedoed in the North Atlantic Ocean by a German submarine, an event that resulted in the loss of nearly 700 lives and for which witnesses have recounted in the Congressional Record the heroism of 4 chaplains of different faiths: Lieutenant George L. Fox, Methodist; Lieutenant Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lieutenant John P. Washington, Catholic; and Lieutenant Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed;
Whereas witnesses verified that during the approximate 18 minutes the ship was sinking after being torpedoed off the coast of Greenland, the 4 chaplains went from soldier to soldier calming fears, distributing life jackets, and guiding men to safety;
Whereas when there were no more life jackets, the 4 chaplains removed their own life jackets and gave them to others;
Whereas the 4 chaplains were last seen arm-in-arm in prayer on the hull of the ship;
Whereas many of the 230 men who survived owed their lives to these 4 chaplains, and witnesses among them recounted the unique interreligious spirit and love for their fellow man that was later illustrated in a popular postage stamp issued by the United States in 1948, called `These Immortal Chaplains--Interfaith in Action';
Whereas Congress passed House Concurrent Resolution 90 in 1957 to honor these 4 chaplains and the men who died with them, and President Harry Truman and President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued similar proclamations calling for national recognition and participation in memorial services throughout the country that have been observed annually by the American Legion on the first Sunday of February;
Whereas Congress created a special medal for valor given to the 4 chaplains in 1960;
Whereas the Senate passed a unanimous resolution on the first day of the 2d Session of the 105th Congress, on January 27, 1998, designating February 3 as Four Chaplains Day; and
Whereas memorials to the chaplains' heroic sacrifice abound in many places throughout the country, including the Heroes Window in the National Cathedral in Washington, District of Columbia, the Chapel at the Pentagon, and the Chapel at the United States Military Academy at West Point: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives remembers the Four Immortal Chaplains who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of compassion for those of different races and faiths and requests the President issue a proclamation calling on the Federal Government, States, localities, and the people of the United States to observe a day in their honor with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.