The U.S. Marines

Friday, June 2, 2017

• The U.S. Marines were born twice.
  First in 1775 the Continental Marines were formed to aid in the Revolutionary War. It was disbanded in 1783.
  Later it was reborn in 1798 as the United States Marine Corps.
• Although the U.S. Marines is its own branch of the military, it isn't a part of the Department of Defense.  Instead it is under the Department of the Navy.
• Chuck Norris and Gary Sinise are honorary Marines because of their extraordinary contributions to the Marine Corps.
• Bea Arthur (Dorothy Zbornak from the Golden Girls) was a Marine.
• Gomer Pyle was a Marine. 
• Semper Fi is short for Semper Fidelis which means "Always Faithful."
• John Philip Sousa wrote the official march of the Marines entitled, Semper Fidelis.
• Because of its loyalty, faithfulness, and tenacity, the English Bulldog is the official mascot for the Marines.
• "Toys for Tots" is actually a mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and was founded in 1947!

The few. The proud. The Marines. 

 

The U.S.Air Force

Thursday, June 1, 2017

 

• A Congressional Bill in 1947 birthed quadruplets: the branch of the military known as the Air Force was separated from the Army and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Council, and the Central Intelligence Agency were born together.
• Before the Air Force goes into an area, they send a special ops weather team to asses the environment. These "meteorologists" are trained to parachute, climb mountains, navigate through jungles, and use explosives. 
• Air Force One isn't the name of an aircraft. It is the designation for whichever aircraft is carrying the President.
• An "ace" is a pilot who has shot down 5 or more enemy aircraft. Joseph McConnell holds the record for the Air Force as a triple ace, having shot down 16 MiG fighters during the Korean War. And his record still stands.

 

• Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush served in the Air Force.
• It was Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager who first broke the sound barrier in 1947.
• The Air Force has an official band.
• The Air Force used scientific information from the flight of a bumble bee to create the F-117 fighter.
• Actor Jimmy Stewart flew in the Air Force. In fact, he rose to the rank of Brigadier General.
• Chuck Norris, Johnny Cash, George Carlin, Willie Nelson, Morgan Freeman, and Hunter S. Thompson are a few celebrities who were in the Air Force.

When I was in the U.S.O. in 1977 and in 1979, our band flew in several aircraft -- not that they were all Air Force. We flew in a "regular" helicopter (it looked a bit like the MH-6 Little Bird) and a chinook. We landed in Okinawa in a C-130 cargo plane. And there was a strange little transport plane in the Caribbean that had wings above the windows and pontoons. I remember being so thrilled to fly in something new -- and getting so motion sick in the process! It was so much fun!

Lord, it is so amazing to see all the many flying machines we have come up with over the years. Thank you for giving people the intelligence and creativity to devise them all. And for using the people and their birds to defend our country from the sky.

The U.S.Navy

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

• The U.S. Navy was also founded in 1775 by the Continental Congress.
• The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world.
• Although the Navy doesn't take a position in this fight, two towns claim to be the birthplace of the Navy. The first armed sea vessel of the American Revolution was the Hannah. Beverly, Massachusetts outfitted the ship and Marblehead, Massachusetts provided the crew.
• Most attack submarines are about 30 yards wide and 100 yards long.
• The Secretary of the Navy has been in charge of naming new ships since 1819. Commissioned ships are prefixed with USS, which stands for United States Ship. 
• The Navy SEAL Trident is sometimes called the "Budweiser." They claim it has something to do with the "Basic Underwater Demolition" course. It also somewhat resembles the crest for Anheuser-Busch.
• Neil Armstrong set foot on Korean soil in 1951 after he ejected from his plane which had been hit by anti-aircraft fire. Eighteen years later, he set foot on the moon.
• Known by the Navy as AK3 Stanley Burrell (Petty Officer Third Class Aviation Storekeeper), this man now goes by MC Hammer.
• SEAL Team Six was so named because we didn't want the Soviets to know that we only had two other SEAL Teams. 
• David Farragut, was commissioned in 1800 into the U.S, Navy at the ripe old age of nine. At age 12, he fought in the war of 1812. Abraham Lincoln later made him Vice Admiral and then following the Civil War he became the first Admiral of the Navy.

When I was 20 years old, I toured with a U.S.O. Entertainment group in the Pacific region. While it was dry-docked, we got to perform on the U.S.S. Midway. It was an experience I will never forget. What a massive vessel. My daddy served on the U.S.S. Wasatch in World War II in the Pacific arena. It was really neat to be performing in the vacinity where he had served so long before.

I can't imagine being on the front lines of a major conflict. I do so appreciate those who have served and who plan to do so. Y'all are my heroes.

Lord, you made the seas and all their majesty. You made the sailors who patrol the oceans. Protect these men and women who are risking it all for our freedom. 

 

The U.S. Army

Monday, May 30, 2017

• The Army is older than the country it serves. It was formed in June of 1775 by the Continental Congress. 
• If the US Army were a city, it would be the 10th largest in the United States. Over 1 million people are actively serving in the Army: half in active duty and half in the Army Reserves and National Guard. 
• It is also the second-largest employer behind Wal-Mart (over 2 million). 
• Specialist is the most prevalent rank among soldiers. They make up over one-fourth of active personnel. 
• The service burns through approximately 1 billion gallons of fuel every year. We used about a gallon of fuel per soldier per day during World War II. Today it is over 22 gallons. 
• My father-in-law and my brother-in-law were both in the Army. 

How blessed we are to have such a strong Army. I'm afraid we don't acknowledge them enough. 

Lord, thank you for all the men and women who have served or are currently serving in our U.S. Army. Thank you for the freedoms we have as a result of their dedication and hard work. And thank you that you defend us spiritually against all evil. 

 

Decoration Day

Memorial Day

Monday, May 29, 2017

Yesterday many churches across the land honored the fallen from our military and many special remembrances will occur today. People will place flags and flowers on the grave sites of their family and friends in memory of their service to our country. And well we should. It costs a lot for us to have our freedom. And we must never forget. 

Did you know that "Decoration Day" sprang up after the Civil War? It was later named "Memorial Day" and then later moved to the last Monday of May. It unofficially marks the first day of summer and Labor Day signifies the end. 

Yesterday at church we paused in remembrance of our fallen and played a beautiful rendition of "Taps." That made me wonder about the origin of that tune. And this is some of what I found. 

During the Civil War, the North and the South both had a way to signal "lights out" for the camps. It was typically three beats or "taps" on a drum. Later Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield from the Union Army used the current bugle call to signify the end of day and soon both sides incorporated the call. 

Did you know that "Taps" has lyrics? I could tell you the first verse but I had no idea it had five. 

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Over time "Taps" began to be played at military funerals to signify the close of life. And I personally think it is beautiful. 

I heard this on the television this morning: "Everybody knows that Memorial Day is the time to buy furniture!"

Somehow I missed that along the way. 

But I hope that we don't get so lost in the sales and picnics that we forget our fallen military. 

Lord, thank you for the brave men and women who gave their lives that we might be free. And thank you, too, Lord for your sacrifice which frees us from eternal separation from You. We are so blessed. 

 

Memory Verse 2017 -- Week 21

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Abiding in Christ

 

If you hold to my teaching, 

you are really my disciples.

John 8:31 

What did Jesus teach?

• Love your neighbor
• Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength
• Take the gospel to the ends of the earth

We don't get to pick and chose what we will adhere to and what we will ignore. The Lord's rules are there for a reason and we are to abide by them. So...

Real disciples follow the Lord's teachings. 

Spend the week focusing on this scripture: 

• Read the verse in your Bible. 
• Read the passage before and after it. 
• Write it in your journal. 
• Ask the Lord to show you how it applies to your life. 
• Put it on a piece of paper and post it in a prominent place in your home so that you can see it often. 
• Put the words to music. Make up a tune or use one you already know. Singing always helps in the memory process. It's a left brain / right brain thing. 
• Always memorize the scripture reference with the verse so you can remember where to find it in the Bible. 

King of Kings

Saturday, May 27, 2017

We've looked at three African animals this week that really caught my eye when I visited Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa a few years ago: the elephant, the giraffe, and the lion. The lion, of course, has been known for a very long time as the king of the jungle. 

But who is our "king of the jungle?" 

The King of kings?

The Lord of lords?

It is the creator of the world. It is God, himself. There is no one greater than He. 

Do you know why it is tradition to stand at the performance of the Hallelujah Chorus in Handel's, "Messiah?" Do you remember the words?

• King of kings
• Lord of lords
• And He shall reign forever and ever
• Hallelujah

Do you know anything about the first performance of "The Messiah?"

It premiered in March of 1743 in London, England. Some say that King George II was there and was so moved by the finale that he stood out of respect for the King who had more authority than he did. And, of course, when the king stands, everybody else does, too. 

There is some debate about this story. But it serves to emphasize my point in today's blog. 

• No matter how important we think we are, there is One who is greater still. 
• And He shall reign forever and ever. 
• He, alone, is worthy of our praise. 

Lord, you are the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of peace. Thank you for loving us like you do -- we are so unworthy. Thank you that you are our King! We love you!

Theories abound, the most common being that King George II, attending the London premiere of “Messiah’’ in March of 1743, was so moved by the “Hallelujah’’ that he stood up - and if the king stands, everybody stands. The only problem is that there is no contemporary evidence he was even at the concert; newspapers and eyewitnesses conspicuously fail to report any royal presence.