JOINT SERVICE HONORS COMMAND

Transcription

1 JOINT SERVICE HONORS COMMAND Monthly Newsletter December 2013 Volume 1213 If you would like to submit a column for this newsletter, please contact the editor: SSG Susan Planas, eskrima2@gmail.com "Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause " --December 2, 1863, Abraham Lincoln s letter to George Opdyke, Mayor, New York City **************************** Hubbard-Baro Memorial Golf Tournament On November 4th 2004, Jeremiah Baro and Jared Hubbard were killed in action in Iraq. On the first anniversary of the day in which the two great friends made the ultimate sacrifice in fulfilling their commitment to our great nation, a group of close friends struggled to conceive a way to both honor and remember them. A golf tournament, on Veteran s Day, was deemed to be a fitting atmosphere for the friends of the fallen to congregate and celebrate their lives. November 11, 2013 Capt Espinosa CSM Pfeifer Capt Espinosa, Capt Davenport, CPT Planas and SSG Planas They walk among Us MSgt John Roberts I was a Junior in high school when WWII began on Dec. 7, Young men were permitted to sign-up for military service at age 17, although they would not be called into service before their 18 th birthday. Page 1

2 I joined the Army Air Corps and entered active service Nov. 3, They would not let me fly because of being red and green color blind. Took a Liberty Ship to Liverpool, England and six days later joined the 9 th Air Force in Dijon, France. I worked in the 443 rd Bombardment Squadron, 320 th Bombardment Group. I serviced the aircraft bombing and radar equipment in the bombers before each mission. (Our squardron won a Presidential Citation for knocking out a bridge from 20,000 ft using the Norden Bomb site.) After the war in Europe was over, I was scheduled to go to the Pacific Conflict. Fortunately, the war ended before I got on board ship. I became part of the Occupational Forces until coming home and was honorably discharged on May 20, JSHC has been very special to me from the day I joined. My wife is a friend of Richard Miller s wife. While visiting, Richard learned that I was a veteran and invited me to join JSHC. I can honestly say that I have never met a finer bunch of men and women who I am proud to serve with at JSHC. MILITARY JARGON Exhaust Sample: When you tell a soldier to take a plastic bag and attempt to retrieve exhaust from a military vehicle. It's fun to watch. Gidunk: Candy and garbage food or a place to buy it. John Wayne: Small can opener for c-rat cans. Blanket Party: When a member of your group goofs up the entire group gets punished. The guy was captured and a blanket thrown over him. Then the whole team gets in a free kick or punch to reinforce their feelings. CHAPLAINS CORNER: Christmas is supposed to bring Peace on Earth, but all we have to do is look around and we see the opposite of peace. Look within and we don t feel at peace often enough, do we? Yet the angel declared, Peace on Earth, good will toward men! Wouldn t peace mean no wars, no death, no killing, no famine, no sickness, no pain, no problems, no worries? Or did God mean something else? A different kind of peace? A peace not dependent on circumstances? A peace that surpasses all understanding? The baby born on Christmas Day grew up to say, I am leaving you with a gift peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don t be troubled or afraid. John 14: times the Bible says, Fear not. That s one for each day of the year! God does not want us to be afraid. How can we experience God s peace? The Bible gives us 5 ways to have peace on earth 1. Ask for God s Provision In James 4:2, the Bible says, You have not because you ask not And when you ask, you ask for the wrong motive! Most people only talk to God when they are in trouble! God wants us to come to Him at all times. Heaven is very peaceful. Peace comes from God. Christmas reminds us peace is from God. 2. Obey his Principles The Jewish Scriptures state, Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble I follow your commands. Psalm 119: If you want your new car to run right you have to follow the owner s manual. Why do we think we can disregard God s Owner s Manual and have peace? Peace of mind and heart comes when we obey God. That s a day-by-day choice. 3. Trust God s Plans Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 I have to keep learning to let God be God! I stress a lot less when I let Him run the world. If you knew why evil happens would you have peace? If you knew why typhoons or hurricanes or senseless shootings happen would it bring you peace? Probably not. We would still be angry or sad at the pain and loss. Peace does not come from understanding but from trusting! How do you spell peace? T-R-U-S-T. Page 2

3 4. Recognize God s Presence Stress is much greater when you face things all alone! Recognize God is WITH YOU! After all, that is the meaning of Christmas! The Hebrew Bible says, The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel means God with us! Christmas shouts peace when you realize God is with us! If God is with you, you are never alone. It s much easier to face what you are going through. As Psalm 23 says, yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil, for thou art WITH ME. Peace is in His presence. 5. Accept His Pardon. This too, is what Christmas is about. The New Testament says, Today in the city of David, a Savior has been born! Luke 2:11. The angel told Mary, You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 Christmas means a SAVIOR has been born! The Jewish prophet Habakkuk declared, The righteous shall live by faith. I can attest that God s peace comes to me through faith in the Savior born to us in the City of David. Scripture declares, Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives? You delight to show mercy! Micah 7:18 And that baby born in the City of David said, The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 Accept his peace today. I encourage you to attend a house of worship during this holiday season. Me personally, I enjoy singing Christmas Carols on Christmas Eve and hearing the Christmas story. If you do not have a church to attend, I invite you to mine. God bless us all. Chaplain Steve Bryant MILITARY QUOTES Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounded determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God. President Franklin D. Roosevelt A MOMENT IN HISTORY: The Last River Okay, you guys, listen up we move out at 04:00. Be ready, check your gear grab some ammo and rations. At 04:00 you move out across frozen ground, covered nearly knee deep with snow. As you plow your way across the field, you wonder what else the snow covers. Is that only rotting cabbages you re stepping on will the next step be a schumine or, worse, a dreaded bouncing betty? You stumble on then comes the order attack, attack spread out keep moving attack! And you do until a battle is won. But, tired as you are, you can t rest you must prepare for what comes next. And just as you are ready to catch your breath, comes those dreaded words, put on your gear, we re shoving off. And again, you plow your way through the snow and again comes the order attack, attack, keep moving, spread out, attack! And again you do until another battle is won. Then, a rumor spreads that a river crossing is to be made. Your first thought is how sorry you feel for the sad sacks who will have to do that then the rumor also says that you will be the sad sacks making that crossing. And your mind s eye turns to sight of a raging torrent in a river filled with ice water from melting snow and you wonder how can an infantry dogface get across such a river. Then you slog your way to the banks of that swollen river, and there you find the little flatbottomed rowboats you climb aboard as ordered, grab an oar, and literally row as if your life depends on it. Some of you reach the other shore, clamber out of the boat, through barbed wire, up a bank or cliff, try to re-group, as the order comes, keep moving, spread out, and once again attack, attack, keep firing, attack. And you do until another battle is won. Over hill and valley, through village and farm, over other rivers, you keep moving deeper and deeper into the enemy s homeland. Until the last river is crossed and the final battle is won and something strange called peace is declared. Page 3

4 At last it is time to go home home, so long yearned for, but now almost a strange place. You return, get a job, go to school, marry and start a family. You become farmers, doctors, teachers, engineers, factory workers, artists, writers, and some even politicians. You build cars and trucks and roads to drive them on you build airplanes and airports, railroads and trains. You build houses and factories, schools and universities, and churches. In the process, you built a nation. But not only did you build your own nation, you helped your former enemies rebuild theirs. Through all of this, you paid your taxes, and like a good G.I., griped a bit. And then, maybe all too soon, the years have passed, as years all want to do. You find that once sharp eyesight that served so well on many a night patrol has dimmed with time. And the once powerful muscles that carried you over terrain no self respecting mountain goat would tackle, have turned to mush. The once great heart that pumped so much adrenalin through your body has tired and slowed. At the end of your final battle, you find there is one more river to cross the last river. You wonder what lies beyond that river no scouts have ever returned with a report. Mixed with your wonder may be a little fear And then the father reaches down and says, Have no fear, my child. I will carry you over your last river. Hold my hand and you will cross safely. And you do, and when you ve crossed over, you shall dwell in the house of the lord forever. Amen Russell Bryant (Chaplain Steve Bryant s Father) U.S. Third Army, General George Patton 94th Infantry Division Saw action in The Battle of the Bulge Earned Bronze Star Combat wounded crossing the Saar River in Germany, awarded the Purple Heart Buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Nov PATRIOTIC POEM: The Sound of Tears The sun had reached its zenith Tall wispy grasses had released the morning dew A brisk wind slides down the slopes of the hills High on a nearby mound A national standard flaps briskly announcing its presence. Huddled together stand a group of solemn mourners A mere moment ago, three thunderous volleys announced the salute to one who had served his nation Then in that crisp autumn morning A musical brassy sounding note penetrated the air The tune sounded mournful and solemn It was a call sounding a final assembly A time to rest for a season As each note proceeded from the bell of the bugle they took the form of aching tears falling reaching the ground in finality The mourners slowly trudged to their vehicles departing this sacred ground. The wind kissed the tops of the grasses appearing as waves on the sea. Behind them was left one they loved He will be remembered by some forgotten by many He has joined others who await the resurrection There will be a time of joy and reunion. 11 December 2013 MCPO John W. Dudek Joint Service Honors Command Page 4

5 AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: The following awards or decorations were presented during the month of November The JSHC SERVICE RIBBON MSgt Al Clark LTC Lay Prum The DEPARTMENT of DEFENSE HONORS RIBBON With ONE BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER Completion of 50 services MSgt Al Clark The DEPARTMENT of DEFENSE HONORS RIBBON TSgt Pete Arredondo SSG Wendell Bobst SGT Gene Lehnick The JSHC COMMENERATIVE RIBBON SGT Gene Lehnick STATISTICS: November: During this month, we completed 5 solo Honor Services and 5 Special Events, 1 in the support of the National Guard for a Total 0f 11 services for the Month of November NEXT DRILL: The next drill will be on Wednesday 18 December 2013 at 7 PM at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building. Uniform is class B. RECRUITING: The Recruiting Team will resume in January DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS: Lt Col Joel Hohenshelt 17 Dec CPO Arthur Cowan 17 Dec CPL Tigran Saponjyan 18 Dec CPT Kim Pennington 23 Dec MCPO John Dudek 31 Dec and Dakota behind Me-n-Ed s Pizza. We will order off the menu and pay for our own meals. A head count is needed as soon as possible. It is open to all members and their spouse or significant other. Please CCMSgt Dean Harley at deanharley@att.net ASAP or call his cell at (559) ******************* WEBSITE: We have made major changes to the website. Please visit the site at Be sure to REFRESH the screens so that the changes will appear. ********************* COMMAND STAFF: Brigadier General Dean Murphy, Acting National Commander dean@middleeastconnection.org Colonel Dale Neumann, Chief of Staff, California Brigade daleneumann@att.net Colonel Ken Hendrix, Chief of Staff, National Command ken@hendrixtech.com Lieutenant Colonel Joel Hohenshelt, 1st Battalion Commander joelhohenshelt@yahoo.com Lieutenant Colonel Larry Branam, Recruiting Officer lbranam@att.net Comments and Suggestions: If you wish to contact the editor, please call SSG Susan Planas at or her at eskrima2@gmail.com UPCOMING EVENTS: Our annual Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, DEC. 15th at 16:00 Hrs. (4:00 P.M.) It will be at Yosemite Falls Café in Granite Park on Cedar Ave between Ashlan Page 5