THE LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU AND YOURS.
Rev. Charles Knappenberger, Chaplain, ASA KOREA
May the healing love of God come upon our buddies in need, making them whole in body, mind and spirit; assuring them of His Presence and of His Grace sufficient for their every need. Amen and Amen.
We pray this prayer for those members of our ASAKorea known to be ill at this time: Charles Kolodjeski, Tom Humble, Leon Isles,Preacher Chas. Knappenberger, Larry Swope, Lee Kirby, Jerry VanWagner, Doug Mazany, Vince Lawlor, Paul Bellett, Ed Collins, Al Bradbury, Bill Pridham, Bob Vrablic, Leon Rudolph, J.F."Maxie" McGovern, Bryan Babston, John DiOrio, Bill Howe, Edward Kerns, John Kunick,George Heritage, W.W. "Moose" Miller, Edward W. Hawley, Peter Speroni, Bill Caplain, Danny Valletta, Theodore Darby, Walter Roy, Tony Torres, Jim Strait, Calvin Leeds, Stephen Barner, Alansen Manley, Al Mrozek, David Podschlne, Tony Sheehan and any others who have not informed us in need of prayer.
We Americans pride ourselves in favorite slogans; "Remember the Alamo", "Remember the Maine", "Remember Pearl Harbor", "Remember September 11, 2001"; each of these slogans reflect upon a war involving our nation, the latter one, a terrible terrorist attack on America.
As I write this on Flag Day, June 14, 2004, I reflect upon this day and the events we will observe within the next few weeks; the 54th Anniversary on June 25 of the beginning of The Korean War (the war of our generation, and the one that has brought us together as members of ASAKorea); July 4th, the 228th anniversary of the Independance of our great nation; and, July 27, the 51st anniversary of the Cease Fire that ended the shooting war In Korea.
As a veteran of the ASA during the Korean War, I shall always be grateful to Andy Kavalecs and Dalton Harper, who had the foresight in 1996 to start a reunion group which has brought hundreds of former ASA buddies together as ASAKorea. I cherish reuniting with many of my 'ole' buddies from Detachment Dog, 330th CRC, and friends I met along the way. I am grateful, too, for all the NEW friends I have made over the past eight years. Thank you for being my 'friend' and 'comrade'.
Above all this, I thank Almighty God for allowing us to share so much together. I am strenghtened every time I think of 'you guys' (and your lovely spouses) when I recall the Word of God given through the Psalmist, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!", "How great are Your works, O Lord, how profound Your thoughts.", "I will sing to the Lord all my life, I will sing praise to my God as long as I live", and, "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever."
With these thoughts in mind, may our mutual prayers to Almighty God for one another and for our leaders and for our troops in far off places, be a means binding us together in service to God, our country and our communities.. Keep the faith, dear friends. God bless you all and God bless America.
I would do it just for you
and share with you its beauty
On the days you're feeling blue.
If I could build a mountain
You could call your very own
A place to find serenity
A place to be alone
If I could take your troubles
I would toss them! in the sea
But all these things I'm finding
are impossible for me.
I cannot build a mountain
Or catch a rainbow fair
But let me be what I know best-
A friend who's always there.
Chaplain Knappenberger
St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) wrote:
"Let nothing disturb thee,
Let nothing dismay thee:
All things pass:
God never changes.
Patience attains
All that it strives for:
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing:
God alone suffices."
"Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you." -1Peter 5:7
St. Peter writes in his 1st Letter (5:7): "Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He care about you."
This is certainly good advice for us all.
