Chaplains Corner
Memorial Day is coming up. This can be a very difficult time for many of us. Of course, it is important to honor our fallen comrades, but also let us remember why they sacrificed. They sacrificed for your freedom. They sacrificed so that you could live, and live fully.
For some of you, it may feel like, why wasn’t it you? Why was it them and not you? I want to tell you today, God has a purpose for you. There is hope. There is life. You are here for a reason. And our friends who have departed would want you to live your life, fully.
So do.
This Memorial Day, live and celebrate freedom. This Memorial Day, honor our comrades by living fully. And honor them by reaching out to a fellow veteran, service member, or family member of a service member to show them love, support, and enjoy this life and freedom together in camaraderie. Honor them by serving others in some way and showing love to those around you.
Mental Health Awareness Month is in May, but these things don’t stop being true after it: you are not alone, and it’s ok to not be ok. That is true in May, on Memorial Day, and every other day.
I am praying for peace, good memories remembered, and for each of you to know you are not alone and to feel valued and with a great purpose.
Some verses to reflect on:
Honoring our fallen comrades and remembering their sacrifice:
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
When you are feeling loss, brokenness, sadness, or grieving:
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
When you are struggling with why you weren't in their place instead- the Lord has a purpose for you if you're here right now so remember and focus on this truth, and the hope of now and future ahead:
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
This month is Mental Health Awareness Month. Please know it’s ok to not be ok, and you’re not alone. There’s help in your community and beyond. God is always there and hears you. Here are some resources beyond the crisis line (scroll down further for info on the crisis line) that can help you or someone you know heal:
SOF Missions has upcoming clinics and whole health care even if you can’t attend a clinic that may be helpful to some of our members. Find out more and apply here: https://sofmissions.org/clinic/
Mighty Oaks Foundation is another organization with retreats and aftercare. You can find out more and apply here: https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/calendar/
Merging Vets and Players is an organization that has a local LA chapter and chapters in several cities around the nation, as well as virtual. They have a weekly peer to peer program for combat veterans and former professional athletes. You can find out more and sign up at: https://vetsandplayers.org
This is also Military Appreciation Month.
For all of those still serving in the military- thank you. From your comrades who served, and those who didn't- we appreciate you.
Thank you and Upcoming
Thank you to everyone who was present for Francis Kilduff's 100th birthday celebration! It was a wonderful celebration and it meant a lot to him.
Gift Baskets for members in senior living homes-
If you know of members who are in homes like CalVet, can you let me know?
Chaplain Dov brought up making gift baskets/packages for Jimmy Weldon and others at homes. It would be a wonderful thing to let them know we are thinking of them, especially as they can't make meetings much or at all anymore. Any ideas or help in making this happen is appreciated!
Prayer requests
Pray. Whatever is going on, in any place, in any circumstance, God can move in ways that we simply could never make happen.
Please pray for our members that have recently been on our prayer list- George Cantero, Lidia Anderson, Jane Austin and her family, Rob Kelly, and anyone else you may know of who needs prayers. Also please pray for those who may have silent or anonymous prayer requests, as well as those who may be mourning or suffering at this time.
Please pray for our leaders and upcoming leaders at the post, for our community, our city, and for those leading our cities, country, and workplaces.
If anyone wants to pray together let me know. You could have a need you want prayer for, or we can pray for overall needs, our post, our leaders, our city, etc. or all of it. Prayer is good for all of it! God hears!
Thank you to those who showed up for the recent prayer night at the post. If you'd like to have another prayer gathering, please let me know.
You can submit a prayer request here with as much info as you’re comfortable with: https://form.jotform.com/ChaplainAL43/prayerrequest
You can also reach out directly to chaplain@post43.org if you'd rather do that.
What would you like the chaplain to offer at the post? I would love to hear what would help you all!
It's ok to not be ok.
If you are feeling like you are in crisis or need help, the crisis line is available 24/7: dial or text 988
Praying for each of you, for our leadership, and for us as a community. May God make His presence known in your personal lives, in our post, and in our community, and may His shalom, love, and joy be felt in ways like never before. May He heal and protect you mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I pray for God’s revival in each person and for us as a community. In His mighty, precious, and unmatched Name we pray.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Blessings and Gratitude,
Donna Callaway, Chaplain