By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564
The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Psalm 29:11
I hope you are having a very productive spring season getting your vegetable and flower plants ready for planting. I, also, hope that any frost that is going around the state hasn’t affected you in any way.
As it is the month of May, we, as Grangers, ready ourselves and our meetings for memorials. Memorials for loved ones and those service men and women who have passed on to the “Great Grange above.”
It is fitting that we remember loved ones, and members of the armed forces, but instead of just remembering the military in one group, may I suggest that you include four newly commissioned Lieutenants in the army who gave their lives so that many would live.
They are known as the “Four Chaplains,” and they died on February 3, 1943, when the USAT Dorchester was torpedoed carrying troops to Europe during World War II. As the ship was sinking, and the troops were getting to the lifeboats, these chaplains (1-Rabbi, 2-Protestant ministers, 1-Priest) were passing out life preservers. When the preservers ran out, they gave up their life preservers to the next four men in line.
Survivors said later that they witnessed the four chaplains on the deck, arms linked, feet braced against the deck, praying and offering encouragement to those men in the lifeboats.
During this time of remembrance in your Grange and in your personal life, please remember the heroism and selflessness of these four men of God. Also, remember that they were of different faiths “working” for the same God. If we choose to emulate these four chaplains, what a difference we could make in the little world around us.
Remember, God loves us all!!
Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”
Benediction: “Father, please don’t help us get over it; help them get through it. Amen.”
Thought for the month: May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
An Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity