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| In Memory of PFC CODY GRATER |
| 31.7.07 |
Our church family mourns the loss of one of our young members. PFC Cody Grater was killed in action in Iraq. He was one of several members of our church in the military. We have been praying for him as we do for the others. The Lord saw fit to bring him home sooner than we preferred. It saddens us greatly. We currently continue to pray for Megan Sissum, Peter Bandoo, Caleb Roman, Marius Scott and Nicardo Hamilton. The story from TBO.com follows ( by JOSH POLTILOVE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jul 31, 2007): SPRING HILL - A 20-year-old Bronze Star-winning paratrooper from Spring Hill died Sunday when his guard position was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade near Baghdad.
Pfc. Cody C. Grater was a vehicle driver with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division.
"Our son died doing what he was proud of," Larry L. Decker and Anita D.
Lewis, his stepfather and mother, said in a statement. "It was his goal to make
the Army his career, which he loved. He was proud of serving his country."
Grater has received the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
His unit will hold a memorial service in Iraq on Friday. Grater, who joined the Army in April 2006, finished Motor Transport Operator Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., a month later.
He reported to his division in August 2006 and was assigned to the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
"Pfc. Cody Grater was an exemplary soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division," said Lt. Jason Gardel, rear detachment commander of 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "He served his country honorably and will long be remembered by his leaders and fellow paratroopers.
"He was eager to learn and excelled at all aspects of his chosen profession. Pfc. Grater always went the extra mile to help out his comrades."
This leaves us a bit numb and regretting that we haven't done more for our troops. Especially the ones from our church. We do pray regularly for them, but we need to write them and send them reminders of home. I remember Cody wanted cereal one time. I also remember the Sunday before he left. We gathered around him for prayer.
I often joke that we bring people into the church, they get saved, and then they join the military. I joke, and it seems true at times, Megan and Caleb also joined and soon after left for the armed forces. I must add, we are honored to have them be a part of our church family.
***Note: Anyone who is anti-Iraq war or anti-troops, do not dare to comment, I will not allow stupidity. I will leave it at that since I really feel like saying more, but God's Spirit restrains me. UPDATE: Hernando Today Article (more detail) Labels: Friends, Military, USA |
posted by pregador27 @ 20:29   |
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| Losing an Old Friend Thanks to New Friends |
| 25.12.06 |
Today I had to say good-bye to an old friend: my old Florida State University jacket. I have worn it since 1997 when I bought it on a colder day when I was team minister for the East Bay Buccaneers. I loved that old jacket, but this Christmas I was surprised at work when my friends gave me a present to open and demanded my ratty-old-friend. They tore up the old one when they gave me the new one.
The old one was special (like a friend), but this one is more special. The old one I bought for myself. This one was the gift from friends. I will treasure this one for years to come (Lord willing). I want to thank my wonderful friends (and co-workers): Sarah, Krista, Diana, Vicki and Herman. They are the best!
Labels: Friends, Holidays, Sports |
| posted by pregador27 @ 15:58 |
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| Little Know Facts About Canadia |
| 1.12.06 |
 
Did you know:
- That it's actually Canada, not Canadia?
- They DO NOT use igloos year-round in Canada?
- There are times they do not have snow in Canada- there really is a Summer!
- Not everyone plays hockey in Canada
- It is NOT one of the 50 states in the USA
- They do NOT drive on the left hand side of the road (That's England- and they say those of us who are Polish are backwards!)
- There are 10 provinces (akin to our states in the USA) and three territories (the territories have basically no people, don't really get that one, but that's how it is)
- That is a maple leaf on their flag, and Toronto has a hockey team names the Maple Leafs- don't quite get that either, shouldn't be Maple Leaves? I'm sure a Canadian will explain that to me
- Quebec is liberal and wants to secede- there is little chance that they will be forced into remaining through a civil war like the USA forced the Southern States back in the 1860's (The War of the Northern Aggression- the name true Southerners recognize)
- Canadians do play soccer (occasionally)
- Canadians typically use CFL rules when playing a pick-up game of football
- John Candy, William Shatner and Michael J. Fox are Canadians
- Canadians do not always say "eh" after every sentence
- Only some Canadians say "out" and "about" with that cool accent
That's all I have right now, but this is in honor of Rand and Twinkle Moose, whom I visited in West Palm Beach while they were down due to Rand's job. They are wonderful and we had a great time of fellowship. They are found on the net at A Form of Sound Words (Rand) and Teach Me to Pray (Twinkle Moose).
It was good to find that Rand is a human, and not just words on a blog. I found that we have more in common than I realized and it seemed that we were on the same page on many things, as were Twinkle Moose and I. They are a wonderful couple.
I look forward to traveling to Canada one day with my family and visiting with them in their hometown. Pics included are me by the tiny airplane I took back to beautiful Tampa, FL, West Palm Beach, FL, Rand and I and finally Rand and his wonderful wife Twinkle Moose!
Labels: Friends |
| posted by pregador27 @ 06:52 |
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