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| O, Canada... |
| 4.5.08 |
Today my family was off MacDill Air Force Base in a Yacht. No, I am not rich and famous, it was a cruise. We watched the annual air show from off-shore. These are some pictures I took with my HP Photosmart 735 camera. They are photos of the Canadian Air Force's "Snow Birds." Impressive demonstration.
Labels: Canada, Military, USA |
posted by pregador27 @ 21:04   |
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| PFC Cody Grater 3/2/1987-7/29/2007 |
| 11.8.07 |
Today was a tough day. We were at the funeral of PFC Cody Grater at Spring Hill Baptist Church. I had the privilege of praying during the service. I also had the honor of meeting and observing several men from our nation's armed forces.
The funeral was very well attended. Even more overwhelming was the number of people lining the street holding American flags and showing support.
Upon arrival to the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, the burial service commenced. The heat was oppressive, but I kept thinking about the soldiers performing the ceremony- they had to stay perfectly still and follow through with disciplined actions while in the direct sunlight and in their dress uniforms. I also thought about those soldiers Cody left behind. They face this heat and worse in Iraq. They also have to beware of the enemy- an enemy that is like a cockroach- hides under rocks and in crevasses.
Cody's two cousins, one in the Air Force, the other in the Army, were part of the ceremony. They were part of the group that folded the flag and carried the casket to the grave site. They were able to keep it together until Cody was lowered into the ground. During the service they had a 21-gun salute and played Taps. That was the most difficult part for me. Between the honor or the guns and the sadness of Taps- the finality- I could scarcely hold back the tears.
When Cody's body was lowered into the grave, his cousins lost their composure and were allowed by the Sergeant to be dismissed from their formation to join their family. It left a formation with only four men, but it was definitely the right thing to do. Cody's sister, Cheyanne, was so strong during the whole series of events- the wake and the service at the church as well as the cemetery, but when they lowered Cody's casket, she also was overwhelmed, as was her mother. I think it was the finality of it all.
The good thing is that it is final, but it is also temporary for those who know Christ. Cody was saved before he joined the Army and that means we can see him in heaven. For those who do not know Jesus, the only way to see Cody again is to place your faith in Christ. But it cannot be just to see Cody- it must be by placing your trust in Jesus as the only remedy for your sin. Realizing that He alone is able to bring you to salvation.
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." -James 1.12
***UPDATE: The St. Petersburg Times has an article entitled: "Fallen Soldier: 'No war where he is now'"- a title taken from a quote out of my prayer during the service. What an honor.Labels: Military, USA |
| posted by pregador27 @ 20:10 |
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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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