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| Christ and Soldier by Ottavius Delpino |
| WELCOME |
| Prayer of a Soldier in France My shoulders ache beneath my pack (Lie easier, Cross, upon His back). I march with feet that burn and smart (Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart). Men shout at me who may not speak (They scourge Thy back and smote Thy cheek). I may not lift a hand to clear My eyes of salty drops that sear. (Then shall my fickle soul forget The Agony of Bloody Sweat?) My rifle hand is stiff and numb (From Thy pierced palm red rivers come). Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me Than all the hosts of land and sea. So let me render back again This millionth of Thy gift. Amen. Sgt Joyce Kilmer, born December 6, 1886 in New Jersey, was killed in action in France, Jul 30, 1918, shortly after composing "Prayer of a Soldier in France." The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction. |
| Father Francis J. Fish, C.M., Catholic Chaplain in World War II, was so inspired by Joyce Kilmer's poem and by a small painting he'd seen outside Florence, Italy, that at the war's end he commissioned the Italian painter Ottavius Delpino to paint "Christ and Soldier." Father Fish wanted to depict the sheer, utter weariness of the infantry man exhausted in combat, dog tired from days and nights in the trenches, dirty for honest lack of a bath, forced to plod on to new positions on the battle line, and inexpressively heartsick and despondent at the futility of his efforts to bring peace to the world that apparently could care less. His only solace and abiding strength is in the invisible yet known prescence of the Christ who walks beside him. With the invaluable aid of a combat veteran who posed for the painting, Delpino was able to capture on canvas the soul-stirring manhood of the not often praised and too little appreciated American doughboy. The original painting was donated to Chaplain LTC Harold F. Roth who donated it to the Post Chapel at Fort Richardson, Alaska. It now hangs on the office wall of the Post Chaplain in Bldg 3. May we all endeavor to make our work and worship one, and thus put content into the phrase "for God and Country." Romans 10:9~That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and Believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be praised. Proverbs 14:34~Righteousness exhalts nations, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Genesis 12:3~I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. II Peter 1:2~Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. AMEN A copy of the above painting, prayer, history and scripture was provided by the Post Chapel at FT Richardson, Alaska on April 9, 2003. I extend my gratitude for all their assistance with providing the information to this beautiful and inspiring painting. |
| A copy of this painting was turned into stained glass and is one of many stained glass windows within the Post Chapel. This was my first encounter of the painting. The next time I saw the painting was at a Prayer Breakfeast where for the first time I heard the story above. It really does stir the soul and make you think about the price of freedom and renews your appreciation for the American soldiers of past and present. Their long suffering for "God and Country" is so under appreciated yet they still drive on. It also renews and gives me great satisfaction that I am an American Soldier who proudly serves his country for the betterment of all Americans and not just myself. My hat goes out to those who serve in our armed forces so that we may be free from tyrany and oppression. Thank You for your sacrifices. I pray that God Blesses you always and keeps you safe. I give glory to God and our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Galatians 5:1 Serve whole heartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will recieve an inherentance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 Those who hope on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 |
| DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL; THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS; THAT AMOUNG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PERSUIT OF HAPPINESS. FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS DECLARATION, WITH FIRM RELIEANCE ON THE PROTECTION OF THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE, WE MUTUALLY PLEDGE TO EACH OTHER, OUR LIVES OUR FORTUNES, AND OUR SACRED HONOR. JULY 4, 1776 |
| A Prayer for Our Country Almighty God, you have given us this great land as our heritage. We humbly pray that we may always remember your generosity and faithfully do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Defend our liberties and strengthen the resolve of the people who have come from throughout the world to make America their home. Lead us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Help us to appreciate the opprotunities that are ours as we struggle to bring harmony to an unsettled world. May we balance our concern for justice with a willingness to display mercy, and may our concern for sevurity be tempered with a willingness to take risks which will produce worthwhile changes for the good of all people. O'Lord, we pray for your guidance as we work together for the best interest of our communities, our nation, our world, and the ultimate goal of peace. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful and in troubled times may our deepest trust be in You. AMEN. Chaplain's Service Book of Prayers |
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