Getting Ready

It is well known that the Marine infantryman is one of the best trained troop any country can have, but even the best trained combat professional may decide to take that extra step in getting ready for battle.
Here are some Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade praying just before boarding the Super Stallion (CH-53E) helicopter that is going to take them into battle deep into the Helmand province of Afghanistan. This is in preparation for the offensive that begun on 3 July.

Regimental Combat Team 3 Photo by Philippe E. Chasse

Surely the ACLU will probably file a law suit against the Marine Corps because these Marines violated the separation of Church and State while engaged in a governmentally sanctioned event. And I hope the ACLU will go straight to these Marines in Afghanistan and tell them personally they cannot pray!

I attach my prayers for these men as they prepare for battle.

May the Lord walk next each one of you and protect you.
May He insure victory and safe return of each of you to your loved ones.
May He embrace those He will receive in His gracious arms.

And these are my thoughts!
Frank “Semperpapa”