Islander2a

***Peace And Tranquility***
*The thought Peace and Tranquility in the world is* *very much needed. There has been to much* *violence and killing in this world for centuries.* *Many young men and women in this world has given* *there lives in the name of* *" PEACE "* *Centuries has come and gone, and there is still* *" WAR " raging all over this planet.* *Mankind must come to terms with each other and find* *a solution to this* *" DILEMMA "* *We are now in the 21st Century and there is still* *the violence and killing...* *When will this all end?????* *Written by: Joe Bongcayao* *18 Dec. 2000* *2145hrs.*

***Sigua Falls, Guam***

***Soldier's Deck Of Cards***
The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards during a church service. The Chaplain was upset that the soldier was playing cards in God's house and after the service, he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major. The Chaplain explained to the Major what he had seen. *The Major told the young soldier he would have to be punished if he could not explain himself.* *The young soldier told the Major that during the battle, he had neither a Bible or a Prayer Book so he would use his deck of cards and explained:* *"You see, Sir, when I look at the Ace, it tells me that there is one God and no other.* *When I see the "2" it reminds me that there are two parts to the Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament.* The "3" tells me of the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The "4" reminds me of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. When I see the "5" it tells me of the Five Unwise Virgins who were lost and that five were saved. The "6" makes me mindful that God created the earth in just six days, and God said that it was good. *When I see the "7" it reminds me that God rested on the seventh day.* As I look at the "8" it reminds me that God destroyed all life by water except for eight people, Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their three son's wives. When I see the "9" I think of the nine lepers that God healed. *There were ten lepers in all, but only one stopped to thank Him.* The "10" reminds me of the Ten Commandments carved in stone by the hand of God. The "JACK" makes me remember the Prince of Darkness. Like a roaring lion, he devours those that he can. When I look at the "QUEEN," I see The Church, The Bride of Jesus. As I look at the last card, "The King," *it reminds me that Jesus Is Lord Of Lords and King Of Kings."* There are 365 spots on a deck of cards, and that is the number of days in each year. There are 52 cards to a deck and that is the number of weeks in a year. There are 12 picture cards and that is the number of months in a year. There are 4 different suits in a deck and that is the number of seasons in a year... And so, the young soldier then said to the Major, "You see, Sir, my intentions were honorable. My deck of cards serves as my BIBLE, my PRAYER BOOK and my ALMANAC. Most importantly my deck of cards reminds me that I need JESUS 365 days, 52 weeks and 12 months a year and that I should always PRAY 4 others."

***Freedom Is Not Free***
*I watched the flag pass by one day,* *It fluttered in the breeze;* *A young Marine saluted it,* *And then he stood at ease.* *I looked at him in uniform,* *So young, so tall, so proud;* *With hair cut square and eyes alert,* *He'd stand out in any crowd.* *I thought ... how many men like him* *Had fallen through the years?* *How many died on foreign soil?* *How many mothers' tears?* *How many pilot's planes shot down?* *How many foxholes were soldiers graves?* *No ... Freedom is not Free.* *I heard the sound of Taps one night,* *When everything was still;* *I listened to the bugler play,* *And felt a sudden chill;* *I wondered just how many times* *That Taps had meant "Amen,"* *When a flag had draped a coffin* *Of a brother or a friend;* *I thought of all the children,* *Of the mothers and the wives,* *Of fathers, sons and husbands ...* *With interrupted lives.* *I thought about a graveyard* *At the bottom of the sea,* *Of unmarked graves in Arlington ...* *No ... Freedom is not Free!* *~ Author Unknown ~*

***A Soldier's Prayer***
*We Call On Him Look God ...* *I have never spoken to You,* *But now I want to say,* *"How do you do!"* *You see God,* *They told me you did not exist,* *And ... like a fool,* *I believed all of this.* *Last night from a shell hole,* *I saw your sky.* *I figured right then,* *They had told me a lie.* *Had I taken the time* *To see the things you made,* *I would know they weren't calling* *A spade a spade.* *I wonder, God ...* *If You would shake my hand;* *Somehow I feel,* *That you will understand.* *Strange, I had to come* *To this hellish place,* *Before I had time* *To see your face.* *Well, I guess there isn't* *Much more to say;* *But I am sure glad,* *God, I met you today.* *I guess the zero hour* *Will soon be here,* *But I am not afraid* *Since I know "You" are near.* *The signal ... well, God,* *I will have to go;* *I love you lots,* *This I want you to know.* *Looks like this will be* *A horrible fight; Who knows ...* *I may come To your house tonight.* *Though I wasn't friendly* *With you before,* *I wonder, God,* *If you would wait at the door.* *Look ... I am crying!* *Me ... shedding tears!* *I wish I had known you* *These many years.* *Well, I have to go now, God ...* *Goodbye.* *Strange ... since I have met you,* *I am no longer afraid to die.* *~ Author Unknown ~* *This poem was found on the body of a nineteen-year-old American soldier in Vietnam.*