CLAREMORE —
Love of country is an emotion that is hard for many of us to put into words. In this family, only the bunkmate has traveled abroad. It was January 1, 1953 that he boarded the train headed for New Brunswick,New Jersey, where he would join his crew and sail for Germany. That was all we knew at the moment. Snail mail was the only source of communication. Gradually the unknowns fell into place. He was with the 293rd Engineering Unit in Baumholder, Germany. This camp was where Rommel (the Desert Fox, so named by General Patton) trained his Panzer tank division. His stay was vastly different than those who went to Korea.
It was a long eighteen months, and twenty-three days before he came home. Vaguely knowing that he might be in Ft. Chaffee by a certain day, I arrived a day early, checked into the guest house, and began my search by visiting with the desk clerk. She suggested I just drive, and look for public pay phones, which were everywhere…so I did just that. I was looking at incredible numbers of soldiers, standing in pay telephone lines, all identically dressed on this June day. It was an overwhelming sight, I still remember. I would know only one …O Lord please! After about 15 minutes I saw him on a pay phone…and about that time he saw me…sky blue pickups were not that common back then! This was not a coincidence, but a divine intervention!
July 4th is a very special day to all red-blooded Americans. Consider the real meaning of response and respect for our flag. “Hats off! The flag is passing by! Blue and crimson and white it shines…but more than the flag is passing by. . That which has preceded this present state of celebration included real war…Sea fights, land fights, grim and great, fought to make and save the nation. Weary marches, sinking ships, cheers of victory on dying lips…equal justice, right and law…Stately honor and reverend awe; Sign of a nation, great and strong…pride and glory and honor—all live in the colors to stand or fall. Hats off! The flag is passing by!”(The Flag Goes By). “God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause Your face to shine upon us."(Ps 67:1NIV).
Religion
Faith and patriotism on the Fourth
- Religion
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Southern Baptists re-elect first black president
The Southern Baptist Convention re-elected its first black president, the Rev. Fred Luter Jr., at its annual meeting Tuesday.
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A decade on, Southern Baptists adapt to new role
A decade ago, the Southern Baptist Convention was riding high.
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St. Andrews to host Candlelight service on Christmas Eve
St. Andrews Methodist Church to host Christmas Praise & Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday with snacks. Community invited. A candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. Monday with Pastor Steve Posey to speak. Church is at 9742 East Highway 20, west of Claremore. Questions, call church at (918) 341-5435.
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Dock Dogs highlight 3rd Annual Expo
While “getting your ducks in a row” may be the common euphemism for getting things organize, for Jean Hurst, a more appropriate idiom would be “getting your dogs in a row.”
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Young preacher embraces childhood, religious calling
Ezekiel Stoddard, age 11, is one of a centuries-long tradition of child preachers, long a subject of fascination and debate.
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Ministry provides quilts, prayers
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Women in 2007 joined an interfaith outreach organization called “Prayers & Squares.” The purpose of the group is to combine prayer and a hand tied quilt. The motto is “It’s not about the quilt, it’s about the prayers.”
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Pilot Club donates $2,000 to Rogers County Drug Abuse Program
The Pilot Club of Claremore has partnered with Pilot International Foundation, the Cox Connects Foundation and United Way in providing money to the Rogers County Drug Abuse Program for SMART Boards.
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Five things you should know about Lent
The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, here is some basic information about the weeks leading up to Easter.
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Southern Baptist panel recommends add-on to name
Southern Baptists first considered changing their name in 1903. Leaders have seriously proposed it at least 13 times since then.
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Enid Presbyterians voting on future
Historically, churches have led the way on social issues, providing guidance to Christians on matters of conscience and social importance, referring to the Scripture.
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Southern Baptists re-elect first black president
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