[willowbrook] from a Chaplin in Iraq

[Doug Taylor]

>From a coworker...


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 2:09 PM
Subject: a needed prayer

All,

Greg Long is the youth minister at my church
and a good friend. He is married with 5 young
children ages 2 - 9. Greg was deployed to
Iraq/Kuwait a couple of months ago as a
chaplain with his unit.  He has since been
promoted to Deputy Command Chaplin for his
area.  This means he is over 16 other
chaplains and around 7000 soldiers. His
duties require quite a bit of travel, which
is extremely dangerous.  He is responsible
for conducting services, counseling soldiers,
and performing RAMP ceremonies.  A RAMP
ceremony is a prayer service that honors
fallen US soldiers, who are referred to as
"Angels". The ceremony is conducted as the
bodies are loaded onto the plane for
transport back to the States.  The "Angels"
are treated with reverence, respect and
dignity at every moment.

It is thought, but he can not confirm it,
that Greg conducts or is a part of every RAMP
ceremony for every fallen soldier.  For him,
it is a tremendous honor to show the respect
for the soldiers who have given the ultimate
sacrifice for freedom.

When an Angel arrives, Greg has to log all of
the personal effects of the soldiers and
assist in the mortuary.  This is taking a
tremendous emotional toll on him.

In his email below, Greg says he is praying
for strength because so many others are
looking to him for that strength and comfort
and encouragement.

Please pray for strength and safety for Greg
and all of our troops.

Thanks,

Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Long
Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 5:01 AM

Hey gang,

How is everything on that side of the world?
I hope things are going great. I just got
finished with my 10am service and it was
awesome. We have a great praise band led by a
2 star General and they do a great job.

This morning I spoke on prayer and boy do we
need that right now. This last week has been
very difficult. Monday 2 soldiers in my unit
we killed. These guys were so young, only 20
& 25. They have only been in country 4 weeks.
I was out at the TMEP for 2 nights waiting
for the angels to arrive. While I was there
they brought 2 other angels in from another
unit. As I was helping the mortuary affairs
soldiers log in there personal effects, I
noticed the picture one was carrying. It was
a picture of his 2 young girls. I broke down,
because they looked Calynn & Campbell. Early
Thursday morning I did the RAMP for our 2
angels. They were being escorted home by
their best friend, who the family had
requested. As I sat and talked to him about
his responsibilities and duties as an escort
I thanked God that this wasn't me. This young
man has to escort his 2 best friends bodies
home, bury them and then come back to the
fight. What a heavy burden. This is the price
of freedom! I never really understood that
until I came over here. I have already seen
things I prayed I never would have to. I pray
God will give me the strength to make it
through this. I have too, the soldiers look
to there Chaplain during these times and I
have to stay strong. It is just so hard,
because we are human to. I read Psalm 91
everyday and encourage my soldiers too as
well. It has become known as the soldiers
prayer. We need your prayers now more than
ever. With the election coming up, we have
been told to expect more violence. I know you
are praying, because I get your emails. They
are so encouraging. I told Lisa that I look
forward to them. It is how I make it day by
day. Yesterday I got a package from Lisa. It
contained a video that she had made of the
kids. She also vid eoed some of the kids at
church. It was great. I sat there and watched
it 3 times, wishing I could be there, but
knowing that God had me here for a reason.
Well I guess I better close for now. I have
just went under 100 days until I get to come
home for R & R. I love each one of you and
thank you for the prayers. See you in
January.

Love Greg