Journal of a Brown Sand Sailor
Timothy L. Francis

12/8/06 Basrah, Iraq

Well, I don't know how many Church of England fans are out there, but here's a fine example of the art of wordsmithing from Maj. T. Cole, Force Senior Chaplain, Basrah, Iraq. He stood to give thanks at out Thanksgiving dinner here at the air station.

Before we give thanks to God let me say thank you to you for asking me to do this for you. It is a privilege indeed for a limey like me and a Scottish one at that, to be asked and, looking back as I understand today partly does, to the small group of puritans and adventure seekers that set sail from Plymouth in the Mayflower in 1620 it is great to celebrate with you a time when our histories were linked and to do that here where our countries are once again caught up together in yet another struggle in the saga of human conflict. We do seem to have almost forgiven each other for that rather more unfortunate episode you remember on 4th July!

Let us Pray Heavenly Father we lift up our hearts in thanksgiving to you this night in this strange and troubled land. We are far away from our homes and families and from much that we have to be thankful for and yet we know that the real measure of thankfulness is not how glad we can be when we are surrounded by all the treasure of our lives but rather the thankfulness we can offer you in the face of hardship and difficulty and loss.

For the greatest gifts you have given us follow us even here.

We thank you for the love of our families – our parents, partners and children. This love is not diminished by the miles that separate us. If anything it only makes it stronger in our hearts than ever. Keep them safe O Lord and bear our love and prayers to them as they gather round the heavy tables of home without us.

We thank you for this great nation of America whose birth has changed the world and made all those that have come to its’ shores in the spirit of adventure and in the search of freedom its’ own children. Bless its children now here and wherever they may be and make them a force for good and freedom and peace.

We thank you for the love of the life you have given to all of us that we might have that life in all its’ fullness – to reach for the best that we can do in everything we do and to fashion what you have given us into something truly good in your sight.

Lord far from home though we may be these things sustain us and lighten our grateful hearts when all around us is dark and bare.

And so as we thank you for this food we eat as a sign of this great bounty you have given we would thank you also for what we have found here in this place. The precious comradeship of soldiers and friends that is found only on active duty where we share danger and threat together. May our thanksgiving this night rise up to you in gladness. May it reach across the lands and seas to home and may it shine as a light through our actions into this country and all the world that human beings everywhere may all have cause to be as thankful as we this night.

Amen.

Fair Winds and Following Sands!

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