Comments for A Prayer for Soldiers at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 16 out of 16 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sat, 25 May 2013 06:50:05 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-3160 Amen to that. - Brad Miner Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:48:22 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-3157 Your article made me weep. I wept for the entire 4 years my son was at West Point and the entire 5 years he was in the Army. Like you, my wife and I went to West Point many times. These young men and women are truly our best. In their hearts and in that fabulous place lives the American soul. In this age of "self", they dedicate themselves to something greater than themselves - "duty, honor,country." God bless and protect everyone of them. - Michael Hurst Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:44:58 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-2237 They are precious. I just received a photo of my son with SECDEF Robert Gates at the USMA commencement. Mr. Gates said: ". . . know that I think of each of you as I would my own son or daughter. I feel a personal responsibility for each of you. I have committed myself and the department I lead to see that you have everything you need to accomplish your mission and to come home safely to your families and to the honor and gratitude you will have earned." His voice broke. He meant it. - Brad Miner Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:01:14 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-2233 Dear Mr. Miner, My son Zach is a Marine, so I'm with you. I, too, am so moved by the nobility of these men and women: I remember thinking (weepily, of course) God, this is so precious. They are so precious. Please, please don't let us waste this. Don't let us waste them. Amen. Vaya con Dios. - Rev. Kate Braestrup Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:49:59 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1924 Many thanks for your wonderful article. It brought tears to my eyes. I have a copy of the Cadet Prayer hanging on the wall behind my desk. I pray I will live up to the high standard it sets. Steve USMA '68 - Steve Wed, 27 May 2009 09:00:27 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1921 Brad: Very nice. You really get to the core, in my mind, of what makes West Point in particular, and military service in this country in general, such an important part of our culture. I'm so happy to see your son - a great kid and soon to be great Army officer - carry on and enhance (which he certainly will) that tradition. Mike P.S. I love the last photo. - Mike Martin Tue, 26 May 2009 17:50:22 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1918 Of course, my son's commitment began before Obama was elected; it will likely continue after BHO leaves office. Just as the institution of the presidency endures, so too the profession of arms will go on as long as there is an earth. What's key is duty. And honor. And country. - Brad Miner Tue, 26 May 2009 13:36:18 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1914 Brad, Very good. I just passed by West Point while returning to Columbus from a race at Lime Rock Park in Conneticut. My very best to your son. Please feel free to call when you are "back home"! - Raymond Mason Tue, 26 May 2009 13:27:18 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1915 Priesthood is a Specific Call. i know as a woman i'm not designed by God to desire war. i have tried but cannot reconcile my Catholic Faith w/military agression. i'm not talking about WW2 types of missions. but obama as commander in chief? how do you & mrs do this? i really want to be open to whatever God made Joseph for. please help me on this one. i also love the noble men at arms.i just don't know ANY young ones; i've only heard bad contempory stories & glory old stories.HELP! - debby Tue, 26 May 2009 13:25:44 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1913 since i cannot email u, will u respond 2 me? my son (10) is enamored w/army guys. he offers much of his pain for the soldiers, esp 100 degree NJ humid days. he tells me about be a cook for the army, i hear him "kill all the bad guys." i have such a hard time w/this. i have declared,in front of my husband,that he was not born to kill anyone, but to save the life or better the soul of another, that he was born to give life, not take life. i understand the military as a VOCATION just as the Priest - debby Tue, 26 May 2009 13:24:55 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1908 Sue: Of course I remember you. I've forgotten lots of other things but not you and not Worthington. I wish I'd been there to see the parade, although we had a pretty nice one where I live--made especially pleasant by having Bobby at my side and by the marching sailors and Marines in the NYC area for Fleet Week. -Brad - Brad Miner Mon, 25 May 2009 18:55:05 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1907 I was so deeply moved by your article, Brad. You may not remember me - Sue Armstrong Torrens, from Worthington. I share your pride in the young men and women who have selflessly committed their lives to the service of our country. Today in Worthington, we had the annual Memorial Day parade - there were many veterans of wars past, including my own Father, Harold Armstrong. And now your young man joins the legions before him who have brought such honor to our country. You must be so proud - Susan Armstrong Torrens Mon, 25 May 2009 15:15:18 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1906 Self-sacrifice is indeed the highest ideal when it is undetraken out of liove for one's enemies, like the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The purpose of an army is to close with, capture or destroy the enemy. Or, as General Patton put it, the job of a soldier is not to die for his country, but to make the other poor bastard die for his country. "You must love your enemy even while you are pulling the trigger," said our chaplain. We may hear this again at the Resurrection of the dead. - Lee Gilbert Mon, 25 May 2009 15:14:39 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1905 Please accept the gratitude and prayers of Americans who value the sacrifices made by all the families whose sons and daughters preserve our freedom. God bless you and keep you. - Kathy Mon, 25 May 2009 09:55:01 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1904 Amen! You and Mrs. Miner have raised a fine son. His generation and all past generations of soldiers should be honored for their selfless service to our country. - Pio Mon, 25 May 2009 09:29:55 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/a-prayer-for-soldiers.html#comment-1903 Thanks for this lovely tribute, Mr. Miner. My oldest is a Navy Chief Petty Officer and your piece brought back the pinning ceremony when he had earned that rank. How right we are to be proud of the great tradition of sacrifice through military service our sons have chosen! God bless them and all their brothers-in-arms. - Beth Mon, 25 May 2009 09:00:46 +0100