The White Falcon - 29.05.1998, Síða 2

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The Bulletproof Washington
By Chaplain Curtis D. Wallace
We seem to live in a time which seeks to divorce any mention of a
person’s faith from public record. Many of our forefathers were
individuals of profoundly deep personal faith in God and his provi-
dence. More and more, however, the personal faith of our leaders is
deleted, rendering their remarkable stories void of the power that
directed, guided and protected them.
Take George Washington as an example. How many students
today know about George Washington at the battle of the
Monongahela? The account of this battle was included in textbooks
in America until 1934.
In July of 1755 during the French and Indian War, Washington
fought alongside the British general Braddock. In this battle the
British were being annihilated. Every officer, except Washington,
was shot down. Washington wrote in a letter to his brother John
after the battle, “By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I
have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation;
Facility Renovation
continued from previous page
at the alert facility noticed that the
roof had begun to leak. The repair
contractors tried several different
methods to stem the tide of water
coming through the roof, but every-
thing failed and the leaks got worse.
To make things even more difficult,
there was another problem.
“We also couldn’t get funding,”
Kruczek said. “NATO didn't want to
fund it, because they had paid for the
hardened shelters and didn’t see a
need for the alert facility. The base
wasn't able to pay for it either, but
after a while we found funding and
now we’re getting started. The first
thing we’re taking care of is basically
re-doing the entire roof.”
The roof is very important, because
if they can’t stop the leaks, they can’t
work on the interior of the facility. All
new ceiling tiles will be next, along
with carpet for upstairs. Also upstairs,
there’ll be new furniture, beds and
mattresses, couches and tables.
Downstairs, the squadron has decided
to replace the old carpet with a new
linoleum floor. Heat will be more
abundant with two new boilers and a
new exhaust system for the hangar.
The facility will also get a newer elec-
trical generator.
All of the repairs should restore the
building and hangar, according to
Lewis. When it’s completed, the alert
facility will be used for whatever
fighter unit is deployed to Keflavik at
the time.
The facility will especially prove its
worth during Iceland’s hard winters,
providing a convenient, warm shelter
for pilots and crew that must be ever
vigil.
Lewis said there is no final estimate
on the overall cost of the repairs, since
other than the roof, many renovations
will be self-help. The roof repairs
should take anywhere from 10 to 30
days, depending on weather. The rest
of the project will continue through
the majority of the summer.
for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under
me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions
on every side of me!”
Years later, Washington met the Indian chief who had fought
against him that day. The chief relayed that he had given orders to
his warriors to aim specifically at Washington. The old chief said
that he had seventeen fair shots at Washington but could not bring
him down. He then said, “Seeing you were under the special
guardianship of the Great Sprit we immediately ceased to fire at
you.”
Children studied this account of Washington in our schools until
1934. How many individuals are aware of the “other” instances of
divine protection ascribed to Washington and the Continental Army
during the American Revolution?
On Aug. 27, 1776, the British trapped Washington and his 8,000
troops. Just as the British were about to crush Washington, a fog
moved in and covered Washington’s retreat.
In January 1781, Lord Cornwallis pursued the American troops to
the Catawba River where he decided to wait the night. Washington’s
troops had crossed two hours earlier. During the night, a
storm began which prevented the British from crossing for
three days. On Feb. 3, Cornwallis again nearly overtook
the American troops at the Yadkin River. He watched the
American troops getting out of the river on the other side,
but before his troops could cross, a sudden flood ran the
river over its banks, preventing his crossing. February 13,
the American troops crossed the Dan River. The British
only a few hours behind, found the river had again risen
and stopped their pursuit.
Incident after incident is recorded in which Washington
gives thanks to God for divine protection. Washington
was a man of profound personal faith in God and the
Christian faith. His life was guided by those principles,
though the contemporary reader will seldom find reference
to this fact unless he knows where to look.
The rear wall of Washington’s tomb contains the verse
John 11:25-26. The metal cap on the top of the
Washington Monument is engraved with the words,
“Praise be to God.”
Along the stairway inside the monument one finds the
following verses engraved in tribute: Luke 18:16; Proverbs
22:6; John 5:39; Acts 17:11; Exodus 28:36; 39:30 and
Zechariah 14:20.
One also finds engraved, this tribute to the man and his
trust in God, “IN GOD WE TRUST, GOD AND OUR
NATIVE LAND, MAY HEAVEN TO THIS UNION CON-
TINUE ITS BENEFICENCE.”
Commander, Iceland Defease Force Rear Adm. Daniel L. Kloeppel Deputy Commander, Iceland Defense Force Col. John J. Walters
Commanding Officer, NAS Keflavik Capt. Allen A. Efraimson Commander, 85th Group Col. Michael C. Henchey Chief of Staff, Fleet Air Keflavik Capt. Kenneth A. Morrell Jr. Command Chaplain Cmdr. Robert R Cooper Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital Keflavik Capt. Carl J. Hooton
The White Falcon is produced by the
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Lt. Carla McCarthy
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Fri5J)6r Kr. Eydal
Chief Petty Officer
JOC Christine June
Leading Petty Officer
J02 Brian R. Ellis
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J02 Rob Wise
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JOSN Mike C. Jones
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SigriOur Jenny Svansddttir
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The White Falcon May 29,1998