Her Light Of Freedom
From the northern shores of Maine
To Southern California
From Alaska down to the Florida Keys
All across this great land
To the New York Harbor
Where she stands for all the world to see
Her light of freedom shining night and day
Guiding the way for those who seek
The land of the free to raise their families
To live, love and at night sleep in peace
Tears come to their eyes
When they first see the light
For they finally have found the dream
They will be Americans, live in America
United they'll stand with you and me
Her torch of freedom shining night and day
Guiding the way for those who seek
Tears come to their eyes
When they first see her
At last they have found their greatest dream.
They'll live in America, be Americans
And at night sleep in peace.
America The Land Of The Free
Words And Music by Jerry Morris. Bromo Records 2002 BMI, All Rights Reserved.
January 30, 2005 - The 278th RCT participated in a regimental command prayer service with the soldier last night (our time). We are United although we are separated by miles.
There are numerous planned serviced with those that I am aware of listed below. If the weather interferes with attending any of the services, we can still participate by lighting our candles and spending time in prayer. We are told that if "two or more are united" we can move mountains. And we ARE UNITED - we are a "Family of One"!!
Prayer Vigil Supporting Our SoldiersJanuary 29, 2005
As you all know, the upcoming elections in Iraq will mean extremely dangerous conditions for our soldiers, not only this week, but also especially in the hours of the Iraqi election. With great concern and worry in our hearts, we as family members of the 278th soldiers, have organized an area wide prayer vigil to be held at various churches in the East Tennessee area during this time. Since Iraq is eight hours ahead of our time zone, the Iraqi polls will be open between the hours of 11pm and 9 am our time on Saturday the 29th into Sunday the 30th.
Although we may feel helpless at times in the fate of our soldiers, we are not! One of the greatest gifts, and possibly the only thing we can offer for this occasion, is prayer. It is our intent to cover ALL SOLDIERS dealing with the Iraqi elections in prayer during every second of this election.
Attached is a list of churches that have agreed to join us in this endeavor.
Each church listed will be participating by opening their doors to the public and providing a room or sanctuary for prayer, as well as assigning hours of prayer to volunteering congregation members throughout the nighttime. We have also asked that books be available so that anyone wishing to write notes of encouragement and well wishes to the soldiers may do so. These notes will be sent to Camp Caldwell, Iraq the following week.
We invite everyone to come and take part in this area wide effort for the benefit of our soldiers. The ability to pray is free and one that has been given to us by the service of the men and women in need of our prayers now.
Of all the things those of us here on American soil can do for our military, this may be the most important part we serve - may God watch over them and keep them safe during this volatile and dangerous time.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. On behalf of the 278th families, we would like to thank you in advance for your help and support!
Area Churches Participating in Prayer Vigil for Soldiers in Iraq Please refer to www.hhtsupportgroup.com to see a complete list of churches, addresses and times.
Knoxville:
Fountain City United Methodist Church
212 Hotel Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37918
865-689-5175
Open from 11:00 p.m. on Saturday until 8:30 a.m. on Sunday
Grace Baptist Church
7171 Oak Ridge Highway
Knoxville, TN 37931
865-691-8886
Open from 6 p.m. until midnight on Saturday
First Baptist of Concord
11704 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37922
865-966-9791
Open from 7 p.m. until midnight on Saturday and 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. on Sunday
Central Baptist Church of Bearden
6300 Deane Hill Drive
Knoxville, TN
865-588-0586
Times to be announced...
Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church
4615 Asheville Highway
Knoxville, TN
865-522-2482
Prayer room open 24 hours
Claiborne County:
Midway Baptist Church
905 Yoakum Avenue
New Tazewell, TN 37825
423-526-8761
Times to be announced...
Powell:
Powell United Methodist Church
323 Emory Road
Powell, TN 37849
865-938-2741
Open from 6 p.m. until midnight
Lenoir City:
First Baptist of Lenoir City
2085 Simpson Road
Lenoir City, TN
865-986-9066
Open from 7 p.m. to midnight in the Worship Center
Clinton:
Antioch Baptist Church
134 Ofutt Road
Clinton, TN 37716
865-457-4822
Open from 9 p.m. on Saturday until 11 a.m. on Sunday
Maryville:
Broadway Methodist Church
309 East Broadway
Maryville, TN 37804
865-982-6192
Open from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. during worship services.
Harriman:
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
535 Margrave Drive
Harriman, TN 37748
865-882-9838
Open from 9 p.m. on Saturday until 9 a.m. on Sunday
Troop G Family Group Will Hold Prayer Service
Source: The Greeneville Sun
01-26-2005
The Family Readiness Group of Greeneville-based Troop G of the Army National Guard’s 278th Regimental Combat Team will host a “Light of Freedom Ceremony” on Saturday, Jan. 29, from 6 to 7 p.m.
It will be held at the National Guard Armory on Hal Henard Road in Greeneville.
Troop G National Guardsmen are serving in Iraq, along with thousands of other citizen-soldiers who make up the 278th Regimental Combat Team.
Troop G Family Readiness Group member Peggy Jones said Tuesday that state leaders of the 278th’s Family Readiness Group organization had asked that prayer services be held here for the safety of local troops during and after the Iraqi elections, which are scheduled for Sunday.
“The candlelight ceremony will be a time of prayer for the safety of our troops and the success of the upcoming Iraqi elections,” said Family Readiness Group member Jones.
“Everyone is welcome to attend and is asked to bring a candle and holder for the ceremony,” she said.
Jones said her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Darwin Jones, had told her via electronic mail from Iraq recently that the 278th soldiers expected to be busy during the Iraq election period and might not be able to communicate with their family members as often as before.
She noted that until recently, she had been receiving electronic mail on a daily basis from her husband.
But no message arrived on Tuesday, she said.
“He told me earlier not to worry if I didn’t hear from him for a little while,” she said.
Candlelight Service to Support Soldiers, Iraqis on Election Eve
Thursday, January 27, 2005
By RAIN SMITH - Reporter
KINGSPORT - As Iraq forges its way toward democracy with elections scheduled next week, anxiety among soldiers' families is on the rise.
According to a Chattanooga Times-Free Press journalist embedded with the 278th Regimental Combat Team in Iraq, the local National Guard soldiers will help patrol and secure polling sites. Of the 278th RCT's 4,000 soldiers, 3,200 are with the Tennessee National Guard, and 271 of those soldiers are with Kingsport's 2nd Squadron.
Last week, Iraqi provincial political and security leaders asked the 278th for manpower, vehicles and communication systems to guard against disruptions during the election.
The Times-Free Press story quoted Tennessee-based 278th commander, Col. Dennis Adams of Kingsport, as saying the 278th would step up efforts to corral insurgents before the election.
"We will get them what they need, even if it means we have to use our own vehicles," Adams said. "If I have to park my Bradley (fighting vehicle) in the middle of town square, I will be there to help them."
The 2/278th's Family Readiness Group is doing their part to help - through the power of prayer. At 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Kingsport Armory, a candlelight service will be held for both American soldiers and the Iraqi people. Elections are scheduled to begin in Iraq on Sunday, with insurgents expected to try and disrupt the process.
The Family Readiness Group asks those wishing to participate to bring a scented candle to burn. Remnants of the candles, which should be able to stand on their own, will be sent to soldiers overseas as a show of support and reminder they're remembered at home.
Hawkins County's Shaylene Cousins, whose husband Staff Sgt. Matthew Cousins is in Iraq with the 2/278th, is proud of the part her husband is playing in bringing Iraqis the right to vote.
She said the candlelight service is a tribute to the men a world away who are helping bring democracy to impoverished people.
"The situation in Iraq now with the elections is very serious for us," she said. "We know the sacrifices our loved ones are making and dread the ultimate one. We deal with it the best we can, we look for positive feedback on Iraq, and we have to shelter our children from certain media."
Mount Carmel's Kathy Richardson said the lead up to Iraqi elections has been a stressful time for her and her two daughters. Her husband, Sgt. 1st Class David Richardson, is also in Iraq with the 2/278th.
She said it's healthy to discuss her fears and worries with families and friends but still needs time to herself in order to vent.
"There are times I do want to be alone some, to just go over things in my head and feel the tears of being without him for so long. I think it helps keep me solid and focused. It also helps me not to break down (crying) when he calls home."
Richardson said the Iraqi people have the right to participate in democracy, which the 278th is helping facilitate. She said American forces actions in Iraq will "be one for the history books."
"One day we'll be able to sit and listen as our veterans, now our soldiers, retell their stories about all they did and saw and how they helped a people gain their rights," Richardson said.
Kingsport's Tracy Roark said, as the wife of a deployed soldier, the candlelight service "means the world" to her. 2/278th Staff Sgt. Shawn Roark and Tracy have two teenage daughters.
"This service is an opportunity for the community to come together with the families of 2/278th soldiers to pray for all of the people of Iraq to have a peaceful election, and for the safety of every soldier," Roark said.
She said the 2/278th is a "Family of One," and she has put her faith in God's hand to bring them home safely.
"We as Americans don't realize how lucky we are to live in a country that gives us so many opportunities," Roark said. "I believe the people of Iraq, just like any human being, deserves to live in a country that is free from fear and gives each citizen the opportunity to live a better life. My husband is a wonderful soldier that truly cares about people, and I know he is there to help the people of Iraq."
Just a note to remind everyone. Since there are so many area churches holding a prayer service Sat. night, we are meeting Sunday afternoon at 2:00 at the armory. Hope you can make it.
190th FRG
Baton Rouge, LA.
We are having a mass prayer down on the river today at 10 AM. On a ship called the US KID it's setting dry docked on the Mississsippi River here in Baton Rouge La. There will be prayers going on by the thousands - By people all over the world. We will make it through this and our loved ones will be OKAY and coming home to us. Hang on tight Family of One.
~ Barbara
Items have been donated for care packages that are sent each month to the troops and funds have been raised through the coordination of the 2/278th Family Readiness Group for the local regiment.
The family readiness group is now asking local residents to help support the troops in a different way - through community and prayer.
The group will host a candlelight prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Saturday in front of the Sevier County Courthouse in Sevierville.
That hour will coincide with when troops should be waking up in Iraq - about 3 a.m. Sunday - to help facilitate national elections in the country.
That task, in addition to the work they already do, promises to be a challenging and dangerous one.
Rene Child, president of the family readiness group, is asking everyone who can to bring their own candle and come out in support of the troops and praying for their safety.
Residents in Athens, Maryville, Bristol and Kingsport will also be praying Saturday.
A democratic election in Iraq is a historic event. The right for the people of Iraq to be able to choose their own leadership is a vital and necessary right.
U.S. and coalition forces are working to ensure that the Iraqi people are able to exercise their right to vote without fear of attack or persecution.
That can often mean placing themselves in dangerous situations.
We encourage everyone who is able to grab a candle Saturday and head to the courthouse. No matter how you feel about the situation in Iraq, we can all agree that our troops deserve our support and prayer.
~ Rene Child
E Troop in Newport is also having a candlelight vigil. We are meeting at 5:00pm at the Newport Armory. We will be having several Pastors of local churches and also some singing by local artists. We hope that all those who can attend will do so, if not, your prayers are greatly needed and appreciated.
~ Missy
This was posted on Ryan and Christy's Web Blog but I thought it was important to add it here.
Christy, a lot of us with the 1-128th out of WI, which part of is attached to your 278th, are joining you in this prayer vigil. Know that a lot of the world is joining in this time of prayers, also. God bless our soldiers and their families.
Kris Halberg