CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

George Powers is helping lead souls to freedom as co-director for the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer, PittsburgOnce a soldier, always a soldier. You never stop fighting for what’s right. Such is the case with George Powers as told in the Pittsburgh, Kansas Morning Sun by staff writer Nikki Patrick.

George Powers has been a fighter against tyranny all his life.

First he fought against communist tyranny as a Ranger, a Green Beret and master parachutist, serving three combat tours of duty in Vietnam.

Now he’s fighting spiritual tyranny, helping lead souls to freedom as co-director for the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer, Pittsburg.  His new book, “The Making of a Soldier,” traces his battles, military and spiritual. Powers will sign copies of the book from 4 to 7:30 p.m. today and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the recently dedicated Kansas National Guard Armory on South Rouse.

“I so much appreciate the Kansas National Guard agreeing to be my host for this book signing,” Powers said. “I want to do anything I can to make the public aware of the sacrifice our military is making, not only those who are serving but their families as well.”

A native of Wyoming, Powers wrote that “the heritage of a soldier that was to become mine literally grew out of the ground I lived on as a small child.” His great-grandfather’s ranch included three sites involved in the U.S. military’s battle against various Native American tribes, including Fort Phil Kearny.
He entered Montana State College at Bozeman, from which he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and Distinguished Military Graduate.

He served 12 1/2 years as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, including 30 months in Vietnam, earning numerous honors including the Bronze Star with Valor third award, Air Medal with Valor third award, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Badge, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Silver and Bronze Stars.  Memories of those years are often with him, and he frequently visits the Vietnam Wall at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial. “I have friends on that wall,” Powers said.

He later attended seminary, graduated and returned to active duty as a U.S. Army chaplain with the 82D Airborne Division, Special Operations Command, Joint Special Operations Command and 1ST Infantry Division.  He continued in ministry after leaving the military, and in 1987 answered a call to pastor the South Broadway Baptist Church, Pittsburg. Powers later was instrumental in organizing Christ’s Community Church, and in developing the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer.

Based in Pittsburg, it has a mandate covering 10 area counties and is affiliated with the Kansas City International House of Prayer, Topeka House of Prayer, Crossroads International House of Prayer in Joplin and Bethel House of Prayer in Platt City, Mo.

Powers has never confined his ministry inside church walls. For 12 years, he served as PSU athletic chaplain, and he continues as an on-call chaplain with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. “I cherish the relationship with Sandy Horton and his staff,” Powers said.

For the past three years he’s also been a substitute teacher in Pittsburg schools, and enjoys working with the youngsters.  Powers is the father of five children, and stepfather of three born to his wife, Sue, and her previous husband, Doug Head. Four of his five sons have also gone into the military — Maj. Tim Powers, Maj. Tom Powers, Senior Airman Jason Head and Pfc. Paxton Powers. “Only an injury in high school kept my son, Travis Powers, out of the military lineup,” Powers said.

Various friends had urged him to write a book about his life.   “I never thought I’d do anything like that,” he said.  But he did, and response has been good for the book, which costs $15. Powers is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, and it recently posted an online review of “The Making of a Soldier” by Jim Stewart.

“George Powers has written a fine book about his journey through life,” Stewart wrote. “…His description of his tour of duty in Vietnam is detailed and hard-hitting. This is the spiritual growth of a committed leader and soldier.”  The reviewer ended by highly recommending the book, which he called an uplifting and educational journey from personal bondage to salvation.

Powers now refers to himself as a “made-over” soldier who battles with prayer and praise rather than guns and bullets.  “There is no higher calling than to surrender to the invitation to become a private in God’s Army,” Powers said.

Thank you Nikki for covering this so well. Another good story about a good soldier!
 

Soldiers going off to war or returning home should not have to pay a baggage fee of any kind, ever.

Now it seems that since our last post, based on an August Washington Post article, American Airlines is changing their tune.  Pat, one of our readers and a military mom AND an American Airlines agent advised us that this is no longer the case.  According to the Conners Report on the KMOV TV Channel 4 web log out of St Louis, MO:

“…So, now, there is some good news … at least from American Airlines.  In the face of all the publicity and outcry … American Airlines is doing what should have been done in the beginning.  American Airlines will no longer charge our troops for a third bag. “

Thank you Pat, thank you KMOV TV 4, and thank you to all the people who raised the dickens about this absurd practice and got it changed.

General Ray Odierno

Odierno replaces Petraeus

Lieutenant General Ray Odierno took over the command of the 146,000-strong U.S. force in Iraq from General David Petraeus at a ceremony held on the outskirts of Baghdad on Tuesday.
Gen. Odierno, whom his predecessor termed as “the perfect man for the job,” said he was aware of the tough task ahead in Iraq, despite a recent lull in violence.Addressing a gathering after assuming the new responsibility, he said the recent security gains in the country are “fragile and reversible.”

He called upon the Iraqi people to take charge, as “the struggle is theirs to win.”

“Iraq is now a different country from the one I had seen first. However, we must realize that these gains are fragile and reversible,” Odierno added.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who unexpectedly flew in Monday to attend the ceremony, said the two generals formed an “incredible team” while implementing the troop surge plan last year.

Presiding over the ceremony, Gates recalled the challenges faced by Gen. Petraeus in one of the most risky foreign security missions carried out by U.S. armed forces.

“Darkness had descended on this land. Merchants of chaos were gaining strength. Death was commonplace. Slowly, but inexorably, the tide began to turn. Our enemies took a fearsome beating they will not soon forget,” Gates said.

He reminded Gen. odierno to be cautious at a “pivotal moment, when progress remains fragile.”

Gen. Petraeus paid tribute to the American soldiers in the fight against terrorism in Iraq.

Gen. Petraeus, who successfully sought the “surge” of nearly 30,000 extra U.S. troops in Iraq, is widely credited with reducing violence there during his 20 months in command.

After putting him at the helm of the Multi-National Force - Iraq in February 2007, the Bush administration heavily relied on Gen. Petraeus in the implementation of its so-called surge strategy.

Since then, the security situation has improved markedly, with less violence and fewer deaths, and progress on both the political and economic fronts of the country.

Petraeus has subsequently been promoted to oversee operations in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.

He will take up the post as ‘Commander-in-Chief of the US Central Command next month, working from its headquarters in Tampa, Florida.

U.S. President George W. Bush gave an upbeat assessment of the security gains made in Iraq in July, which witnessed the least number of US troop casualties in the country since the beginning of the war in 2003.

He also announced the shortening of tours of duty in the war-torn country.  Discover the rest of the story here…

A Town Weeps

Wootton Bassett will pay tribute for the 100th time as another war casualty passes by

This story was carried today in the The Guardian.co.uk

America suffers still from the 9/11 tragedy and continues to honor the fallen. But we are not alone. Our allies suffer as well as noted in this news article about the good townsfolk in Wootton Bassett, UK.

Come rain, snow or hail they gather beside the war memorial. ‘We have been there three times a week at times,’ said Bevis. When details are known, she rings round regulars, who pass them on to others. Word spreads. There are rarely fewer than 150, sometimes as many as 500. Veterans, former military personnel, the ‘chain gang’ as the local mayors and councillors refer to themselves, stand alongside mothers, school children, shoppers."

Access the rest of the story here…

War Hero Remembered

The following article was written by KATY MOELLER of the Hattiesburg American:

As Ed “Too Tall” Freeman lay ill in a Boise hospital over the past few weeks, many came to pay their respects to the 80-year-old national war hero and former helicopter pilot.One unexpected visitor offered a very personal thank you to Freeman, a veteran of three wars and recipient of the highest military award - the Medal of Honor - for his actions on Nov. 14, 1965, at Landing Zone X-Ray, Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam.

“A guy came into the hospital and said, ‘You don’t know me, but I was one of those people you hauled out of the X-Ray,’” said Mike Freeman, 54, one of Ed’s two sons. “He said, ‘Thanks for my life.’”

Freeman, who was born and raised in Greene County, Miss., died Wednesday of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

His Medal of Honor citation credits him with helping save 30 seriously wounded soldiers in 14 separate rescue missions in an unarmed helicopter.

The heroics of Freeman and the others involved in the Ia Drang campaign are immortalized in the Mel Gibson movie “We Were Soldiers,” which is based on the book “We Were Soldiers Once … And Young.” A sequel, “We Are Soldiers Still,” was released this month…

Continue reading the full story here

American Hero Dies

Buchenwald Concentration Camp Liberator

Monday morning brought with it the passing of a man who personally had stared death in the face in 1945. James Hoyt was one of the first four American soldiers to actually see the dreaded Buchenwald concentration camp.

I AM AN AMERICAN! America is at war with the terrorists in Iraq. The US Army, the entire US Military force, under the direction of President Bush is in Iraq to fight the Muslim terrorists in the Nation of Islam.

Please, please do not forget 9/11. God will ultimately forgive the sins of those who confess them through the blood of Jesus Christ. But in the meantime, the terrorist regime in Baghdad, and elsewhere in Iraq and Afghanistan, have given the American military a long list of casualties. The loss of life must stop and it must stop now. The Islam terrorists must be brought to justice immediately. Then and only then will our military soldiers be able to come home. Then and only then will President Bush be able to proudly declare to the American people that the war in Iraq is finally over.
 

Remembering Our Brave Heros Soldiers of War

Remembering Our Brave Heros Soldiers in Iraq. Remembering those who Died for our freedom. With Pride and Honor. They Served. They Will Be Missed. Lets all pray for their families.

Lets all leave encouraging comments for the Soldiers and their Familys. Let them know that we are praying for them and never will be Forgotten. Lets show our Pride too.