I wish all my fellow vets a very happy Veterans Day. Below, a very interesting story on the history of the military Chaplain and the origins of the word:
The story of chaplaincy begins at the gate to the city of Amiens in 337 CE. Martin, a young soldier in the Roman army, was walking into the city during a bitterly cold winter. The crowds were hurrying past a half-naked beggar who was close to death. Martin, unpaid and having only his military uniform, stopped and looked at the man who gazed back at him expectantly, with hand outstretched. After a slight hesitation, Martin took out his sword and then removed his cloak and sliced it through the middle giving one half to the man and using the other half to cover himself again.
Some bystanders laughed at him and the ridiculous way he looked, wearing only half a cloak. But other bystanders felt ashamed that this poor soldier, from his poverty, had helped the beggar and made a difference, whilst they with money in their pockets, hand ignored the beggar completely, walking away when challenged by Martin’s actions.
Later that night Martin had a dream, he saw a vision of Christ himself wearing the half a cloak and saying to others Look at the cloak that Martin gave me today, and he only a poor soldier and a lay man too. The dream so affected Martin that he tried to leave the army and in 339 CE he was released into civilian life.
From there he went on to work for the poor and increase awareness of the presence of God in ordinary people. He created a number of communities and became a church leader. He died at Tours in 397 CE.
His cloak, or half a cloak, became a precious object in military and royal circles. It became a spiritual symbol for the whole community. The cloak was used in the taking of oaths and was carried into battle and came to symbolize all that was best in humanity, a symbol of the spiritual dignity of each person and a powerful reminder of the need to seek God in ordinary things.
The cloak was called a cappella – a cape. It was kept in a tent or in a building that came to be called a cappella, or chapel. The person assigned to look after this sacred relic was called the capellano or chaplain. The chaplain would control access to the sacred symbol and organize prayers and ceremonies for the community to celebrate the spirituality it signified. These were the first people to be called chaplains. They began firstly in the army, then in royal courts, later in hospitals and more recently in education.
Nice story, Maestro. Man, we are becoming knowledgeable on this board. Things I haven't had time to research come to light on this forum.
GM's reporting on Mamdani, in New York, spared me the extra effort of following that story.
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I wish all my fellow vets a very happy Veterans Day. Below, a very interesting story on the history of the military Chaplain and the origins of the word:
The story of chaplaincy begins at the gate to the city of Amiens in 337 CE. Martin, a young soldier in the Roman army, was walking into the city during a bitterly cold winter. The crowds were hurrying past a half-naked beggar who was close to death. Martin, unpaid and having only his military uniform, stopped and looked at the man who gazed back at him expectantly, with hand outstretched. After a slight hesitation, Martin took out his sword and then removed his cloak and sliced it through the middle giving one half to the man and using the other half to cover himself again.
Some bystanders laughed at him and the ridiculous way he looked, wearing only half a cloak. But other bystanders felt ashamed that this poor soldier, from his poverty, had helped the beggar and made a difference, whilst they with money in their pockets, hand ignored the beggar completely, walking away when challenged by Martin’s actions.
Later that night Martin had a dream, he saw a vision of Christ himself wearing the half a cloak and saying to others Look at the cloak that Martin gave me today, and he only a poor soldier and a lay man too. The dream so affected Martin that he tried to leave the army and in 339 CE he was released into civilian life.
From there he went on to work for the poor and increase awareness of the presence of God in ordinary people. He created a number of communities and became a church leader. He died at Tours in 397 CE.
His cloak, or half a cloak, became a precious object in military and royal circles. It became a spiritual symbol for the whole community. The cloak was used in the taking of oaths and was carried into battle and came to symbolize all that was best in humanity, a symbol of the spiritual dignity of each person and a powerful reminder of the need to seek God in ordinary things.
The cloak was called a cappella – a cape. It was kept in a tent or in a building that came to be called a cappella, or chapel. The person assigned to look after this sacred relic was called the capellano or chaplain. The chaplain would control access to the sacred symbol and organize prayers and ceremonies for the community to celebrate the spirituality it signified. These were the first people to be called chaplains. They began firstly in the army, then in royal courts, later in hospitals and more recently in education.
I believe the millions of veterans in America are our antidote to Trump's attempted grab of our nation!
"Veterans Say No" is a movement where veterans are protesting against various political issues, including cuts to services, militarization, and the Trump administration's policies.
1. Key Aspects of the Movement Protests and Events: The "Vets Say No" movement is organizing protests and town halls across the United States, particularly around Veterans Day. These events aim to challenge federal cuts to essential services, oppose the militarization of communities, and advocate for the rights and needs of veterans and their families.
2.Political Context: The protests are a response to the policies of the Trump administration, particularly regarding the deployment of military forces in domestic situations and cuts to veteran services. Veterans are voicing their concerns about the impact of these policies on their communities and the nation as a whole.
3. Demands: The movement emphasizes several key demands, including: No cuts to life-saving services. Opposition to the militarization of streets and communities. Support for social safety programs like Social Security and veterans' benefits. A call for accountability from elected officials regarding these issues.
4. Solidarity Actions: The movement encourages solidarity among veterans and community members, promoting nonviolent protests and town halls to raise awareness and build support for their causes.
5. Upcoming Events: Significant events are planned for November 8 and November 11, where veterans and community members will gather to express their opposition to current policies and advocate for change.
The "Veterans Say No" movement represents a collective effort by veterans to stand against policies they believe undermine democracy and the well-being of their communities. Through protests and public engagement, they aim to bring attention to critical issues affecting veterans and society at large.
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