August 16, 2007

An Opportunity that wasn't Missed

Two years ago, just as we were about to leave the Family Campout, Ray approached me and asked about my military career. He wanted to know because he had a friend from high school who became a chaplain in the Army. When he found out that I had been a chaplain's assistant, he couldn't resist asking me if I knew his friend. It turned out that I didn't.


Ray continued to explain that his chaplain friend had written a book about his life in the military. Ray wanted to know if I was interested in reading it. Of course I was! Ray asked me for my address and said he would get a copy for me. I received the book and was overwhelmed when I opened it and found it was a personalized copy. I read the book cover to cover and was pleasantly suprised to find that this chaplain was a good friend of one of the chaplains that I served with at Fort Bragg.


I was able to contact my chaplain and another chaplain's assistant that I had served with. I had great fun reminising with them via phone. I am so thankful to Ray for making that possible for me.


Thank you Ray!


Coleen

2 comments:

Tom W son of Robert said...

Boy, you got my message loud and clear Coleen. That was a perfect example of what I was talking about. It is a small world sometimes.

Ray Rickert/s Donnabelle Walker said...

Thanks for your kind words, Coleen. It was my distinct pleasure to get the book for you. I have enjoyed the opportunity to get better acquainted with you and your girls.

For those who may have an interest, my chaplain friend is Jimtown High School classmate John Schumacher. John retired as colonel from the army and is now the chaplain endorsing agent for the Grace Brethren Church. His book has been translated into Spanish and he travels often lecturing on military ethics and the role of the chaplaincy in the military and other enforcement organizations.