EDITOR’S NOTE: In February 2007, Col. Les Swartz sent this personal e-mail to a group of friends and it was forward to the Witness by Jacksonville native U. S. Army Cpt. Christian Lightsey. We contacted Col. Swartz and he gave us permission to share it with our readers. He has been a member of Columbia Street Baptist Church (ABC) in Bangor, Maine, 40 years.

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Millions of stars twinkling overhead in the black night sky off the bridge of the USS Philippine Sea remind Commander Rich McDaniel how "insignificant" he is in relationship to the great God he serves.

BRANDON (FBW)—While Army chaplain Mike Fox ministers to the men of the First Cavalry in Camp Taji, Iraq, his father and stepmother are praying for his wisdom in accomplishing what God has called him to do.

DOVER, Del. (FBW)—Readying herself to collect the remains of her husband from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, a woman looks closely at Chaplain Klavens Noel and says the first thing that comes to mind.

OCALA (FBW)—Ocala grandmother Bonnie W. Daniels penned the song "American Hero" to express her heart-felt support of American troops serving in war zones. That same patriotic devotion led her to ship 20,000 CDs of her song to Iraq and Afghanistan, and she now hopes CD sales will raise funds for seriously wounded soldiers.

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Former Floridian Lucy Cain has authored a book intended to encourage military personnel and their families. Her book, Secure the Fort (and Remain Under God), A Military Mother's Message to America, was recently released by xlibris publishers