Gaurdsmen in Iraq armed with Faith

[UsaPride]

Guardsmen in Iraq are armed with faith
By Henry Cuningham
Staff writer

Staff photo by Marcus Castro
A prayer circle gathers before soldiers begin a patrol in Qara, Tapa, Iraq.
JALULA, Iraq - Before they get in their Humvees to travel the treacherous roads of Iraq, 16 soldiers form a circle, clasp hands and bow their heads in prayer.

Edward Strickland, who usually leads the prayer, says he believes the prayers have saved him and his fellow North Carolina National Guard members from hidden roadside bombs that can tear apart the most heavily armored vehicles.

''It seems like God put that angel of grace and protection around us,'' said the 55-year-old staff sergeant from Rowland.

One morning, the platoon was scheduled to launch a patrol from Camp Cobra at 9 o'clock. Standard procedure calls for the patrols to leave exactly on time, he said.

But for some reason that particular morning, all the men wanted to leave a half-hour early for the village of Qara Tapa, about an hour's drive away. The platoon leader agreed.

Exactly 30 minutes after the platoon had rolled past a certain spot, a roadside bomb detonated. If the platoon had been on time, it could have been directly in the blast, Strickland said.

''That's the only real time I ever saw we were as close together in that prayer as we were that day,'' Strickland said. ''It seemed everybody was close together. Everybody had the right attitude. Everybody was in the right frame of mind.''

''They won't leave without doing it,'' Strickland said. ''The last thing they say when we have a convoy briefing is, 'OK, guys, hold hands. Let's pray.'''

http://fortbraggnc.com/story.php?Template=war&Story=6450997
I thought it was interesting. :clap1:

 

[Annie]

Imagine, praying before going out! Who would have thought? We are a religious people, though you'd never guess that from some!

 

[5stringJeff]

I'm sure the ACLU will sue to stop this abominable practice.