My grandfathers and father- in -law who fought with the Allies

Today I've posted some photographs of my relatives who fought for freedom during the two World Wars. The first two are of my grandfather Moorhead who fought in both of them. In the first photograph it looks like he was a corporal in WW1 and a relatively old man in WW2. He was about 45 during WW2- I couldn't believe that such a realatively old man would be fighting on the front line. In WW1 he went off with four of his brothers and were known in Newry as 'the patrotic family'.





My grandfather Kenny fought in the Boer War in the medical division as well as WW1. In the first photograph he appears to be wearing a Russian uniform while he was a POW held by the Germans. Below are also his WW1 medals and dog tag. One story I heard about him was that he escaped several times from the Germans but was recaptured.





My Father- in -Law John Jackson was a young Army Captain in WW2. He served in Burma and the Far East. I'm really proud of them all and thankful what they did for those who would come after them.




John Moorhead as a young corporal in WW1











John Moorhead as a private in WW2





William Kenny WW1 POW

WW1 Medals and dog tag

Capt John G. Jackson

THe heroes of the Allied forces who gave their lives to save Europe and world freedom.

Bought the 'Band of Brothers DVD and watched this scene. Truly grateful for their great sacrifice. Thankful many survived it and will remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.Impossible to appreciate their deeds with dry eyes.

The Prayer of St Patrick- The Deer's Cry

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.
I arise today

Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.
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Being alive

I'm thankful I am alive today! I could have been famous, wealthy, happy,influencial or even the strongest man alive but if I was dead my life would naturally would be over-I would not be breathing,I could not love, see, feel or smell any of the wonderful things God has given us in this world. Seize the day, live each day as if it were your last. Be thankful for it to the saviour and maker of the universe. I have a young friend who last week rescued a man while he was trying to hang himself. Sam heard a woman scream and after being told what was happening he broke down the front door of the house and cut the 18 stone man down! A hero indeed. Hopefully the man will one day appreciate what Sam did.

-

Immanuel:God with us.

Can I say I haven't got round to writing this blog for quite a while. However it doesn't mean that I haven't been thankful , though of course not thankful enough.
Thinking of Christmas and my birthday today I can't help thinking of the blessing of God being with us, of God becoming Man in Christ and though that fully experiencing our angst, pain, suffering as well as the many good things, fully understanding our need of friendship and our need of God.
I want to thank you Lord for being my friend through thick and thin, through good times as well as bad and for never leaving or forsaking me.