BS: Prayer for Eric

Subject: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 08:21 AM

Eric is a rising young star in the public radio arena and the national office has asked him to go to Iraq to do a tour of several months embedded with a USMC unit there. He was in Baghdad as of yesterday, waiting to hitch a ride to Falujah, the site of the most recent and most fervent civilian violence. As such, he is going in harm's way to document what the Marines are doing and going through.

I heard him discussing the assignment in an interview on NPR -- he sounded keyed up but professional, excited and a little bit nervous. He had raised the money to buy his own Kevlar jacket, with ceramic inserts, and Kevlar helmet.

His parents are two of the brightest and kindest people it has been my pleasure to know. They are accomplished, brave, and worldly people. They are worried sick; but Eric is very much his own man and must go where he will. I cannot say I would not do the same in his place.

Please send him your best surivival wishes; we want this boy home in one piece. One living piece. Wherever you send your prayers, send one for Eric.

Thanks.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: mooman
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 08:35 AM

Dear Amos,

Naturally I wish him well and good luck. But I would wish all in that region to remain in "one living piece". Irrespective of whether they are American, Iraqi, British or from anywhere else.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 09:29 AM

Do you want this out on the prayer chain, Amos? A number of Catters on it are not here often enough to see every thread.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Amos
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 09:30 AM

Sure darlin' -- I'll dance with the devil himself to see the guy come home sound.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 09:45 AM

I have a lot of respect for reporters and photographers who do this kind of thing. I hope he comes back in one piece and he can let people know what life is truly like in an area where often the truth gets skewed.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 11:58 AM

Good luck to him. I hope he gets back safe and well. I wish they would send the bloody politicians to these places and keep the young men at home.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Hawker
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 01:33 PM

Prayers said Amos, Do let us know of his progress
Cheers,
Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Hollowfox
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 02:56 PM

Well he's got my prayers right now, and when I get home tonight I'll fire up a purebred genuine midwestern !@#$-reduction candle for him and put it on the mantel with the ones for my other friends over there.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: GUEST,WYS at Church Office
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 05:20 PM

Request sent out.

~Susan
(Embedded and on the road with King Jesus)

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Peace
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 05:38 PM

Amos,

The God I pray to is maybe a bit more universal than some folks would like, but I will include Eric in my prayers. He is a fortune guy to have someone like you in his life. He will return in good health. Trust that please. And if you get a chance, maybe mail him a copy of this thread when it fills up a little. Let him know lots of people care for their brothers and sisters in this crazy world.

Bruce M

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Phot
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 06:02 PM

God speed, and faith protect, I may just see him out there in a few months.

Live long and prosper.

Wassail

Chris

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 06:31 PM

Prayers and light and love for Eric and for all the loving souls of every nation who go bravely into the fray.

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Morticia
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 06:41 PM

I know as a man he has made his choice, and I respect him for it....nonetheless my thoughts and good wishes go with him.

Phot, I hope you were joking.....

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Peace
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 06:42 PM

Phot: What's up, maybe?

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 06:47 PM

Good health and safe journeys to him and all who meet him.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Genie
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 02:04 AM

Eric, you are one brave and dedicated man.
Please come home intact, having accomplished at least a lot of what you set out to do.

Genie

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Marion
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 12:20 AM

Amos, are Eric's parents the couple you introduced me to?

Marion

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Amos
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 11:05 AM

Marion:

Yes -- the ones who slipped you that large tip -- Peter Niiler, a physical oceanographer with Scripps, and his wife Nancy.

I have heard one report from Eric yesterday, so he is still alive despite the escalation of violence int he Falujah region. Apparently he got some sort of a scoop and was picked up by a renowned CBS anchorperson (Tom Brokaw, I think) for relay. I don't know the details. At least we know he's still kicking.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: jeffp
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 01:23 PM

Sounds like he's doing better than just kicking. Add my prayers to the list.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 03:39 AM

My thoughst as well, Amos...I hope everyone comes home soon...safe and sound...

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 05:15 AM

we're with you Eric....... in spirit at least.

Whatever else - its good to talk. Bombs are shouting.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 07:38 AM

Sounds like he knows what he's doing, so he's presumably prepared to take his chances. Is it not unreasonable or illogical to seek divine intervention on behalf of particular individuals in such a theatre? I know someone whose son is in Fallujah now who would consider the notion pathetic, as would his son. Anyway, if Eric does need Special Protection, he could try this by John Betjemen:

In Westminster Abbey

[....]

Gracious Lord oh bomb the Germans,
Spare their women for Thy sake,
And if that is not too easy,
We will pardon Thy mistake.
But gracious Lord, whate'er shall be,
Don't let anyone bomb me.

Keep our empire undismembered,
Guide our forces by thy hand,
Gallant blacks in far Jamaica,
Honduras and Togoland.
Protect them Lord in all their fights,
And even more, protect the whites.

Think of what our nation stands for,
Books from Boots and country lanes,
Free speech, free passes, class distinction,
Democracy and proper drains.
Lord, put beneath thy special care
One-eighty-nine Cadogan Square.

[.......]

Now I feel a little better.
What a treat to hear Thy word,
Here where leading statesmen
Have so often been interred.
And now, dear Lord, I cannot wait,
Because I have a luncheon date.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: bflat
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 10:53 PM

Amos, your request is answered by our collective prayers. Now it remains to see the answer to those prayers. I hope he will be safe. As an FYI, Tom Brokaw is with the NBC network.

Ellen

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Strick
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 10:58 PM

He's in our prayers.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Amos
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 11:05 PM

Thanks for the correction, Ellen. So far we've heard no bad news regarding Eric -- in fact, so far we have heard none. Will advise...


A

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Amos
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 11:12 PM

So far he has been filing stories via interviews with news anchors on NPR, as late as 4/9. So far, so good!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: GUEST,Shlio
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 05:16 PM

My prayers are for him, and everyone else in the region.

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: M.Ted
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 01:48 PM

Amos starting a a prayer thread! Now I have seen everything---

Not only will I include him in the prayers, I will keep my eye out for him on the news--

Subject: RE: BS: Prayer for Eric
From: Amos
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 03:15 PM

Thanks, M. Ted. I would point you to Larry Dossey's books on the efficacy of this sort of intervention, regardless of the formalism invoked.

Regards,


A