Saint Martin's Cloak

Where else could you hear a story about Pope John XXIII from a Catholic priest, a chant in Hebrew by a Jewish lay leader, prayers led by a female Presbyterian and a Jamaican-born evangelical, praise songs in Samoan and a great speech by a United Methodist layman, who also happens to be a retired lieutenant general and a Sunday School teacher at the largest United Methodist church in town? Some days, I love the Army.

The White House announced today that Chaplain (Captain) Emil Kapaun would receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic service and sacrifice on behalf of Soldiers during the Korean War. The Army has posted a  biography of Chaplain Kapaun . Here is what I believe to be the Medal of Honor citation  from the Army web site. * * * Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun, while assigned to Headquarters Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism, patriotism, and selfless service between Nov. 1, 1950, and May 23, 1951. During the Battle of Unsan, Kapaun was attached to the 3rd Battalion of the 8th Cavalry Regiment. As Chinese Communist forces encircled the battalion, Kapaun moved fearlessly from foxhole to foxhole under direct enemy fire in order to provide comfort and reassurance to the outnumbered Soldiers. He repeatedly crawled to wounded men and either dragged them back to the safety of the American lines, or dug shallow trenches to s...