On Thursday, LTG Eric Schoomaker, Army Surgeon General, visited Camp Cropper and the 14th CSH. He is my boss', boss', boss', boss', boss', boss. Only six layers of management... from bottom to top!
If you were lucky enough to shake hands, you'd get a "Surgeon General's Challenge Coin." We were in clinic when the General arrived and so we left a note on the door that said, "Just leave some coins on the table, please." Didn't get zilch, dang!
Thursday evening, the LDS members on VBC were invited to listen to remarks given by Elder Bruce A. Carlson, of the Second Quorum of Seventy, who was on a work assignment to Iraq. The event was at the Victory Chapel... a cool building right by the Al Faw Palace.
To my surprise, Elder Carlson was a very humble, soft-spoken man for being a newly retired, 4-star general. He wore a white striped shirt and khaki pants... nothing like at General Conference. He started his comments by related his conversion story to us... he grew up in a part member family and was baptized at 17.
Elder Carlson talked a little about his career. He was a University of Minnesota ROTC grad, became a fighter pilot & deployed to SE Asia, eventually serving 37 years in the Air Force. He retired last year and was called to the Seventy shortly thereafter.
He said that he never served a mission, wasn't a stake president, or a mission president, and at the time of his call, he was serving as a Sunday School teacher. He said he and his wife felt overwhelmed but prayed, put their retirement plans on hold and accepted the call. He said in his first assignment--to instruct mission presidents--he felt he failed miserably and wondered if he was equal to the challenge of this new position.
Nevertheless, he continued to serve faithfully and said his love for his calling grew. Elder Carlson stated that he knew his Father in Heaven loves us as individuals, knowing and understanding all that we feel and need, quoting D&C 88:41.
Nevertheless, he continued to serve faithfully and said his love for his calling grew. Elder Carlson stated that he knew his Father in Heaven loves us as individuals, knowing and understanding all that we feel and need, quoting D&C 88:41.
Elder Carlson's explained that his situation is unique in that he is allowed to work for the government as a consultant and also serve on the Seventy. He thank us for our service and said that the young men and women growing up in this country would lead better lives because of what we do.
