Military Chaplains receive our Challenge Coin

Irish Blessings are always in demand.   These chaplains are part of a fine tradition in our military.  

Dobson receives coin

Matt Dobson is an Army Reserve Chaplain who is also a minister and counselor at prisons. He is also a marathon champion runner and coach.  His annual "Coon Hill 5K" run raises local funds to help maintain and repair damages to our local (to Vic Campbell) heritage cemetery.   We know his coin will get a lot of activity as he takes time to pray with and for veterans and others that need a little grace.

Kissinger reflecting on the coin

Col. H. Philip Kissinger (PhD) is a veteran of Vietnam and a regular counselor and visitor to support Veterans in the VA homes.  He was involved in heavy combat with his unit in Vietnam and has many memories that are difficult himself.  In his mission to visit with veterans in the homes in PA and NJ, he has many opportunities to bring out our challenge coin in a prayer for peace and grace. 

His nephew is a friend from association with the USS Houston survivors organization. Sean Frey made a scale model of that ship from scratch.   Resources about the USS Houston.

He has become a regular assistant to his uncle in visits to the VA homes. Here is another recipient of our coin. 

Promoting the Irish Blessings

blow up to read the card

Last year one of the volunteers at the Tin Can Sailor (Destroyer Veterans) annual meeting (and our own Irish Song Reunion), Paula Botelho, became enamored with the story of Fr. O'Callahan and the USS Franklin and our association.  She has since become an ambassador of the IRISH BLESSING in MA and RI where she volunteers with community service projects.  Often she will tell the story of Fr. O'Callahan and give out some facsimiles of our ship's seal with the instructions to say a prayer for a veteran and receive an Irish Blessing in return. 




This week I received in the mail some cookies and a shamrock dish towel from Paula in gratitude for her new-found enjoyment of passing along the story and the blessings.   Well, blessings must revolve so, I am sending her some of our prints and more sticky seals to share with special people.   At this year's reunion in Boston, I hope she and others from the DESVETS organization (big write-up on us last year) are able to share in the transfer of the seal for the next host pub. (Boston is HQ for DESVETS).

I think she meant for all of us to enjoy the cookies - so I will let you all know how they taste!  "Really good" ...  so .... that is something you can enjoy --- my report.   THANK YOU, PAULA ! 

prints and coins available from our ship's store - at ussocallahan.org .

(shown are the 11x14 prints and post cards)

KEY LINKS From our HOME PAGE

NEWSLETTER- Boston Reunion Info and more     to help you PLAN AHEAD for the JULY 11-15 BOSTON 50th ANNIVERSARY Gathering. The newsletter will be mailed to those who do not use internet resources. UPDATES to the newsletter will be found at the NEWS link on our main page.

It was a fun and productive reunion in Valley Forge. There will be news and photos from that and more in upcoming NEWS..

FEATURED IN TIN CAN SAILOR MAGAZINE 

2017  SHIP's STORE - memberships

The Poker Chip Challenge Coins -----

(these are in the ship's store)

Member Dues

FACEBOOK

DIscussions

An Irish Blessing - our ship's seal is now finding its way into use as a talisman to encourage a prayer for a veteran - and with it the gift of an "IRISH BLESSING" by association with Fr. O'Callahan. 

PRINTS AVAILABLE - DE and FF and Cross Section

2017- REUNION - REPORT from VALLEY FORGE

2016-REUNION REPORT from PENSACOLA