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1000 hours (10:00 a.m.): I am traveling with a military convoy, making pastoral visits to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. First stop is their Forward Operating Base (FOB) in a central Iraq town. I set up for Mass in a corner of the busy area where the Marines eat, recreate, and do triage for the wounded.
From a kit smaller than a shoebox that I carry on my back, I pull out the olive green altar linens and the compact parts of a brushed steel crucifix, chalice, and paten. My altar is a wooden bench, the best piece of furniture in the room.
Intense fervor shines in the tired eyes of the Marines who have gathered to welcome and receive the Lord. We pass a copy of The Word Among Us back and forth for the prayers and readings. At the Sign of Peace, everyone exchanges a heartfelt embrace. I have never experienced anything like this communion among men who know that this Holy Communion might be their last.
1200 hours (12:00 p.m.)
We move on to an Iraqi police station that was hit just yesterday by two truck bombs driven by…
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