It seems worthwhile to report every now and then on our progress. To date, April 25, 2011, we have given 111 Holman Military Branch Bibles. Eighty of those have been The Marine's Bible with seventeen going to soldier's as The Soldier's Bible and nine going to sailors as The Sailor's Bible. I have The Sailor's Bible as I was in the United States Navy. The remaining number given have been to airmen and coast guardsmen. I am asked about our funding which is easy to explain. We have none. I use my personal funds from any earnings I have and from my Social Security income and I generally buy about five bibles each month. Now and then I receive additional income and with it, first thing before I spend any of it on myself, my family or anything else, I estimate needs and then I buy from five to seven of the bibles. This is not a fast project but a steady one. As you can see from those numbers, we generally are able to give about twenty-five to thirty bibles each year. I give the Marine's Bibles to our local Marine recruiting staff and allow them to offer these bibles to marines going through their command. Some marines say, "No thank you." and we understand that. It is just what we offer. When I know the marine's name, it is printed on the bible. When I do not know to whom the bible will go, the printing reads "To a Marine."
When I know the soldier or marine, I ask them, "Would you like a bible?" and if he or she says "Yes" then I get the name as they would like it and the store prints the name on the bible. Within the first few pages of the bible is a page with "Given to:" and "Given by:" I have completed very few of those and usually only when someone asks me to do so. I want the gift to be about the bible and not about me or the project. A few have asked me to write my name for them and I have. I generally leave those spaces blank so that the recipient feels that the bible is truly his or hers and they can complete it. In my own Sailor's Bible, I have written my information which includes my name, my enlistment date, training commands and my ship, the USS Point Defiance (LSD-31), my assignments, including the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, and information important to me about my life and my family. I lost my son, Stephen William Payne (1967-2003) to diabetes and his short life is recorded there.
These are fine bibles, compact in size, tough because of the leather cover, and they are special to each serviceman because there is a section in the back filled with information by and about great military leaders of the United States Armed Forces. These include General George Patton's weather prayer of 1944, thoughts by General Jimmy Stewart, who was also a great American movie actor.
Now and then, someone will hear about us and make a donation of a few bibles. What they usually do is ask me about the cost and then write a check for the price of two bibles, about $50.00 give or take a few cents. Actually, today a bible costs me $24.61; if I have to ship it to the soldier, then I am out for the cost of a package and shipping. I keep track of the costs of bibles, which has now reached $2,936.02. I have not kept track of any other associated costs. By mentioning this figure, it is not a complaint. I receive more joy from this than anyone can imagine, especially now and then when I get to personally see the deep appreciation many of these young men and women offer in return.
A word about the image I chose for this edition. This is the American flag posted at our local American Legion in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where I attended ceremonies for future soldiers on March 9, 2011. Coincidentally, that day was the 50th anniversary of the day I enlisted and took the oath of enlistment for the United States Navy. This is a large flag and it's worn and faded. It was a wonderful back drop for the ceremonies held that evening and the flag is what it is ultimately all about for any of us who have worn the uniforms of our armed forces. Many of us notice the flag without looking at it, without seeing it. In the service it is called colors and the ceremonies we deliver are special. We have the color guard who carry and present the flag and honor it at all public ceremonies. Once you have put on the uniform and felt the brotherhood that binds us all, you can never, never see the flag in the same way again. From that day forward it represents men you have known and shared your life with, and whom you remember and honor as time goes rapidly by and some fall by the way. It represents commands where you trained or served. It represents ships in which we served and places where Americans fell and lie there still, a few of them friends of mine from Pawhuska. The military isn't easy and it isn't perfect, but it's one of the most magnificent clubs we can ever join. The American flag, Old Glory, and all the names it might be known by, represents the American freedom, which ironically includes the right to burn it in a public place in protest. To be what it is to us, they must have that right, whether we like it or not. It gives me the right to offer these bibles to young men and women who wear the uniform and I am forever grateful for that right, honor and privilege. And you will never, never see me burn or consciously injure the flag of the United States of America.
Stephen Joe "Red Boots" Payne
