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WASHINGTON D.C. (January 8, 2008) - Troops are being offered
spiritual support from a group based in Nashville, Tenn.
Strength for Service to God and Country is an ecumenical daily
devotional publication for those in service of others. It was first
published during World War II, and more than 1 million copies were
distributed between that time and the Korean conflict, said Larry
Coppock, director of Strength for Service, the group currently
filling requests for the publication.
"Strength for Service exists to equip and encourage the faiths
of American troops," he said.
After the Korean conflict, the publication went out of print.
Evan Hunsberger, a Boy Scout, discovered his grandfather's copy
and, after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, was inspired to tackle
getting the book republished as his Eagle Scout project.
According to the Abingdon Press Web site, Hunsberger's
grandfather, Eugene Hunsberger, was a Navy corpsman and read the
publication to dying men on the battlefields of the Pacific during
World War II. Since its 2002 re-release, 300,000 copies of the book
have been distributed to servicemembers and other public service
personnel, Coppock said.
"Oftentimes the books are requested by chaplains, who then give
the books to servicemen and women," he said. "(They) have not only
been given to troops deploying to the Middle East, they have also
been sent to institutions caring for the wounded."
Strength for Service has given many Americans the opportunity to
help support the troops as well, Coppock said. Churches across the
country have held "Strength for Service Sundays."
"These special Sundays give churchgoers the opportunity to
donate funds to help print and distribute books free of charge to
our troops and veterans," he said.
Strength for Service recently became a supporter of America
Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and
corporations with servicemembers and their families serving at home
and abroad.
"We hope that (through this affiliation) more people will become
aware of this one-of-a-kind resource for our troops," Coppock said.
He also said he hopes it would also help the group network with
other troop-support groups that may be willing to help with the
mission.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
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