USS Columbia - Naval Cruise Book

Page 41 text:

Here follows the message of Chaplain Thomas H. Bodie: My dear shipmates : We have fought to gain the peace. Wc shall be eternally grateful to God for His enduring cooperation in assisting us to earn this Victory. Let us humbly give thanks to God. The more grateful we are towards God, the more new graces shall we attract to ourselves; whilst ingratitude stops the course of graces, dries up like a burning wind the source of piety, the dew of mercy, and places an obstacle in the way of all the designs of God with regard to us. You, my dear mates, and countless unseen millions have prayed patiently for the dawn of peace over the world during the long days and nights since that fateful December 7th, nineteen hundred and forty one. Our prayers have been answered. Thanks be to God ! Let us resolve : first, to make acts of gratitude toward God at the sight of the heavens, the beauties of nature, and still more at the sight of churches and crosses, and for every good thought with which the goodness of God inspires us; secondly, to be faithful in making our Thanksgiving when rising, at our meals, and in the evening. Our spiritual slogan will be the The church pennant flies on V-J day. song of the Church; Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Each cloud-capt mountain is a holy altar; An organ breathes in every grove; And the full heart ' s a Psalter, Rich in deep hymn of gratitude and love. At Okinawa — Cease Firing — PEACE!

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Scoreboard. tin .IIJLV lUt ' 2 - 2 S( |il. It l5. The COIAJMttIA in ollifiaUy i-rvditt-d irith ihe lollowinu: 1. Dcstruelion of 27 plnncs. 2. ANNiNtiiiif in Iho Ninkin 1 vriiiNi ' r ami 1 ilONlrovt ' r nl flii IIATTI.K OF K.MPItK.S f A|;4;|TSTA KAY aiul 2 llHltl ' Nlii|ts, 1 (•riiiHor ami 1 fi N(roy r at tlic IIATTLK OF .SI ' lllUAO NTIIAITS. :i. Partit-ipalioii in fl Mlioru bonibnrilnit ' nlN. 36

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High Japs bow low to the Gem. Signing Occupation Terms (aboard COLUMBIA). General Blake, USMC, and staff.