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Alleluia! Strongest Armies and Costly and Powerful Weapons Made to Serve Weak, Destitute and Poor People!

This is an Analysis Summary of Reports by Various offline and online Papers

One of the largest U.S. military relief operations in history helped speed the pace of adid, delivering critical supplies to haggard survivors in severe need of food and water.

These American helicopters fly in and out of flattened villages, carrying water, biscuits and other bare necessities to reavaged communities, some of which had been impossible to reach.

Indonesia is the closest to the epicenter of the undersea earthquake and has about 100,000 plus of its inhabitants kileed.

A five-ship U.S. naval group led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was on station off Banda Aceh which is the provincial capital on the northeast coast. Its fleet of helicopters flew relief flights into Meulaboh, moving tons of supplies to survivors. This is a major help once we know that the roads have been cut.

Cargo planes from many nations and U.S. Black Hawk transport helicopters and C-130 cargo planes continued to land supplies at the Banda Aceh airport.

Coordinator of the U.N. relief orperations in Indonesia, Michael Elmquist, said, "It's absolutely life-saving. We are absolutely thrilled that Americans are doing that. They are the only ones who have the capacity to reach those parts of the population right now."

Alleluia! Armies and weapons are made to serve people, the most destitute and abandoned survivors of these tragedies. At the same time, Americans and many citizens from the world want to say to these afflicted people that they are not alone. We are all part of the human experience. When one suffers, all of us suffer. So far, many of the countries that are helping are doing so for humanitarian purposes. There are no clear immediate gains

"They've helped us reach places we have not had the time, or manpower, or equipment to go to," said Basuki, noting that Americans had helped clear helicopter landing spaces for the arrival of future supplies. "It really speeds up the distribution of aid to (Sumatra's) west coast

"I'd much rather be doing this than fighting a war," said helicopter pilot Lt. Cmdr. William Whitsitt of Great Falls, Mont.

On Monday, the USS Bonhomme Richard and two other warships carrying a Marine expeditionary unit, dozens of helicopters and tons of supplies steamed into the Indian Ocean to join in relief operations off the hard-hit northwest coast of Sumatra.

"We've been racing across the ocean," said Rear Adm. Chris Ames, commander of the strike force.

Ames acknowledged that the situation in Sri Lanka remains unclear, and that the mission for the Marines is still developing. He said the Marines' primary responsibilities would include ferrying food and medical supplies to villages in need. He also stressed that having "boots on the ground" would bring badly needed manpower for constructing temporary shelters, clearing roads and operating water purification equipment.

The ships are part of one of the largest U.S. military missions in Asia since the Vietnam War ended in 1975. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its battle group are operating off northern Sumatra, the hardest hit area, and U.S. airlift operations are being flown out of Utapao, a base in Thailand used to stage bombing missions in the Vietnam era.

The Catholic Church Reaches Out to the Needy in Wake of Catastrophe

According to www.Zenit.org, John Paul II offered prayers in the wake of the tsumani-earthquake disaster in Asia, and kept in touch with his representatives in the region.

The Dec. 26 earthquake, just off the coast of the island of Sumatra, triggered a tsunami whose death toll could reach 150,000. Effects of the tsunami were felt as far away as Africa.

While praying for the victims and their families, the Pope has followed news of the disaster and has maintained contact with his nuncios in the affected areas.

Last Sunday, the day of the catastrophe, after praying the Angelus together with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father requested that "the international community make every relief effort possible to these regions." He also assured them of his prayers and solidarity with all the suffering.

The Pope prepared to send an urgent initial aid package through the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum."

At the end of Wednesday's general audience, John Paul II said: "News from Asia continue to reveals the vastness of the immense catastrophe which affected mainly India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand."

"The international community and many humanitarian organizations promptly began to organize aid," he said, according to Fides. "The same is being done by the Church's many charity institutions.

"In this season of Christmas I urge believers and all men and women of good will to contribute generously to the major operation of solidarity for these peoples so tragically stricken and now exposed to the risk of epidemics of disease."

He added: "I am close to all with my love and prayers, especially to the injured and the homeless, while I entrust to the Divine Mercy of God the countless number of people who lost their lives."

The Italian bishops' conference has decided to contribute 3 million euros ($4 million) in aid. The Holy Father's humanitarian aid fund, "Cor Unum," has opened a special bank account to receive donations, according to Agence France-Presse.

Meanwhile, the U.S.-based Catholic Relief Services announced a commitment of $25 million for emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation programs to assist people across the south and southeast Asia region devastated by the tsunami.

To contribute to CRS tsunami relief efforts, send donations to:

Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21203-7090
Memo line: Tsunami Emergency