CAPT. FREED, 3 Pirates Dead, 1 In Custody

Great news for those of us who have been watching this hostage taking of one of our own, Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama ship that was taken hostage Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Here are some breaking news stories:

US captain 'freed from pirates'.

The captain of a US container ship taken hostage by Somali pirates has been released, US media report. According to initial reports, three pirates were killed in the operation to free Captain Richard Phillips. Another is in custody. Capt Phillips is said to be unhurt and on the USS Bainbridge, a warship sent to track the pirates holding him. He was taken hostage last Wednesday after pirates briefly hijacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama. [Source: BBC.]

Then we have CNN:

Captain jumps overboard, SEALs shoot pirates, official says.

(CNN) -- The captain of the Maersk Alabama was freed Sunday after being held captive since Wednesday by pirates off the coast of Somalia, a senior U.S. official with knowledge of the situation told CNN.

1 of 2 Capt. Richard Phillips was helped out of the water off the Somali coast and is uninjured and in good condition, the official said. He was taken aboard the USS Bainbridge, a nearby naval warship, and later flown to the USS Boxer, where he was "resting comfortably," the U.S. Navy said.

At the time of the shootings, the fourth pirate was aboard the Bainbridge negotiating with officials, the source said. That pirate was taken into custody.

Phillips was rescued at 7:19 p.m. (12:19 p.m. ET), according to the Navy.

Phillips, who was taken hostage Wednesday after the pirates hijacked the ship he captained, the Maersk Alabama, has contacted his family and received a routine medical exam, the U.S. Navy Central Command said in a statement. View a timeline of the attack and its aftermath »

Don't Miss:

• In the Field Blog: Snippets of fear and bravery.
• Source: Pirates repel sailors attempting to reach captain.
• Ex-crew member: Captain prepared for pirate attack.
• WPVI: Crew member's fiancee: 'Feels like a dream'.

... [Source: CNN.]

Well. All this was done WITHOUT gov't help or intervention of any sort. Oh, they may say President Obama was working behind the scenes, maybe so. So be it if he was. If so, good for him. I rather tend to believe that is not true. If I am wrong, GREAT! (But I doubt I'm wrong. Where would teleprompter go?)

THANK YOU, GOD ALMIGHTY, FOR THE RELEASE OF THIS CAPTIAN RICHARD PHILLIPS, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRECIOUS SON, JESUS CHRIST!!! All praise be unto You, LORD! Thank You for a wonderful Easter gift...Again!

GO NAVY!

Happy Easter everyone!

Update: President Obama did authorize use of force twice against the pirates. Good on him.

May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.

Cross-posted @ Talon, TCU, SGP and Rosemary's News and Ideas. Digg!