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Volume 85 - Number Three - Fall 2012

New MCA Executive Director Why the MCA? Patton Prayer Women’s Anniversary

The Military Chaplain 1 In Memoriam Bernard C. Goertz, COL USA Ret John H. Hoyt, Lt Col USAF Ret Jack C. Randles, COL USA Ret 14 February 2012, Red Rock, TX 2 June 2012, Greenacres, FL 29 July 2010, Aberdeen, MD Roman Catholic Free Methodist Church of North Southern Baptist Convention Member 1973; Life Member 1983 America Member 1966; Life Member 1973 Member 1971; Life Member 1988 A. Byron Holderby, Jr., RADM CHC USN Ret 24 August 2012, Pinehurst, NC Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Member 1995; Life Member 2003

Welcome Aboard! Member updates on information New Annual Members New Associate Member received 5 June through 15 Au- Active with annual dues. Renews Chaplain colleagues and MCA gust 2012. Send corrections or items yearly magazine subscription. friends who support our objectives but missed to @mca-usa.org. We do not hold appointment in one of our will post in the next issue. Robert F. Burt, RADM CHC five constituent federal chaplaincies. USN Ret New Life Member Silverdale, WA Nanette Mueller Chaplain colleagues who choose “Life Open Bible Churches Diamondhead, MS Member” status. No dues renewal. Anglican Permanent magazine subscription. Karen L. Onesti, Capt CAP Clayton, NJ Gregory G. Caiazzo, CAPT CHC New Emerson Foundation USN Ret Victor D. Pagan, Capt USAF Member Vacaville, CA Cibolo, TX Roman of God (Cleveland, TN) Annual member 2008 Andrew G. McIntosh, Maj USAF Life member March 2012 Ronald B. Taylor, Capt CAP Denver, NC Del Rio, TX The Episcopal Church Southern Baptist Convention

A New “Look” You have probably noticed a “new look” to our magazine. With the arrival of our new Executive Director, we thought we might try a new, slightly different approach to our members’ magazine. We have tried to simplify and streamline the design and layout, make it easier to read, but yet keeping the content and purpose pretty much the same. We hope you like it! If not, send us an email with your comments -- what you don’t like about the old versus the new, and what you DO like about the new versus the old. Email to: [email protected]. About the Cover Remembering our fallen Warrior Heroes associated with the Battle of the Bulge and the surrounding area, we show a map of the “bulge” in central-western Europe in December 1944, and four American cemeteries nearby: Top Left -- Aisne-Marne Cemetery Top Right -- Luxembourg-American Cemetery Bottom Left -- Ardennes Military Cemetery Bottom Right -- Henri-Chappel Cemetery 2 The Military Chaplain From Our National MCA National President Leaders President - 2014 Your Military Chaplain Associ- ation has been busy this summer! Edward T. Brogan, USAF Ret Vice President - 2014 We’ve worked with the Mili- tary Coalition to defend military Gregory G. Caiazzo, USN Ret benefits in a time of tough budget Secretary - 2013 fights in DC. Swerdlow, DVA / USA Ret We have planned a National In- Treasurer - 2013 stitute for next April 9-11 in Get- Eric S. Renne, Sr. USAF Ret tysburg, Pennsylvania; we’ll be able to recollect the days of battle Executive Committee on its 150th anniversary year. We Class of 2013 are gathering great speakers and Brian L. Bohlman, SCANG will include a guided tour of the under the Secretary of Defense; Samuel J. T. Boone, USA Ret battlefield. The former Army their report is due out imminent- James K. Ellis, USN Ret Chaplain Historian, Dr. ly. Robert Certain comes to the Kenneth L. Hegtvedt, USA John Brinsfield, will talk of chap- MCA as a combat war veteran lain service at the Battle of Get- and later as a long-serving chap- Class of 2014 tysburg. lain in many settings in the Air Vacant Force and Joint world. Andrew G. McIntosh, USAF Best of all, your MCA has a James H. , USN Ret new Executive Director, Chap- Chaplain Certain will lead our James A.Sickmeyer, CAP lain, , Robert G. Certain, MCA board in setting a fresh USAFR (Ret). He assumed lead- vision for the years ahead and Class of 2015 ership on 15 August after being in finding fresh ways to be “The David M. DeDonato, USA Ret unanimously elected by the MCA Voice of Chaplaincy.” Marvin L. Mills, USA Ret / DVA Act National Executive Committee. Jeffrey N. Saville, USN We anticipate new pleasure Steven A. Schaick, USAF Chaplain Robert G. Certain, in reading the magazine, and a Trustees brings a wealth of experience in real dedication in the magazine Class of 2013 the military, with government, as to speaking on issues that count Theodore Bowers, USN Ret a successful , and as a leader for serving chaplains across the in organizations benefiting veter- military and the VA. This voice Class of 2014 ans. will be critically important as the Timon Davison, ARNG / DVA Ret entire military faces budget chal- Chaplain Certain is eager to lenges and the need to reset from Class of 2015 build on the reputation and ac- a war to peacetime setting in the Janet R. McCormack, USAF Ret complishments of the MCA. He next couple of years. sees more ways to speak out for National Staff Please join me in welcoming chaplaincy in the press and in the Executive Director halls of power. He will seek to to our team Chaplain, Colonel, engage with other Military Coali- Robert Certain, USAFR(Ret) as Robert G. Certain, USAFR Ret tion organizations to seek benefits our Executive Director! We are Associate Executive for military, veterans, and their so pleased to welcome him and Director families. also his wife Robbie to our family! George E. Dobes, USN Ret He spent the past two years Chaplain Edward T. Brogan, engaged on military suicides as MCA President Webmaster a member of a select committee Daniel G. DeBlock, USA Ret

The Military Chaplain 3 Awake, Awake ...

I am excited to begin a new min- Awake, awake to love and work! tee. We all need to volunteer to act istry as the Executive Director of The lark is in the sky; as mentors for new chaplains as they the Military Chaplains Association. The fields are wet with diamond adjust to chaplaincy; for reserve and When I was a combat aviator dur- dew; National Guard chaplains before, ing the war in , chaplains The worlds awake to cry during, and after deployments; and were always clearly visible and avail- Their blessings on the Lord for retiring/resigning chaplains as able. They prayed for our safety be- of life, they re-enter ministry. For fore a mission, checked on us when As He goes meekly by. those of us no longer in military we returned, led us in worship, and uniform, we would do well to serve counseled us in need. To give and give, and give as advocates to congregations to again, understand and support deployed When I returned from combat, I What God hath given thee; as well as to train all of our entered the ministry and the chap- To spend thyself nor count congregations to welcome, incorpo- laincy of the USAF, serving for an- the cost; rate, and otherwise include veterans. other 24 years. Wherever we have To serve right gloriously We can serve as counselors for com- served chaplains still run into the The God Who gave all worlds bat veterans and help the counseling same land where our combatants that are, community to understand their role and their families live, work, fight And all that are to be. in ministering to those who have and die to comfort the injured. served this nation. Today’s combat arena may be I am convinced that the Military known by OIF, OEF, or any of a Chaplains Association – active, re- hundred different acronyms; the serve, former, and retired – can be a wounds are known as TBI, PTSD, major force for the good in the years and a myriad other medical, psy- ahead. We have an important, even chological, and moral injuries. Ac- vital, role to play both during and tive component, reserve component, after our time in uniform. Whether veterans and their families all tread we work in the armed forces, in the through the minefields that consti- Department of Veterans Affairs, in tute military service and its after- civilian congregations or in civic math. organizations, we are still chap- lains, carrying on the traditions of Just as chaplains in combat have men like the of the braved personal danger to bring re- Dorchester, moving willingly and lief to others, so we are called to do quickly into places where injuries the same … whether or not we are have occurred, to bring comfort and still in uniform. relief, to aid in healing, reconcilia- In the past few years, the work tion and restoration, and to make of the Military Chaplains Associa- sure that no one is ever left behind. tion – YOUR work – has seemed to Let us work together, shoulder to languish. My intention is to wake shoulder, to continue in ministry to us up, to point the way, to lead the I am not coming on board to la- the men and women of our armed charge, and to bring relief to the in- ment the past or wallow in the pres- services and to their families, to give jured. ent. My purpose as the Executive and give and give again as God has Director of the Association will be given us. After , a British chap- to wake us all up, to help define the lain, Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy, mission, and to step out shoulder to Robert G. Certain wrote a few hymns, particularly this shoulder to get it done. Many of our Chaplain, Colonel, one: first steps have already been defined USAFR (retired) by the National Executive Commit- Executive Director, MCA

4 The Military Chaplain The Rev. Dr. Robert G. Certain

Robert Certain was born in Sa- Strategic Air Command and Air Quest in vannah, Georgia in December 1947. Mobility Command, and at the Air 2008 and An alumnus of Bethesda-Chevy Force Academy. He also is a gradu- collaborat- Chase High School in Maryland, ate of the Air War College. He re- ed on the he attended in tired from the Air Force Reserves in writing and Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated in 1999 at the rank of Colonel. publication 1969 with a BA degree in History of a novel, and a commission in the US Air Father Certain has served parish- Yankee Air Force. As a combat aviator he flew es in Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Pirates, in 100 missions over Southeast Asia in Arizona, California, and Georgia. 2010. 1971 and 1972. He was shot down When he accepted the work of the and captured in December 1972; Executive Director of the MCA, he When former President Gerald and repatriated when the war ended retired from parish ministry. He R. Ford died in late 2006, Father a few months later. also served on the Defense Health Certain was chosen to lead all the Board from 2007-2011, and on its memorial services and to preside at Following the Vietnam War, he committees on psychological health his burial in Michigan. In 2008 he attended the School of Theology, an and medical ethics. In 2009 he was was asked by Sen. John McCain to Episcopal Church seminary in Se- appointed by the White House and give the opening invocation at the wanee, Tennessee, and was ordained the DoD to the Task Force for Pre- Republican National Convention. as a priest in 1976 after he received vention of Suicide by Members of his Master of Divinity degree. In the Armed Forces. Dr. Certain is Dr. Certain was awarded the Or- 1990, he was awarded his Doctor of currently on the VA Advisory Com- der of the West Range by the Pi Ministry degree from the School of mittee on Former POWs and the Kappa Alpha Fraternity in 2008 in Theology. executive committee of the National recognition of his lifetime achieve- Action Alliance for Suicide Preven- ments. In his capacity as a military chap- tion. lain, he served in the Air Force on Robert is married to the former active duty and in the reserves. As a Robert published his autobiogra- Robbie Wade of Blytheville, Arkan- reservist he was assigned in various phy, Unchained Eagle in 2003, with sas. They have two grown children locations, including basic military a second edition in 2010. He also and two grandchildren. training, at the headquarters of the wrote and published The Spiritual MCA National Institute Save the Dates 9-11 April, 2013 Gettysburg, PA Complete information in the next issue

The Military Chaplain 5 Why I Joined the MCA?

At the National Executive Com- rifices associated with a career in ble lobbying force ever to fight on mittee (NEC) meeting last Spring, uniformed service, and the need behalf of service members, retirees, all members were asked why they to maintain a similarly unique sys- and families.” joined MCA. It came around to tem of compensation and benefits me, although not officially an NEC to attract and retain the kinds and Working in tandem to reach member. I answered quite frankly numbers of high-quality personnel shared goals on behalf of America’s that I had two reasons. First, Chap- needed to meet the Nation’s short- service members is TMC’s hall- lain “Bill” Dando was the Executive and long-term defense require- mark, and it’s how the consortium Director at the time and I knew him ments. began. After first banding togeth- and his enthusiastic , hard-working er in the mid-1980s to fight the spirit. Secondly, Bill moved MCA The philosophy of The Coalition Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit into membership with The Military is that, by working together on is- reduction law, the coalition formal- Coalition (TMC). sues of mutual agreement, the par- ized in 1986. Each member organi- ticipating organizations can harness zation has at least one representative The legendary work of Bill Dando the grassroots support of more than assigned to one of eight legislative is well-known by us “old-timers,” 5.5 million members plus their fam- standing committees: Guard and and could be a subject of another ilies and accomplish far more than Reserve; health care; military con- essay. But, I would like to focus on by working on these initiatives sep- struction/morale, welfare and recre- TMC since most of our members arately. When one or more of the ation/exchanges; military personnel, know MCA is a member, but may Coalition organizations is invited to compensation, and commissaries; not know what TMC is about. testify before Congress, TMC fre- retired affairs; survivor programs; quently coordinates the testimony taxes and social security; and veter- The Military Coalition is a group with the other Coalition associa- ans. Temporary committees address of 34 military, veterans and uni- tions and presents it on behalf of the issues that fall outside the purview formed services organizations in entire Coalition. This lends greater of the standing committees. joint pursuit of the following goals: weight and unanimity to the testi- mony than if it were presented by Each of these committees reviews, • Maintaining a strong national any individual association. debates, and recommends to the defense provided by recruiting and “body of the whole” issues for TMC retaining skilled and highly capable Strong national defense, military to champion. Goals are proposed personnel in the seven uniformed members’ compensation and ben- each Fall and ratified in December services; efits, responding to assaults on pay before the start of the next session and benefits, and public education, or next Congress. Each member or- • Maintaining uniformed services you, as MCA members, have an ex- ganization’s own goals are not obvi- compensation and benefits at levels tra voice in these as chaplains and ated, and a member group can elect sufficient to attract and retain pro- those who support military and VA to have its name removed from spe- fessional uniformed service mem- chaplaincy. Whether you belong to cific correspondence or testimony. bers for careers of service to the Na- other Military Service Organiza- Generally, the majority vote rules, tion; tions (MSO) or Veterans Service but if five or more members oppose • Representing the interests of Organizations (VSO), MCA is a a coalition action or position, it’s the entire uniformed services com- team member in TMC adding our tabled. munity, including members’ families unique perspective as “The Voice of Those familiar with and mem- and survivors, and responding to as- Chaplaincy.” bers of the Military Officers Asso- saults upon the compensation and TMC represents millions of ciation of America (MOAA) know benefits earned by members of that members and their families, making the name Colonel Steve Strobridge, community through years of dedi- it a strong advocate. It is so strong, USAF Retired, MOAA’s Director of cated service; and in fact, that Military Update syndi- Government Relations and cochair • Educating the public on the cated columnist Tom Philpott has of TMC. “The Coalition provides extraordinary demands and sac- said, “It may be the most formida- a forum for us to educate Congress

6 The Military Chaplain and the public,” Strobridge says. “The challenge is to highlight an in- The following are the associations of The Military Coalition, equity [and] make them understand in alphabetical order. what the shortfall is. Then it’s a • Air Force Association (AFA) matter of getting House and Senate • Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) champions willing to stand up and talk about the importance of fixing • Air Force Women Officers Associated (AFWOA) the inequity.” But winning a big • AMVETS (American Veterans) battle doesn’t signify the end of the • Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) war. “Once Congress gets into belt- tightening mode, watch out. Many • Association of Military Surgeons of the (AMSUS) in Congress and the Pentagon think • Association of the (AUSA) military people are too expensive,” • Association of the United States Navy (AUSN) Strobridge says. “As long as [Amer- ica is] at war, there’s empathy for the • Commissioned Officers Association (COA) of the United States military. But with the economy in Public Health Service, Inc. trouble and deficits rising dramati- • CWOA, US Coast Guard cally, that could change in a hurry.” • Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States Besides the Post 9-11 GI Bill, (EANGUS) TMC counts its legislative gains in • Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) issues for the Active/Reserve Force, • Gold Star Wives of America (GSW) Health Care, Retirement and Sur- vivors benefits, the Military Fam- • Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America ( JWV) ily and Veterans. TMC also testi- • Marine Corps League (MCL) fies before Congress, three times in • Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America the past month of March. You may check out TMC’s website for spe- • Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA) cifics: www.themilitarycoalition.org. • Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America (MCA) TMC meets once a month in Al- • Military Officers Association of America(MOAA) exandria, , and an MCA or the Executive Director • Military Order of the Purple Heart (ED) is faithfully in attendance. • National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS) Additionally, TMC correspondence • National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) to members of Congress is coordi- nated through our MCA ED for • National Military Family Association (NMFA) concurrence/non-concurrence on • Naval Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA) the average of once a month. • Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) Your MCA is a team-player in all • Reserve Enlisted Association (REA) this. As part of the TMC, MCA • Reserve Officers Association (ROA) gives the voice of our profession and lends unanimous support to legis- • Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces (SMCAF) lative issues involving the good of • The Retired Enlisted Association(TREA) our Troops, Veterans, and Family • United States Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA) Members, a voice that will not be silenced. That’s a principal reason • USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA) why I joined MCA. • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) George E. Dobes, • Vietnam Veterans of America (VAA) Associate Executive Director, MCA • Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)

The Military Chaplain 7 The True Story of the Patton Prayer

man himself, and cause him to be cember 8. The few prayer books at enshrined by generations to come as hand contained no formal prayer on one of the greatest of our soldiers. weather that might prove acceptable by Chaplain He had all the traits of military to the Army . Keeping James H. O’Neill, leadership, fortified by genuine trust his immediate objective in mind, I U.S. Army in God, intense love of country, and typed an original and an improved high in the American soldier. copy on a 5” x 3” filling card: He had no use for half-measures. Almighty and most merci- (The original article was published He wrote this line a few days before ful Father, we humbly beseech in The Military Chaplain, October- his death: “Anyone in any walk of Thee, of Thy great goodness, to November 1948, volume XIX, Num- life who is content with mediocrity restrain these immoderate rains ber 2.) is untrue to himself and to Ameri- can tradition.” He was true to the with which we have had to con- Many conflicting and some un- principles of his , Episcopa- tend. Grant us fair weather for true stories have been printed about lian, and was regular in Church at- Battle. Graciously hearken to us General [George S.] Patton and the tendance and practices, unless duty as soldiers who call upon Thee Third Army prayer. Some have had made his presence impossible. that, armed with Thy power, we the tinge of blasphemy and disre- may advance from victory to vic- spect for the Deity. Even in War The incident of the now famous tory, and crush the oppression As I Saw It by General Patton, the Patton Prayer commenced with a and wickedness of our enemies, footnote on the Prayer by Colonel telephone call to the Third Army and establish Thy justice among Paul D. Harkins, Patton’s Deputy Chaplain on the morning of De- men and nations. Amen. Chief of Staff, while containing the cember 8, 1944, when the Third I pondered the question, what elements of a funny story about the Army Headquarters were located use would General Patton make General and his Chaplain, is not the in the Caserne Molifor, in Nancy, of the prayer? Surely not for pri- true account of the prayer incident : “This is General Patton; do vate devotion. If he intended it for or its sequence. you have a good prayer for weath- er? We must do something about circulation to chaplains or others, As the Chief Chaplain of the Third these rains if we are to win this war.” with Christmas not far removed, it Army throughout the five cam- My reply was that I knew where to might be proper to type the Army paigns on the Staff of General Pat- look for such a prayer, that I would Commander’s Christmas Greet- ton, I should have some knowledge locate, and report within the hour. ings on the reverse side. This would of the event because at the direc- As I hung up the telephone re- please the recipient, and anything tion of General Patton I composed ceiver, about eleven in the morning, that pleased the men I knew would the now world-famous prayer, and I looked out on the steadily falling please him. “To each officer and wrote Training Letter No. 5, which rain, “immoderate” I would call it soldier in the Third United States constitutes an integral, but untold – the same rain that had plagued Army, I wish a Merry Christmas. I part, of the prayer story. These inci- General Patton’s Army throughout have full confidence in your courage, dents, narrated in sequence, should the Moselle and Saar Campaigns devotion to duty, and skill in battle. serve to enhance the memory of the from September until now, De- We march in our might to complete

8 The Military Chaplain Continued from previous page victory. May God’s blessing rest takes careful planning, or thinking. upon each of you on this Christmas Then you must have well-trained Day. G.S. Patton, Jr., Lieutenant troops to carry it out: that’s working. General, Commanding, Third Unit- But between the plan and the op- ed States Army.” eration there is always an unknown. That unknown spells defeat or vic- This done, I donned my heavy tory, success or failure. It is the reac- trench coat, crossed the quadrangle tion of the actors to the ordeal when of the old French military barracks, it actually comes. Some people and reported to General Patton. call that getting the breaks; I call it He read the prayer copy, returned God. God has His part, or margin it to me with a very casual direc- in everything. That’s where prayer tive, “Have 250,000 copies printed comes in. Up to now, in the Third and see to it every man in the Third Army, God has been very good to Army gets one.” The size of the or- us. We have never retreated; we der amazed me; this was certainly morphine and caring for a wounded have suffered no defeats, no famine, doing something about the weather soldier until the ambulance came. no epidemics. This is because a lot in a big way. But I said nothing but What was coming now? of people back home are praying the usual “Very well, sir!” Recover- for us. We were lucky in Africa, in ing, I invited his attention to the re- “Chaplain, how much praying Sicily, and in Italy, simply because verse side containing the Christmas is being done in the Third Army?” people prayed. But we have to pray Greeting, with his name and rank was his question. I parried: “Does for ourselves, too. A good soldier typed. “Very good,” he said, with a the General mean by chaplains, or is not made merely by making him smile of approval. “If the General by the men?” “By everybody,” he think and work. There is something would sign the card, it would add replied. To this I countered: “I am in the every soldier that goes deeper a personal touch that I am sure the afraid to admit it, but I do not be- than thinking or working – it’s his men would like.” He took his place lieve that much praying is going ‘guts.’ It is something that he has at his desk, signed the card, returned on. When there is fighting, every- built in there: it is a world of truth it to me, and then said: “Chaplain, one prays, but now with this con- and power that is higher than him- sit down for a moment; I want to stant rain – when things are quiet, self. Great living is not all output talk to you about this business of dangerously quiet, men just sit and of thought and work. A man has prayer.” He rubbed his face in his wait for things to happen. Prayer to have intake as well. I don’t know hands, was silent for a moment, out here is difficult. Both chaplains what you call it, but I call it Reli- then rose and walked over to the and men are removed from a special gion, Prayer, or God. high window, and stood there with building with a steeple. Prayer to his back toward me as he looked out most of them is a formal, ritualized He talked about Gideon in the on the falling rain. As usual, he was affair, involving special posture and Bible, said that men should pray no dressed stunningly, and his six-foot- a liturgical setting. I do not believe matter where they were, in church two powerfully built physique made that much praying is being done.” or out of it; that if they did not pray, an unforgettable silhouette against sooner or later they would “crack the great window. The General The General left the window, and up.” To all this I commented agree- Patton I saw there was the Army again seated himself at his desk, ment; that one of the major training Commander to whom the welfare leaned back in his swivel chair, toy- objectives of my office was to help of the men under him was a mat- ing with a long lead pencil between soldiers recover and make their lives ter of personal responsibility. Even his index fingers. effective in this third realm, prayer. in the heat of combat he could take It would do no harm to re-impress time out to direct new methods to Chaplain, I am a strong believer this training on chaplains. We had prevent trench feet, to see to it that in prayer. There are three ways that about 486 chaplains in the Third dry socks went forward daily with men get what they want; by plan- Army at that time, representing 32 the rations to troops on the line, ning, by working, and by praying. denominations. Once the Third to kneel in the mud administering And any great military operation Army had become operational, my

The Military Chaplain 9 Continued from previous page mode of contact with the chaplains Army over my signature as Third urge its practice. But the time is now had been chiefly through Training Army Chaplain. Strictly speaking, it to intensify our faith in prayer, not Letters issued from time to time to was the Army Commander’s letter, alone with ourselves, but with every the chaplains in the four corps and not mine. Due to the fact that the believing man, Protestant, Catholic, the 22 to 26 divisions comprising order came directly from General Jew, or Christian, in the ranks of the the Third Army. Each treated of a Patton, distribution was completed Third United States Army.” variety of subjects of corrective or on December 11 and 12 in advance training value to a chaplain working of its date line, December 14, 1944. “Those who pray do more for the with troops in the field. [General Titled “Training Letter No. 5,” with world than those who fight; and if Patton continued:] the salutary “Chaplains of the Third the world goes from bad to worse, Army,” the letter continued: “At this it is because there are more battles I wish you would put out a stage of the operations I would call than prayers. ‘Hands lifted up,’ said Training Letter on this subject of upon the chaplains and the men of Bossuet, ‘smash more battalions Prayer to all the chaplains; write the Third United States Army to than hands that strike.’ Gideon of about nothing else, just the impor- focus their attention on the impor- Bible fame was least in his father’s tance of prayer. Let me see it be- tance of prayer.” house. He came from Israel’s small- fore you send it. We’ve got to get est tribe. But he was a mighty man not only the chaplains but every “Our glorious march from the of valor. His strength lay not in his man in the Third Army to pray. Normandy Beach across France to military might, but in his recogni- We must ask God to stop these where we stand, before and beyond tion of God’s proper claims upon rains. These rains are that margin the Siegfried Line, with the wreck- his life. He reduced his Army from that holds defeat or victory. If we age of the German Army behind us, thirty-two thousand to three hun- all pray, it will be like what Dr. should convince the most skeptical dred men lest the people of Israel Carrel said [the allusion was to soldier that God has ridden with would think that their valor had a press quote some days previ- our banner. Pestilence and famine saved them. We have no intention ously when Dr. Alexis Carrel, have not touched us. We have con- to reduce our striking force. But we one of the foremost scientists, tinued in unity of purpose. We have must urge, instruct, and indoctri- described prayer ‘as one of the had no quitters; and our leadership nate every fighting man to pray as most powerful forms of energy has been masterful. The Third Army well as fight. In Gideon’s day, and man can generate’], it will be like has no roster of Retreats. None of in our own, spiritually alert minori- plugging in on a current whose Defeats. We have no memory of a ties carry the burdens and bring the source is in Heaven. I believe that lost battle to hand on to our chil- victories.” prayer completes that circuit. It is dren from this great campaign.” power. “Urge all of your men to pray, not alone in church, but everywhere. With that the General arose from Pray when driving. Pray when his chair, a sign that the interview fighting. Pray alone. Pray with was ended. I returned to my field others. Pray by night and pray by desk, typed Training Letter No. 5 day. Pray for the cessation of im- while the “copy” was “hot,” touching moderate rains, for good weather on some or all of General’s reverie for Battle. Pray for the defeat of our on Prayer, and after staff process- wicked enemy whose banner is in- ing, presented it to General Patton justice and whose god is oppression. on the next day. The General read Pray for Victory. Pray for our Army, it, and without change directed that “But we are not stopping at the and pray for peace. it be circulated not alone to the 486 Siegfried Line. Tough days may be chaplains, but to every organization ahead of us before we eat our rations “We must march together, all out commander down to and including in the Chancellory of the Deutsches for God. The soldier who ‘cracks’ the regimental level. Three thou- Reich.” up does not need sympathy or com- sand two hundred copies were dis- fort as much as he needs strength. tributed to every unit in the Third “As chaplains it is our business to We are not trying to make the best pray. We preach its importance. We these days. It is our job to make the 10 The Military Chaplain Continued from previous page most of them. Now is not the time duced visibility to a few yards. The flying weather. Our planes came to follow God from ‘afar off.’ This few divisions on the Luxembourg over by tens, hundreds, and thou- Army needs the assurance and faith frontier were surprised and brushed sands. They knocked out hundreds that God is with us. With prayer, aside. They found it hard to fight of tanks, killed thousands of enemy we cannot fail.” an enemy they could neither see nor troops in the Bastogne salient, and hear. For three days it looked to the harried the enemy as he valiantly jubilant Nazis as if their desperate tried to bring up reinforcements. gamble would succeed. They had The 101st Airborne, with the 4th, achieved complete surprise. Their 9th and 10th Armored Divisions, Sixth Panzer Army, rejuvenated in which saved Bastogne, and other secret after its debacle in France, divisions which assisted so valiantly seared through the Ardennes like a in driving the Germans home, will hot knife through butter. The First testify to the great support rendered Army’s VIII Corps was holding by our air forces. General Patton this area with three divi- prayed for fair weather for battle. sions (one of them new, and in the He got it. “Be assured that this message on line only a few days) thinly disposed prayer has the approval, the en- over an 88-mile front and with one couragement, and the enthusiastic armored division far to the rear, in support of the Third United States reserve. The VIII Corps had been in Army Commander.” the sector for months. It was con- sidered a semi-rest area and outside “With every good wish to each of a little patrolling was wholly an of you for a very Happy Christmas, inactive position. and my personal congratulations for your splendid and courageous work When the blow struck the VIII since landing on the beach, I am, Corps fought with imperishable It was late in January of 1945 “ etc., etc., signed The Third Army heroism. The Germans were slowed when I saw the Army Command- Chaplain.” down but the Corps was too shat- er again. This was in the city of tered to stop them with its remnants. Luxembourg. He stood directly in The timing of the prayer story Meanwhile, to the north, the Fifth front of me, smiled: “Well, Padre, is important: let us rearrange the Panzer Army was slugging through our prayers worked. I knew they dates; the “Prayer Conference” with another powerful prong along the would.” Then he cracked me on the General Patton was 8 December; vulnerable boundary between the side of my steel helmet with his rid- the 664th Engineer Topographi- VIII and VI Corps. Had the bad ing crop. That was his way of saying, cal Company, at the order of Col- weather continued there is no tell- “Well done.” onel David H. Tulley, C.E., Assis- ing how far the Germans might tant to the Third Army Engineer, have advanced. On the 19th of [Editor’s Note: Chaplain James H. working night and day reproduced December, the Third Army turned O’Neill was eventually promoted to 250,000 copies of the Prayer Card; from East to North to meet the at- Brigadier General and became Dep- the Adjutant General, Colonel tack. As General Patton rushed his uty Chief of Chaplains, U.S. Army, Robert S. Cummings, supervised divisions north from the Saar Val- from August 1948 to July 1952. In the distribution of both the Prayer ley to the relief of the beleaguered 1952, Msgr. O’Neill retired from the Cards and Training Letter No. 5 Bastogne, the prayer was answered. US Army and continued his priestly to reach the troops by December On December 20, to the consterna- ministry at the Cathedral of the Sa- 12-14. The break-through was on tion of the Germans and the de- cred Heart, of Pueblo, Colo- December 16 in the First Army light of the American forecasters rado. He died on April 17, 1972 in Zone when the Germans crept out who were equally surprised at the the 57th year of his priesthood and the of the Schnee Eifel Forest in the turnabout – the rains and the fogs 80th year of his life. He was buried in midst of heavy rains, thick fogs, and ceased. For the better part of a week the Bishop’s Section of Roselawn Cem- swirling ground mists that muffled came bright clear skies and perfect etery, Pueblo, Colorado.] sound, blotted out the sun, and re- The Military Chaplain 11 Earn your Master of Arts or Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy. If you’re serious about chaplaincy, choose Columbia International University. To learn more, visit www.ciu.edu or call Dr. Michael Langston at (800) 777-2227, ext. 5313.

“CIU’s chaplaincy program is the most in-depth and comprehensive I’ve seen. I endorse it 100%.” Chaplain (MG) Doug Carver, USA, Ret. Columbia International University’s Former U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains Chaplaincy program specializes in the eight functional areas of professional chaplaincy Earn your Master of Arts or Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy. If you’re serious about chaplaincy, · Military · Institutional choose Columbia International University. · Corporate · Sports Let’s Impact the World Together. To learn more, visit www.ciu.edu or call Dr. Michael Langston at (800) 777-2227, ext. 5313. · Healthcare · Educational www.ciu.edu | (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024 | [email protected] · Public Safety · Disaster Relief “CIU’s chaplaincy program is the most in-depth and comprehensive Earn your Master of Arts or Master of Divinity I’ve seen. I endorse it 100%.” in Chaplaincy. If you’re serious about chaplaincy, Chaplain (MG) Doug Carver, USA, Ret. Columbiachoose International Columbia International University’s University. Former U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains Chaplaincy programTo learn more,specializes visit www.ciu.edu in the eight or call functionalDr. areas Michael of professional Langston at (800)chaplaincy 777-2227, ext. 5313. · Military · Institutional · Corporate · Sports Let’s Impact the World Together. · Healthcare · Educational“CIU’s chaplaincy program is the www.ciu.edu | (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024 | [email protected] · Public Safety · Disastermost in-depth Relief and comprehensive I’ve seen. I endorse it 100%.” Chaplain (MG) Doug Carver, USA, Ret. Columbia International University’s Former U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains Chaplaincy program specializes in the eight functional areas of professional chaplaincy · Military · Institutional · Corporate · Sports Let’s Impact the World Together. · Healthcare · Educational www.ciu.edu | (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024 | [email protected] · Public Safety · Disaster Relief

Earn your MasterEarn your of Arts Master or Masterof Arts ofor Divinity Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy. Ifin Chaplaincy. If you’re serious you’re about serious chaplaincy, about chaplaincy, choose Columbiachoose International Columbia International University. University. To learn more,To learn visit www.ciu.edumore, visit www.ciu.edu or call or call Dr. MichaelDr. Langston Michael at Langston (800) 777-2227, at (800) ext. 777-2227, 5313. ext. 5313.

“CIU’s chaplaincy“CIU’s program chaplaincy is the program is the most in-depth andmost comprehensive in-depth and comprehensive I’ve seen. I endorseI’ve it seen. 100%.” I endorse it 100%.” Chaplain (MG) DougChaplain Carver, (MG) USA, DougRet. Carver, USA, Ret. Columbia InternationalColumbia International University’s University’s Former U.S. Army ChiefFormer of U.S.Chaplains Army Chief of Chaplains ChaplaincyChaplaincy program specializes program specializes in the eight in the eight functionalfunctional areas of professional areas of professional chaplaincy chaplaincy · Military· Military· Institutional· Institutional · Corporate· Corporate· Sports · Sports Let’s ImpactLet’s the Impact World the Together. World Together. · Healthcare· Healthcare· Educational· Educational www.ciu.edu | (800)www.ciu.edu 777-2227, | (800)ext. 5024 777-2227, | [email protected] ext. 5024 | [email protected] · Public Safety· Public Safety· Disaster · ReliefDisaster Relief

12 The Military Chaplain Anniversary Celebration

The 40th anniversary of women Each military service has a differ- Air Force: in military chaplaincy will be com- ent Contact Person: Chaplain (Maj) memorated in 2013. A joint com- Robin J. Stephenson-Bratcher; mittee, representing the Army, Navy Navy: [email protected]; and Air Force, is developing an ex- CDR Judy Malana; (202) 767-5900, or hibit that will be displayed through- [email protected]; Chaplain (Col) Cherri Wheeler; out the year at the Women In Mili- (703) 614-4438 [email protected] tary Service for America Memorial in Arlington, VA. The theme of the Army: The joint committee is searching exhibit is “Celebrating 40 Years of Chaplain (COL) Barbara K. Sherer; for photos and display items. While Women Chaplains: A Courageous [email protected]; the deadline is very soon, please in- Journey of Faith and Service.” The (803) 751-8900 quire from the respective service opening ceremony for the exhibit contact person if there is time for a will be held on March 4, 2013. submission and to where it may be sent. The MCA is planning a spe- cial issue of The Military Chaplain highlighting the 40th anniversary. We are requesting personal stories, reflections, and photos. We are looking for high resolution photos of women chaplains that show the multifaceted nature of the chaplain- cy: e.g., conducting services, par- ticipating in memorials, and work- ing on command religious program projects. Submissions to the MCA may be made by email at: chaplains@mca- usa.org, or, hard copies and photo- graphs sent to:

Military Chaplains Association ATTN: Women Chaplain Anniversary Post Office Box 7056 Arlington, VA 22207-7056

Submissions to the MCA become its property and will not be returned. Please help MCA in commemo- rating this significant anniversary!

The Military Chaplain 13 Of Note: There’s an App for That

Created by VA’s National Center for PTSD and their collaborators, a free PTSD mobile app is available for download on the Center’s website: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/ptsdcoach.asp The PTSD Coach app can help a person learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma. Features include:

§ Reliable information on PTSD and treatments that work.

§ Tools for screening and tracking your symptoms.

§ Convenient, easy-to-use skills to help you handle stress symptoms.

§ Direct links to support and help.

§ Always with you when you need it.

And, wait, there’s more Apps are on deck this Fall!

Prayer Collection

“Endowed by their Creator: A Collection of Historic American Military Prayers 1774-Present” From the publisher: “This historic collection of American military prayer spans 1774 to the present and contains 280 uniquely American prayers. The collection serves a dual purpose: First, it demonstrates the necessity of prayer to America’s military mission. Sec- ondly, at a time when prayer is being disregarded, opposed by some political and military leaders, and treated more like ceremonial deism or mere formality in military and non- military circumstances, this collection allows anyone of any station or denomination, the opportunity to draw from its pages a prayer associated with an historic occasion or prayed by an historic figure. “As the voices of presidents and military heroes recorded in this book have continuously maintained, America and her fighting forces must not lose touch with our nation’s understanding of the ‘Creator’ named in the Decla- ration of Independence, and His broad and great endowment of Divine Providence for our ‘One Nation Under God.’ “ The book sells for $12.95 and bulk rates are available from: http://firstprinciplespress.org/newsite/fpp- store.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

Chaplain (Colonel) John J. Morris, Joint Force Headquarters Chaplain, Min- nesota National Guard, appeared before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health, on February 27, 2012. Chaplain Morris is the co- founder of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon initiative. In his statement before the subcommittee, Chaplain Morris praised the suc- cessful collaboration of the Minnesota National Guard with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The following initiatives are of particular interest:

14 The Military Chaplain Continued from previous page • Expedited enrollment of demobilizing soldiers, at their demobilization site, by MN VA personnel, insuring veterans are enrolled in the VA in the catchment area they live in and provided initial appointments. • Collaborative training of local clergy utilizing VA Chaplains and Vet Center staff. • Collaborative training of Minnesota Army National Guard Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates in Clini- cal Pastoral Education utilizing the Supervisory Chaplain of the St. Cloud, MN VA. They have trained 15 chaplains and chaplain candidates, to date. • Vet Center Staff and VA OIF/OEF outreach personnel present at every Minnesota National Guard reinte- gration event, pre and post deployment. • Minneapolis VA Suicide Prevention Specialists regularly provide training to the Minnesota National Guard and participate in clergy outreach training. • The Recruiting Command of the Minnesota Army National Guard provides soldiers trained by the Min- neapolis VA to visit wounded warriors in the Minneapolis VA Polytrauma unit. The underlining operating principle of the Minnesota National Guard reintegration initiative, (also known as, “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon”) is that it takes the entire community to help a warrior return from war, reunite with his/her family and resume a productive life as a civilian. For more information, please go to: www.beyondtheyellowribbon.org.

MCA is a full member of the Veterans Day National Committee

The committee meets three times a year in Washington, DC, to plan Veterans Day activities, including selecting a national Veterans Day poster, recognizing regional observances that serve as model events to honor America’s veterans, and hosting the national ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The committee also has an interest in ensuring that younger generations understand the true meaning of Veterans Day, and the sacrifices veterans have made to secure and defend the freedoms of the United States of America. To this end, the committee pro- duces a teacher resource guide and distributes it to schools nationwide. The guide includes suggested activities for Veterans Day programs and in- formation for students of all ages.

Veterans Day National Committee Honorary Chairman Honorable Barack Obama President of the United States

Chairman Honorable Eric K. Shinseki Secretary of Veterans Affairs

The Military Chaplain 15 Continued from previous page Members • Paralyzed Veterans of America • Pearl Harbor Survivors Association • American Ex-Prisoners of War • Polish Legion of American Veterans • American G.I. Forum • The Retired Enlisted Association • The American Legion • Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States • AMVETS • Vietnam Veterans of America • The Army & Navy Union, USA • Blinded Veterans Association Associate Members • Catholic War Veterans of the U.S.A. • Congressional Society • Air Force Association • Disabled American Veterans • Air Force Sergeants Association • Fleet Reserve Association • American Gold Star Mothers • Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A • The American Red Cross • Korean War Veterans Association • Blue Star Mothers of America • Legion of Valor • Bowlers to Veterans Link • Marine Corps League • Gold Star Wives of America • Military Chaplains Association of the USA • Help Hospitalized Veterans • Military Officers Association of America • Japanese American Veterans Association • Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA • National Association for Uniformed Services • The Military Order of the World Wars • National Association of State Veterans Homes • Non Commissioned Officers Association

16 The Military Chaplain Continued from previous page • Navy Seabee Veterans of America • State Directors of Veterans Affairs • United Spanish War Veterans (Emeritus status) • Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge • Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. & The Veterans Coalition • Veterans of World War I of the USA (Emeritus status) • Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association (Emeritus status) • Wounded Warrior Project MCA was the national host of the 2008 Veterans Day observance at Ar- lington National Cemetery with a reception at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Ar- lington, Virginia. To locally promote Veterans Day in your faith community, resources, including the 2012 poster, are available at: http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/

MCA relies on YOU!

MCA relies on the charitable contributions of chaplains and many others interested in chaplaincy in order to sustain our programs. We have no other means of financial support except for the generous contributions of those who invest in our professional association’s ministry goals and programs. We receive donations by several different means: In- dividual donations – Fund do- nations – Designated offerings – Block grants – Estate planning – Local United Way campaigns – The Combined Federal Campaign. MCA is victim, like you, of the current financial circumstances. Even though we have a bare-bones operation and budget, we need your monetary support to contin- ue. So, please generously remember MCA in your planned giving. The Military Chaplains Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. And, your gifts are promptly receipted for tax purposes. Thank you for your generous support! The Military Chaplain 17 THE MILITARY CHAPLAIN

ISSN-0026-3958 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Volume Eighty-Five DURING Number Three Fall 2010

National President “THE DREADED SUMMER DOLDRUMS” Chaplain Edward T. Brogan Executive Director Donors from 1 June through 15 Au- Paul W. Steel Chaplain Robert G. Certain gust 2012 In Honor of RADM Barry C. Associate Executive Director Black, CHC, USN Ret. Chaplain George E. Dobes Harold T. Elmore Raymond A. Acker National Office In Memory of Chaplain Samuel Gregory G. Caiazzo P. O. Box 7056 Azo F. Wagner, WWII, Emerson Robert G. Certain Arlington,VA 22207-7056 Foundation Member Phone: 703-533-5890 Franklin D. Daniels [email protected] or Mrs. Mary E. Johnson George E. Dobes www.mca-usa.org In Memory of Chaplain David Max E. Gamble, Jr. H. Johnson, Jr. Layout: Jack Figel Gregory Harrison Eastern Christian Publications Mrs. Geraldine E. Martin www.ecpubs.com Earl C. Kettler In Memory of Chaplain Chris- Printing: www.balmar.com Jegime N. Moral tian H. Martin (Scholarship THE MILITARY CHAPLAIN ISSN- Fund) Thomas R. Pocock 00260-3958 is published quarterly by The Gary R. Pollitt Military Chaplains Association, 5541 Lee Walter K. Sauer Sean Ricard Highway, Arlington, VA 22207-1613. Ar- In Honor of Gary R. Pollitt who ticles in this publication express author point served MCA admirably James E. Shaw of view only and not necessarily the Associa- tion, the Military Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the . Advertisements do not imply Association endorsement unless so indicated. This pub- QR Codes for Smartphone Users lication is mailed to current Association members. Annual Association membership dues are $50.00 with $25.00 allocated for publication and mailing of the magazine. Non-member annual subscription rates are Domestic $30.00 and Foreign $50.00. Pe- riodicals Postage Paid at Arlington, VA and MCA Facebook additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Page Please send address changes or Form 3579 to: EDITOR THE MILITARY CHAPLAIN PO Box 7056, Arlington VA 22207-7056 If this publication is addressed to a member of the U.S. Military Service whose address has been changed by orders, it is to be forwarded except to overseas APO’s without MCA Web payment of additional postage. Copyright 2012 by The Military Chaplains Association Homepage of the USA. Copyright is not claimed for editorial material in the public domain. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

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Chartered by Congress The Voice of Chaplaincy Serving since 1925 www.mca-usa.org

20 The Military Chaplain