With displays showing how they served the Army, through World War II and the Korean War, the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps celebrated their 238th anniversary July 26.
The celebratory service was held in the World War II Museum Chapel and concluded with a catered lunch in the World War II Museum Mess Hall.
Highlighting the contributions of past chaplains who have won the Medal of Honor, Chaplain (Col.) Gary Brown, installation chaplain, spoke of the selflessness of his fellow chaplains both past and present.
"It's not for everybody, we do it for real. We do it through our friendship, through our prayers, through our counseling, through caring, because that's our job," Brown said. "Chaplains take care of people -- they take care of you, they take care of your souls, and they take care of the Army."
"We're called to take care of you, and that's our job. It doesn't make a difference what rank you are or what rank you aren't, you're treated the same." Brown added.
With a representation of 130 different religious organizations, there are more than 2,900 chaplains serving in the U.S. Army at this time.
"From day one in the U.S. Army, there has been an Army chaplaincy. There hasn't been a war that's been fought where chaplains have not been there," Brown said.
Also included in the displays were photographs of chaplains holding religious services in various locations throughout the world, such as in the desert out of the back of a truck using only cots as pews. Many photos showed that chaplains make do with what they have and lead during extreme circumstances.
To date there have been seven chaplains who have earned the Medal of Honor, with chaplain (Capt.) Emil Kapaun being awarded the medal posthumously April 11, 2013.
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