FORT BLISS, Texas - Commanders change command, sergeant majors change responsibilities and chaplains pass the stole.
The 1st Armored Division sent off Lt. Col. Karen L. Meeker, outgoing 1st Armored Division chaplain and welcomed Lt. Col. Thomas S. Helms III as the new 1st AD chaplain during the Division's Passing of the Stole ceremony here, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015.
Helms assumed the spiritual leadership and pastoral care for the entire division when Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, 1st AD and Fort Bliss commanding general, removed the division stole from Meeker and placed it on Helms shoulders. The stole is a black piece of cloth about four inches wide and 80 inches long with the Old Ironsides patch sewn on it and a gold cross in the bottom worn like a scarf.
In 1971, Congress authorized the hiring of Army chaplains. Chaplains have served in all branches of the U.S. military since their formation in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Currently, there are now about 2,900 chaplains serving on active duty to include Meeker and Helms.
"Every memory will stay with me, from those I worked for and worked with," said Meeker. "Those memories will continue to be with me and make me a better person, a better chaplain and a better officer."
As Helms takes over Meeker's position as the Division's "Iron Shepherd," Meeker asked Helms to continue to love and care for the Soldiers and Families of the division. She has complete confidence Helms will fulfill that request.
"I know the division is in good hands with Chaplain Helms as the Iron Shepherd," said Meeker. "He is a good man, a good husband and a good father with a great family."
Helms, now wearing the division stole, knows his mission and has plans to embrace the spiritual needs of everyone in the 1AD family.
"My goal is to make sure that every Soldier has the opportunity to worship," said Helms. "Wherever he or she is in the world, everybody will have an opportunity."
He also emphasized that if Soldiers are in combat and they need to worship, he will ensure that they have the opportunity to worship. Helms guaranteed that a chaplain will be available for every Soldier in need.
Taking over the division chaplain responsibilities, Helms will open his doors with the 1st Amendment nailed to it.
"I will make sure that I will be able to touch them [spiritually], that's one of the promises in the constitution that everyone has the freedom to worship," said Helms.
Even though, the division says its farewell to Meeker, she believes the Old Ironsides families are blessed with another dedicated "Iron Shepherd" in Chaplain Helms.
For more information on Fort Bliss ministries and religious services please visit https://www.bliss.army.mil/ReligiousSupport/chapels.html.
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