APG Unit Ministry Teams celebrate Chaplain Corps anniversary in Arlington

By RACHEL PONDER, APG NewsAugust 7, 2009

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Far left, a tomb guard waits to lay a wreath honoring fallen chaplains and chaplain's assistants during a responsive reading at the Commemoration Ceremony on Chaplains Hill, Arlington National Cemetery July 24 celebrating the 234th Anniversary of the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Aberdeen Proving Ground Unit Ministry Teams and their Families celebrated the 234th Chaplain Corps Anniversary and the Centennial Anniversary of the Chaplain Assistant by attending a commemoration ceremony at Chaplains Hill, Arlington National Cemetery July 24.

A group of 25 chaplains and their Families from APG joined other Army chaplains from nearby military installations to celebrate the anniversary.

This is the first time that APG chaplains attended the annual event as a group.

This event celebrates the history of service of the Chaplain Corps. Since the Chaplain Corps was established 234 years ago, approximately 25,000 Army chaplains have served more than 25 million Soldiers and Family Members, living up to the motto on its branch insignia, "Pro Deo et Patria," from the Latin, "For God and Country."

U.S. military chaplains have served honorably in every war and major combat engagement in which the United States has participated.

The Chaplain Corps Anniversary also celebrates the official birthday of the Corps, July 29, 1775, when the Continental Congress recognized chaplains with an updated pay scale for officers and enlisted Soldiers.

The celebration at Arlington National Cemetery began with a concert of sacred hymnody at the memorial amphitheater by the United States Army Band followed by the U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains and Regimental Sergeant Major laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

The U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains then led a procession from the Tomb of the Unknowns to the Chaplains Hill for a commemoration ceremony. The commemoration ceremony was a time of spiritual reflection, and a time to honor the fallen that are laid to reset on Chaplains Hill.

During the ceremony Chaplain (Col.) LaMar Griffin, Chief of staff, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, prayed for chaplains and their Families and for the protection of those who are in harms way.

"Help us always to value the qualities of faith, character and moral integrity that provide the ultimate source of our strength," Griffin said. "God continue to guide us as you have throughout our history. May the banners of our Army be under your constant protection now and forever more."

Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Douglas Carver, the U.S. Army chief of Chaplains, thanked the chaplains and the chaplains' assistants for the support that they give to Soldiers and their Families.

"Today we honor those that said, here am I Lord, send me," he said.

Carver said that the official authorization of the chaplaincy to the Continental Army was issued by George Washington in July 1775.

"He looked to chaplains to maintain the morals, the ethics and the morale of Soldiers, and more importantly he wanted to make sure that Soldiers had the opportunity to exercise their freedom of worship," Carver said. "Our corps has faithfully fulfilled this responsibility for the last two hundred thirty-four years."

Carver said that throughout the years chaplains have received prestigious awards for their service to the military.

He recognized Pfc. George Wiedensall, a retired chaplain's assistant and special guest that day, who received the Combat Infantryman's Badge for his service during the Korean War.

"What courage he exhibited along with his fellow Soldiers in the face of danger, and that same courageous ethos lies within the heart of chaplains and chaplain's assistants," Carver said.

Carver said that chaplains and chaplain's assistants from World War I through Vietnam are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Our chaplains and chaplain's assistants throughout these two hundred thirty four years have loved their fellow Soldiers and their fellow UMTs more than their own lives," he said. "Our chaplaincy has laid a firm foundation for our corps and you and I are recipients of their sacrifice. We walk in their footsteps. We honor their heritage today."

Carver said that the support of chaplains and chaplain assistants is needed especially today, as the United States has been at war on two fronts for eight years. Carver said that despite this stress, chaplains and chaplain's assistants are providing excellent support to Soldiers and their Families.

"I am hopeful today because God's grace shines upon us, and the caliber of the UMTs that fill up the ranks of the Chaplain Corps today," he said. "Nothing can hinder God's work."

The ceremony concluded with a memorial wreath ceremony and the playing of "Taps."

After the ceremony the chaplains and chaplain's assistants attended a fellowship picnic at Fort Myer, Va.

Chaplain (Col.) Ruben D. Colon Jr., APG garrison chaplain, remarked that attending the ceremony was a dignified way to celebrate the Chaplain Corps' Anniversary.

"This is the first time we traveled to celebrate our anniversary at Arlington," Colon said. "We usually celebrate it at the Main Post Chapel with a guest speaker who [talks about] our history, and past achievements, and end with a small devotional service, and barbecue picnic at the chapel. This year we decided to take our UMTs and chapel staff to this sacred place and be reminded of the sacred honor of our profession as we support our service men and women during this time of Global War on Terrorism. I couldn't have thought of a better way of defining our branch than with the prayers we offer today at this most sacred of all places in our nation."

Chaplain (Maj.) Young Kim, deputy garrison chaplain added that he enjoyed fellowshipping with old friends that he has served with in the past.

"This is like a Family reunion," he said.