FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Fort Drum community members attended a dedication ceremony July 31 at the Main Post Chapel where more than 12,000 square feet of new space that doubled the size of its sanctuary and added a religious education wing was unveiled after two years of renovations and new construction.

"I feel like we're the children of Israel, entering into the Promised Land after having been in bondage for 400 years," said Chaplain (Col.) Kelly Moore, Fort Drum garrison chaplain, to audience laughter. "And just as they inherited the vineyard they did not plant, I am inheriting a chapel I really had very little to do with."

The $7.7 million project also included a new multipurpose room, sacristy, parking lot and the relocation of the bell tower.

The chapel closed for construction in July 2012. The expansion was aimed at not only increasing the capacity for religious support services but also easing the logistical challenges of memorial services and Mountain Remembrance ceremonies that are conducted for fallen warriors and their Families.

Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, Fort Drum garrison commander, said the chapel is "ground zero" for religious support in military communities, a place that serves as a "source of hope, a source of healing and a source of resiliency."

After 13 years of persistent conflict, the burden of the nation's wars has "pushed, and stretched, and torn at our most precious resource -- our people," Rosenberg said.

"This chapel represents our commitment to those Soldiers, those Family Members and those Civilians -- our commitment to support every dimension of life, to include the spiritual," he stressed.

In addition to Scripture readings and musical performances, the dedication ceremony included a special visit from Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) Charles "Ray" Bailey, U.S. Army deputy chief of chaplains.

"This is not about church," the general said. "This is about hope. This is not about a building. This is about an icon, a symbol of forgiveness. It's about a place where people can come, but (maybe) not even come inside."

During his address, Bailey expanded on the symbolism of religious buildings, drawing attention away from what future activities may take place inside the facility to something he believed was far more important.

The purpose of the chapel, he declared, is much "bigger" than just keeping the rain and snow off of people.

"I want you to think about this building and of what it really is," he said. "I want you to think about where it is located in proximity to everything that goes on in the life of this community around you.

"The majority of the population will never see inside this building."

Bailey went on to say that people will drive by the new place, maybe after a nasty fight with their spouse, struggling for answers to the hurts in their life. He suggested that seeing the chapel, they might consider what it "represents," which could be "the very worship moment in their life."

"They start thinking and pondering about what this place is," he said. "They see hope. They see sanctuary -- not a sanctuary, but sanctuary. They see the possible. They can go back home. They feel the need all of a sudden to tell their spouse they are sorry.

"What you've built here is not a worship center; it's a center of hope," he continued. "The chapel is a symbol that everything is possible. It's a symbol that no matter what we've done or what we've said, there is forgiveness for us.

"It (represents) that anyone is welcome," he added. "All answers can be found. No problem is too large. And love is found here."

The dedication also included a sneak peek of a statue that will be presented to the community at a future date. The statute is a bronze figurative sculpture of Joan of Arc caring for an enemy soldier in his dying moments. The scene is based on an eyewitness account dating from the 15th century. As the leader of the army, Joan of Arc removes her helmet and lays down her weapon to care for someone who will probably never appreciate her concern.

"It is a reminder that there is much more than a physical cost to war," Rosenberg said. "There is also an emotional, psychological and spiritual cost. These costs are very personal. They bring us face to face with our values, those of moral courage and compassion, of respect and loyalty, duty and honor."

A reception and cake-cutting ceremony followed the dedication event to mark the 239th anniversary of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps.