ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Members of the Quad Cities religious community joined Arsenal Island chaplains for the fifth annual prayer luncheon here May 12. An estimated 200 people from the installation and the local community gathered in Heritage Hall for the event.
Retired Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Douglas L. Carver, 22nd Army chief of chaplains, was the guest speaker at the luncheon. His remarks focused on the life and service of 1st Lt. Noah Harris who died while serving in Iraq in 2005. Carver challenged the audience to follow in Harris's path by doing what they can, to love those they serve, and to live a life of courage.
Providing testimony to the power of prayer, Carver shared his experience of praying for a suicidal Soldier who was returning from Iraq. The Soldier approached him years later, said Carver, and asked if he remembered him. The Soldier said that he was finishing his studies at seminary and wanted to be a chaplain so he could help others, like Carver helped him.
"I did what I could to help a Soldier in need," said Carver.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Robert Land, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, provided the invocation. Chaplain (Maj.) Terry Jarvis, Joint Munitions Command, provided introductions.
Quad Cities religious leaders who provided special prayers included: Dr. Lisa Killinger, president of the Quad Cities Muslim Community, offered prayers for the world; the Rev. Canon Ed den Blaauwen, Christ Anglican Church, Moline Illinois, offered prayers for the nation; the Rev. Stephen Palm, Evangelical Free Church, Geneseo, Illinois, offered prayers for the states of Illinois and Iowa; Rabbi Henry Karp, Temple Emmanuel, Davenport, Iowa, offered prayers for the Quad Cities; Rev. Father Christodoulos Margellos, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Rock Island, Illinois, offered prayers for the military; Dr. Flint Miller, First Baptist Church, Moline offered prayers for families.
Sgt. 1st Class Cornelius Goodwin, ASC, sang the national anthem. Instrumental music was provided by the Augustana University String Ensemble. Vocal music was provided by Jereen Phillips-Hardin, ASC.
Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, ASC commanding general and mission commander of Rock Island Arsenal, provided closing remarks and presented special appreciation items to Carver for his support to the event. Appreciation items were also provided to the religious leaders, the string ensemble, and the singers.
Additional photos from this event are located at: https://www.facebook.com/ArmySustainmentCommand#!
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