The United States Army Chaplain Corps celebrated 241 years of service to the nation's Soldiers and families during ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and a fellowship luncheon at Memorial Chapel on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall July 29.
"Our history is an anchor that grounds our identity as Army chaplains," said Chap. (Maj. Gen.) Paul K. Hurley, Army chief of chaplains. "We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Chaplains and chaplain assistants serving today have the responsibility to pass this legacy on to the next generation."
Thousands of men and women have served as Army chaplains since the chaplaincy was recognized as a military position by Congress on July 29, 1775. Hurley said the ceremony was a way to honor and remember "those who have gone before us and really shown us the way."
The day began with a traditional wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery. From there, Hurley and dozens of his fellow chaplains, chaplain assistants and their family members moved to Chaplains Hill in Section 2 of the cemetery, where chaplains from four wars are buried. They rest in the shadow of four monuments that are dedicated to the memories of chaplains who have served in the nation's armed forces.
Guest speaker retired Chap. (Col.) Parker Thompson detailed the sacrifice of several chaplains who rest on Chaplains Hill while he paid tribute to the service of today's chaplains.
"You don't know how much this day means to me," he concluded in a voice that was full of emotion.
Thompson earned his degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lexington, Ky., and served in both Korea and Vietnam and was wounded five times during combat. He was awarded both the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart and was knighted by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. He retired from active duty in 1980.
"I don't have the words to express our appreciation not only for your presence here," Hurley told Thompson. "You bring with you a legacy of our Chaplain Corps. We strive to serve the way you served."
"The Chaplain Corps is also adjusting our strategies and policies to ensure we meet the demands of a changing and complex world," he added. "This process helps the Chaplain Corps to deal with the unforeseen challenges of the future."
Hurley stressed that even though the strategies of the Chaplain Corps may change over time, its fundamental mission remains the same: Chaplains and chaplain assistants take care of Soldiers, their families and civilians by providing them with religious support.
"The enduring message of the Army Chaplain Corps is we will continue to nurture the living, care for the wounded and honor the fallen," he said.
"As we celebrate the 241st anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps, we honor those who have gone before us, chaplains and chaplains assistants who are examples of selfless service, commitment to the nation and who are dedicated to taking care of Soldiers, families and civilians," he said. "This is the historical legacy of the Army Chaplain Corps."
Social Sharing