KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Overcoming adversity through spiritual resiliency was the theme of the National Day of Prayer Breakfast May 4 at Armstrong's Club, which also inspired peace, love and kindness in the community regardless of religious affiliation.
The annual event, sponsored by the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Religious Support Office, included anthems, scriptures, music, prayer and food for community members.
"It's easy to fall, and sometimes it's hard to get back up. We're here today to show you how you can get back up," said Chaplain (Col.) James Boulware, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz chaplain. "As a nation and as a people, it's still important for us to pause and to reflect on God and look to God. And that's what this day is about. It's about everyone from service members to family members to our civilians and local nationals coming together under the banner of prayer and looking to God for direction and guidance."
Event guest speaker Baumholder Military Community Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Everett J. Franklin was no stranger to personal struggle. He spoke to audience members about his and his family's pursuit to overcome life's obstacles and maintaining resiliency through grief. He used his own personal experiences to assist the lives of many in his path.
"We're called to believe, to live and overcome (in our) stories," Franklin said. "It's not always convenient, but it's our story. It's God's story."
Franklin also talked about overcoming issues by living through them, and that many people need to hear someone else's story to understand how they will be able to overcome their own difficulties.
"It's about resiliency, which seems to be a different definition for every individual, but it's all about finding the tools to overcome any kind of hardship," said USAG-RP Commander Col. Keith E. Igyarto. "Whether it is stress from work, home, school, etc., it's not so much that you are strong, but asking for assistance is a level of maturity … not weakness."
As the mission continues, the call of life continues as well -- even in the midst of adversity. By Soldiers employing the Army's Ready and Resilient (R2) capabilities and enhancing the physical, psychological, social, spiritual and family aspects of their lives, they become an integral part of a Strong Force for Strong Europe.
"Strength and maturity lie in how we deal with asking our community for assistance," the garrison commander said. "Here in Rheinland-Pfalz, we hope to foster that sense of community to make it okay to raise a hand or take a knee when needed. As we look to create a sense of community, religious services have a cornerstone. And it's important to gather together to create a sense of community inside the garrison."
The National Day of Prayer was created by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on 17 April 1952. President Ronald Reagan, signed the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer.
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