FORT LIBERTY, N.C. (July 22, 2024) – With reverence and pride, Womack Army Medical Center celebrated the 249th anniversary of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, a vital cornerstone of support and solace for soldiers and their families for nearly two and a half centuries.
U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Stanislaw Jasiurkowski, Womack’s Chief of the Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care, spoke on the significance of this day. “Today we are celebrating the 249th anniversary of the Chaplain Corps in the U.S. Army. This is very significant to us. It has been almost a quarter of a millennium since its inception,” said Jasiurkowski.
The Chaplain Corps, known for offering spiritual, emotional, and religious support, has been a vital part of the military community. Jasiurkowski emphasized, “The chaplain corps assists soldiers by taking care of all their spiritual, religious, and emotional needs, as well as our families. So we are celebrating this selfless service and unwavering dedication to our armed forces.”
Jasiurkowski also shared a personal connection to the Corps. “I guess the chaplain corps is something that strikes a personal note with me as a pastor. My calling deepened after 9/11 when I was approached by an officer at the church who asked me if I ever thought about serving our country. He explained that we were going to war. I just thought this is how I pay back the country that adopted me and support its fighting forces. The chaplain corps is a professional branch that provides something unique to our fighting force. It provides spiritual support and builds the spirit of our army.”
The diverse makeup of the unit ministry team at Fort Liberty, Jasiurkowski noted, is a testament to the Corps' inclusivity and dedication. “We have wonderful diversity on our unit ministry team. We work as a team, despite our faith differences. Our goal is to take care of our soldiers, their families, our civilians, and all of our patients,” Jasiurkowski said.
In closing, Jasiurkowski reaffirmed the Corps' commitment. “I just want to reiterate our dedication, our commitment, and unwavering support to Womack, to patients, and to all our staff that we serve and support,” he concluded.
This celebration serves as a reminder of the Chaplain Corps' vital role in supporting the moral and spiritual well-being of the U.S. Army.
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