FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Sept. 26, 2025) -- Soldiers, civilians and family members celebrated 250 years of faith, fellowship and service during the Army Chaplain Corps Anniversary event Sept. 25 at the Main Post Chapel.
Chaplain (Col.) James Lester, 10th Mountain Division (LI) command chaplain, said when Gen. George Washington was determining what his troops needed to succeed – what would improve morale and discipline – during America’s fight for independence, he asked the Continental Congress to establish the Chaplain Corps.
“And since then, we haven’t lost focus on our main mission, which is people,” Lester said. “One of the things we do in the Chaplain Corps is create communities. Today, we are recognizing our chapel services, our programs and the people who are part of those programs that create community.”
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Patrick Lowthian, Fort Drum Garrison chaplain, recalled a meeting he had 22 years ago with someone to talk about the chaplaincy.
“He said being a chaplain is the best job in the U.S. Army,” Lowthian said. “And to this day, I think he was totally right. I have purpose. I feel fulfilled. We do significant things every day. So it is important that we celebrate our heritage and celebrate the things we do every day.”
Lowthian said that wherever Soldiers go, there will always be a chaplain serving alongside them.
“We’re there at the best of times, but we’re also there in the worst of times,” he said. “And when people are in the midst of the worst of circumstances, we are there to provide care and comfort. You just be where the Soldiers are, and it has been that way from the beginning.”
The Keys to Connection program is one of the ways chaplains are reaching Soldiers upon their arrival at Fort Drum. The program launched in 2022 as an opportunity for Soldiers to connect with one another and to inform them of support services and resources available on post.
“When things get tough, and they are away from their family, they will still have friends and they will have this support network,” Lowthian said. “Keys to Connection brings all these Soldier enablers – the Ready and Resilient (R2) team is involved, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers in involved, and military and family life counselors (MFLCs) – all working together to make this happen.”
Chaplain (Maj.) Jason Hill, family life chaplain, said that Keys to Connection ties directly into the spiritual domain of the Soldier readiness program, H2F (Health and Holistic Fitness).
“When talking with Soldiers, we address what gives your life meaning and purpose,” he said. “And then, how do you work with other people, and develop a way of life that strengthens those connections on a regular basis.”
The Chaplain Corps Anniversary celebration included a cake-cutting and volunteer recognition ceremony, a potluck meal, trivia and a children’s movie screening. Carol Burke, Fort Drum Religious Support Office administrative officer, received the Order of Saint Joseph in recognition of her decades of service and contributions to the Chaplain Corps and the community.
“When I arrived here, she was the continuity and glue that kept us going, and she has a stellar reputation across the Army because she has served so faithfully,” Lester said.
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