CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Leading by example and finding strength to lead through prayer were the overriding messages of a recent Command Prayer Breakfast held here for KFOR Soldiers, part of Multi-National Task Force-East (MNTF-E).
More than 40 Soldiers, representing every unit and command in the task force, attended the early morning gathering, which was hosted by Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, Bismarck, N.D., commander of MNTF-E, at Camp Bondsteel's North Dining Facility Jan. 13.
MNTF-E has about 2,200 NATO Soldiers from Greece, Poland, Ukraine, Romania and Armenia. The U.S. has about 1,400 Soldiers, mostly from the Army National Guard and Reserve, deployed in southeast Kosovo.
MNTF-E Task Force Chap. (Maj.) Maurice Millican, Bismarck, N.D., who helped host the event, was pleased by the large number of Soldiers who turned out for the breakfast.
"What is unique about the Guard and Reserve is that we don't deploy quite as often, but, when we do, it gives us the opportunity to host events such as a Prayer Breakfast," Millican said. "I was overjoyed by the great participation from the entire task force."
Millican said the focus of the event, obviously, was, on prayer and lifting the spiritual morale of the task force, but that's not all that took place. Some other highlights included special music by members of the Camp Bondsteel Choir and a German song, "Dank sei Dir, Herr (Thanks be to Thee, Lord ...)," sung by fellow Chap. (Capt.) Tim Meier, Los Altos, Calif., chaplain of the 1-144th Maneuver Task Force.
Millican added a special message of character and personal courage.
Dohrmann thanked the group for attending and closed by highlighting the quality leadership that exists in MNTF-E and how that only helps the situation in Kosovo improve. That message fit with the theme of the Prayer Breakfast: "Leadership for a Brighter Future."
"Events such as Prayer Breakfasts allow us to reflect on our roles as leaders and how we shine as leaders not only on our subordinates but also on the people we interact with in Kosovo," Dohrmann said. "In the Army, we live by the Army Values, which shape our character and how we conduct ourselves. These are good examples to set every day we are here, setting the stage for a brighter future for Kosovo."
Millican said more Prayer Breakfasts are planned for MNTF-E at Camp Bondsteel, including the next one, slated for March, when Chap. (Col.) Terry Larkin, National Guard Bureau chaplain, is expected to attend.
Millican chose Proverbs 3.5-6 as the special message he wanted conveyed at the Prayer Breakfast. It reads, in part, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart ... and he will direct your paths."
He said it sums up the essence of the Prayer Breakfast.
"We pray because we need God's help," Millican said. "We cannot do it all on our own. We pray to ask God for help so we can lead with inner-peace and inner-strength and so we can stay Army Strong."
Multi-National Task Force - East is a U.S. led task force commanded by Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann. This task force is comprised of nearly 2,200 Soldiers, including Task Force Hellas and Task Force POL/UKR (Polish/Ukraine). The charter mission of MNTF-E is maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment and providing Freedom of Movement for the people in Kosovo.
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