Army Chaplain Changing of the Stole

The head of the South Carolina Army National Guard Chaplain corps transferred from Chaplain (Col) Steven Shugart to Chaplain (Col) Lawrence Dennis is a traditional “changing of the stole” ceremony:

The stole signifies the faithful execution of the spiritual mission of the Chaplain Corps…

Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., the adjutant general for South Carolina…called Shugart a “warrior’s chaplain.”

Both the outgoing and incoming lead State Chaplains had multiple combat deployments with the SC troops.  Chaplains go where the troops go, bringing faith even to the frontlines.

Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr. … places the stole on the incoming state chaplain, Col. Lawrence Dennis, July 13, 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Erica Knight/Released)

Upper photo:  The South Carolina Army National Guard Chaplain Corps celebrated a change of leadership at the adjutant general’s office in Columbia, S.C., July 13, 2013. The passing of the stole from the outgoing state chaplain to the new state chaplain is like passing the unit flag during a change of command. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Erica Knight/Released)

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