US Senator on DADT and the Silent Opposition

The Baptist Press notes a concern that the controversy over the repeal of the policy commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” may be completely avoided until after the November elections, in order to avoid potential backlash on members of Congress from conservative districts.

In a move that would potentially stoke that controversy, one Senator is preparing to offer amendments to the Defense Authorization Act that will address not only the DADT provision, but also that on abortion:

Sen. James Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he’s prepared to offer amendments striking the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and pro-abortion language from the bill.

The Senator also supported the growing current of comments indicating members of the military oppose the change but feel unable to express that concern (while those who support it are doing that very thing):

Inhofe said he recently returned from a trip to Iraq in which military personnel expressed to him concern that their voice isn’t being heard. He said personnel told him, “We want to be heard and now we find out that … they’ve already decided how it’s gonna turn out.”

Stanley McChrystal to Retire, Scott McChrystal Preaches On

Never one to miss a controversy, the media is expressing shock that “the Army” would let only three hand-picked journalists attend General Stanley McChrystal’s retirement, scheduled this Friday.  They fail to fully understand that a military retirement is not a government ceremony, and the retiree can do as much or as little as he chooses, and invite whomever he pleases.

A military article also notes the continuing ministry of his brother, Chaplain (Colonel) Scott McChrystal, US Army (retired).  He recently spoke at a prayer breakfast at Read more

Christians Fear Discrimination over Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

As noted at Fox News, Christians in Memphis reportedly fear they will be the victims of discrimination if an anti-discrimination ordinance is passed.  A local church which made news when it banned a softball team with a homosexual coach is apparently concerned it would be cut off from interaction with government entities, or be subject to sanction, should it continue to support its religious beliefs that oppose homosexual conduct.

Most interesting, however, is the response by the homosexual advocacy group that sponsored the bill to the church’s concern:

[Jonathan] Cole [of the Tennessee Equality Project] stressed that his group is willing to make some concessions and perhaps offer churches an exemption from the proposed law.

“We’re willing to start somewhere by giving them an exemption,” he said. “At least for the time being.”

“For the time being?”

Unique Contract Chaplain Serves Military Community

Norbertine Father Martin Benzoni is a unique Chaplain serving the US military: he isn’t in the military.  He currently serves in El Segundo as the

first ever part-time civilian Catholic chaplain or contractor assigned there. The decision to hire contractors was made at the Pentagon level in order to cover the unique needs in the military…due to a priest shortage the Pentagon decided to sign contracts with the chaplains at all military facilities.

As noted, Benzoni is not the only contract Chaplain.  Interestingly, the contract is between the priest’s religious order and the Air Force.  For those not familiar with military contracting, this means that Benzoni is not even a federal employee.  He could be moved by his Abbot and replaced with another priest; the contract merely requires the order to fulfill the requirement of having a priest there.  In addition, according to the news article he cannot be deployed (though other contractors can be).

Focus on the Military Marriage

Focus on the Family has a series of articles on “The Chain of Command in Marriage,” a brief look at the challenges to marriage in the military.  Interestingly, it quotes Judy McChrystal, wife of former Chaplain (Col) Scott McChrystal, who is brother to General Stanley McChrystal.

The article is a fairly comprehensive overview of the challenges to maintaining (and rebuilding) a healthy marriage within the military environment.  The author is Jocelyn Green, author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives, one of many marriage and military resources available from Officers’ Christian Fellowship.

Chaplain Assistant First Killed in Battle in 40 years

Sergeant Christopher Todd Stout, US Army, was killed in action in Afghanistan on 13 July 2010.  He was the first Army Chaplain Assistant killed in action since 1970.  The US Army Chief of Chaplains distributed this message:

Dear Family and Friends of the US Army Chaplaincy,

It is with my deepest sympathy and my utmost respect that I must announce that on July 13, 2010 Sergeant Christopher Todd Stout, while serving as the Chaplain Assistant for the 1-508 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, was Killed in Action in Afghanistan.

This is our first Chaplain Assistant Killed in Action since 1970 during the Viet Nam War. Sergeant Stout was a military professional of the highest caliber and a devout man of God whose love for Soldiers was only surpassed by his love for his Great God and Savior Jesus Christ.  Read more

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