Tag Archives: Chaplain

Michael Weinstein Gets More Revisionist Credit

Michael Weinstein, generally bereft of actual victories in his fight against religious freedom in the military, is often forced to take his fight to the media.  He did so again recently in The Nation, a “progressive” independent publication.

The article is essentially a fluffed up summary of Weinstein’s crusade.  (Given the fact Weinstein apparently threatens to sue newspapers that criticize him, perhaps the light-touch is understandable.)  It seems to take Weinstein’s word as gospel, and doesn’t appear to once take a critical look at his accusations.

It even starts to compare Weinstein to Jesus.

Still, the article has some interesting highlights.  After fulfilling Weinstein’s psychological need to tell everyone Read more

Chaplain Hensley Receives Order of Titus

Chaplain (LtCol) Gary Hensley received the Order of Titus from US Army Chief of Chaplains MajGen Douglas Carver in early January.  As noted in the article,

A non-denominational award, the Order of Titus is unique among U.S. Army honors in that it recognizes observer-trainers rather than key leaders and staff. The award highlights “the great importance of realistic, doctrinally-guided combat ministry training in ensuring the delivery of prevailing religious support to the American Soldier.”

While he has previously been deployed to combat zones, Chaplain Hensley is currently serving as not only Chaplain to the Fort Leavenworth community, but also as an “observer-trainer” in the unit’s mission.

Via the Army Chaplaincy blog.

Group Seeks to add Monument to Arlington’s Chaplains Hill

Three monuments stand on Arlington National Cemetery’s Chaplains Hill (text).

The oldest, standing in the center and installed in 1926, memorializes by name the 23 Chaplains who lost their lives in “the World War.”

To its left, the second monument, installed in 1989, memorializes by name the Catholic Chaplains who lost their lives in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

The final monument, raised in 1981, memorializes by name the 134 Protestant Chaplains who lost their lives in World Wars I and II.

The absence of a monument to the 13 Jewish Chaplains Read more

Islamic Chaplain Serves DoD’s Largest Muslim Community

The Air Force Times profiles Chaplain (Capt) Sharior Rahman, who is one of two Islamic Chaplains in the US Air Force.  (The other is Chaplain (Capt) Walid Habash; it is unclear what became of Chaplain (Capt) Abdulah Hamza Al-Mubarak, who was the Air Force’s first Islamic Chaplain and served at the Air Force Academy until a few years ago.)

Rahman serves at Lackland AFB — gateway for all enlisted recruits — and Read more

Soldier Sees Troops Support Each Other, Regardless of Faith

In a somewhat long but interesting article first published in the Jewish Exponent and republished by the Army, 1LT Avi Behar, a 23-year-old Army Lieutenant, recalls a day in Afghanistan in which he had an epiphany about religion and relationships both in the US military and the Afghan Army.

Earlier in the day, with the help of an Afghan General, his unit helped a local get his truck, overloaded with his produce, unstuck from the side of the road.  Later, he came back to base to celebrate Chanukah:

Upon returning that night…our battalion chaplain put together a Chanukah service. We had discussed the idea a few days prior, but I wasn’t expecting what I was about to experience.  Read more

USAFA Prayer Luncheon on “Overcoming Adversity”

After apparently attending the USAFA National Prayer Luncheon, the local Colorado Springs Gazette wonders aloud if Michael Weinstein’s lawsuit was “much ado about nothing.”

Buddha and Allah were mentioned almost as often as Jesus at an Air Force Academy prayer luncheon Thursday that drew a lawsuit over fears of Christian evangelism.

The speaker at the center of the controversy, retired Marine Lt. Clebe McClary, didn’t shy from embracing faith, but talked more about the power of a well-chosen spouse and overcoming adversity with teamwork than Christianity.

The speech was preceeded with Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist prayers. A rabbi gave a closing prayer.

McClary reportedly talked about value and perseverance, how his faith Read more

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