The United Methodist Reporter has named “the military Chaplain” as the United Methodist of the Year:

For being the symbol of the courageous and steady support offered to members of the U.S. Armed Forces—in a year that saw a deadly assault at an Army base—the military chaplain is our 2009 United Methodist of the Year.

US military Chaplains serve a sacrificial and necessary role in preserving the religious freedom of military men and women called to duty by their nation.

Via Mitch Lewis.