Tag Archives: inaugural

Virgin Islands National Guard Ministers to Troops

Members of the Unit Ministry Team of the Virgin Islands National Guard — yes, that’s a thing — were deployed to the National Capital Region to support the US troops who were supporting the inauguration:

“Our job was basically to ensure that soldiers’ morale and welfare remained upbeat,” said Capt. Dion Christopher, VING’s chaplain…

“We were based out of Ludlow Elementary school…where virtually all of Task Force Capital met, so we were able to bed down with the soldiers there, meet with them, and participate in a worship experience on the night prior to the inauguration,” [Sgt. Terry Phillip, religious affairs specialist] said.

The US military’s support for the inauguration is Read more

President Offers Prayer at Inauguration

While there has become a nearly traditional war of words (and lawsuits) over the presence of a prayer at US presidential inaugurations, it is interesting to be reminded that one President prayed on his own. From Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953:

I ask that you bow your heads. Almighty God, as we stand here at this moment my future associates in the Executive branch of Government join me in beseeching that Thou will Read more

President Ponders God’s Judgment for the Nation’s Immorality

Over the past few months a significant number of Christian leaders have cautioned that God may judge the United States of America for its flaunting of sin, including the open support for and advocacy of the homosexual lifestyle and the epidemic of abortion.

Scoffers have roundly criticized and dismissed such statements, with one going so far as to ask why God would destroy America for homosexuality but not slavery:

If God were going to destroy America why didn’t he do it when we enslaved, brutalized, and murdered thousands of his children shipped over from Africa?

To be accurate, most mainstream faith leaders have said God will judge America, not (necessarily) destroy it. Is such a pronouncement really that fringe?

Ask President Abraham Lincoln.

Though less so today, years ago, many Read more

Chaplains Support Troops in Presidential Inauguration

Many people were aware of some of the roles US servicemembers played in supporting the inauguration — from logistics (like role-playing the rehearsal) to protection.

There was another, lower-key support element as well:  Chaplains deployed to support the troops, too:

The chaplains’ mission is to provide emotional and spiritual support for [6,000] Guardsmen so soldiers and airmen may focus their attention on accomplishing their assigned mission during the ceremony.

The US military generally does an admirable job of supporting religious freedom, and chaplains deploy around the world — and to Washington, DC — to help make that happen.

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Homosexual Military Advocate to Co-Chair Inauguration

Update: A follow-up from the Anchorage Daily News, in which David Hall said

I would have never thought in a million years that one day I would be standing in the Oval Office…thanking the president for the work he did for gay people…

David Hall, current director of development at the homosexual advocacy OutServe-SLDN, has been named a “citizen co-chair” of the Presidential inauguration.

Former Air Force Staff Sgt. David Hall, discharged under the repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, was chosen as one of eight Americans to serve as a “citizen co-chair” of the 57th Presidential Inauguration…

On Inauguration Day, the co-chairs will take part in the inaugural parade, riding on the “Our People, Our Future” float, and attending the Inaugural Ball.

A famous man once said he looked forward to the day when people would be judged based upon the “content of their character.”

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Judge Suggests Judicial Review of Prayer

The US Court of Appeals for the DC circuit recently dismissed the case of Newdow v Roberts.  The suit had sought to make “so help me God” in the inaugural oath illegal, as well as restrict inaugural prayer.  Newdow may be a familiar name, as he has filed many lawsuits claiming references to God in government are unConstitutional.

The ruling is largely procedural; the three-judge panel of the 11 member court said the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue.  However, the concurring opinion by judge Brett Kavanaugh actually addressed the merits of the case, and it is an interesting insight into religion in government.  It also contains some troubling commentary, which directly relates to the military.  Read more