Military chaplains: a Presbyterian pastor patrols with his flock of soldiers in Iraq

Christian Science Monitor ^ | November 27, 2007 | Lee Lawrence

[PAR35]

Baghdad - Vendors and shopkeepers are gearing up for business along a market street in the northeastern neighborhood of Adhamiya, when a platoon of American soldiers disgorges from Humvees. The soldiers fan out up and down the street. Even on a low-key patrol to make their presence known and gather intel, the soldiers have to stay on the qui vive. Eyes dart up to rooftops and down side alleys; while one soldier smiles and nods greetings to a vendor, another peers to the back of the store.

From a distance the soldiers are indistinguishable: domed helmets, dark glasses, and tight-fitting armored vests in camouflage grays and greens. But closer inspection reveals differences. From the back of one soldier, a radio antenna quivers: platoon leader. Across the chest of another, only gloved hands – no rifle, no side arm strapped to thigh: chaplain. In orbit around him, another soldier, rifle ready: chaplain's assistant and bodyguard. Should fighting break out, he'll shove his charge behind a wall, to the ground, under a vehicle.

Chaplain Ron Eastes is on this patrol with members of his 82nd Airborne Army unit not because he is helping with the platoon's mission, but because the platoon itself is his mission.

[PAR35]

Eastes is affiliated with the conservative Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination and a graduate of Reformed Seminary, Charlotte.

[PeterPrinciple]

A must read about chaplains is the following:

http://www.amazon.com/Table-Presence-Dramatic-Battalion-Experienced/dp/0849918235

[hsalaw]

Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered the book.

[sweet_diane]

Had to check to see if this was about one of our former Pastors! He too is a Presbyterian (PCA) minister and Chaplain.

[PAR35]

Pinging you all to my 200th thread on FR.

[hsalaw]

As an officer, Eastes makes no bones about wanting US soldiers to be successful; he is equally clear that his concern is the conduct of war, not whether God endorses it.

Contrast this with the islamofascist terrorist murderers who claim allah demands the death of infidels.

[Gamecock]

***my 200th thread***

And a good one it is!

[PAR35]

I took a pass on several other opportunities when I realized I had reached the double century.

[Gamecock]

From the back of one soldier, a radio antenna quivers: platoon leader.

Wrong. That would be the radio operator.