Ft Huachuca Chaplain says Sept. 11, 2001, attacks brought nation to prayer and unity.

FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA -- The terrorists who on Sept. 11, 2001, thought they would force the people of the United States to their knees were right in one sense, Chaplain (Col.) Lilton J. Marks III said Monday.

But it was not the destruction of the country that was achieved. Instead, it caused more Americans to fall to their knees in prayer, he said.

"Those who died and those who suffer still represent us all. They were Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus, believers, unbelievers," Marks said of those who died and their family members and friends who survived on that day of tragedy nearly two years ago when New York City, Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania were the scenes of death and destruction.

Many of the people who suffered that day were Americans who could trace their ancestors to all around the world, the chaplain told nearly 120 people who attended a luncheon celebrating the 228th anniversary of the founding of the Army's Chaplain Corps.

Thanks.
Chaplain says Sept. 11, 2001, attacks brought nation to prayer and unity
BY BILL HESS

FORT HUACHUCA -- The terrorists who on Sept. 11, 2001, thought they would force the people of the United States to their knees were right in one sense, Chaplain (Col.) Lilton J. Marks III said Monday.

But it was not the destruction of the country that was achieved. Instead, it caused more Americans to fall to their knees in prayer, he said.

"Those who died and those who suffer still represent us all. They were Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus, believers, unbelievers," Marks said of those who died and their family members and friends who survived on that day of tragedy nearly two years ago when New York City, Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania were the scenes of death and destruction.

Many of the people who suffered that day were Americans who could trace their ancestors to all around the world, the chaplain told nearly 120 people who attended a luncheon celebrating the 228th anniversary of the founding of the Army's Chaplain Corps.

"Those who suffered and died included rich and poor, men and women, gay and straight, old and young, wise and foolish, frivolous and serious, righteous and unrighteous, ordinary and extraordinary, innocent and guilty, hopeful and hopeless, great and small," Marks said.

Those who died and suffer still must be remembered, he said.

"Let each death represent a thousand more, let each grieving family represent 10,000 more, and let each tear represent a 100,000 more," the chaplain said.

But there has to be care that while the nation is on its knees in prayer that it does not lead to vengeance, he said.

"All of this suffering ignites in us the need to retaliate. Our fear pushes for vengeance and revenge. We are in danger of becoming blind with hate," Marks said.

The nation has to remain on its knees and turn to God to "repent our sins," he said.

"There must be consequences for this evil deed. Otherwise, freedom in this nation and in the world will be destroyed," Marks said.

He added, "We need to return to the Lord and ask forgiveness of our sins. We must clean our hands and ask God to forgive us of our mistakes and shortcomings. We must work for a better world. We must be a better people."

If people of the nation don't become better, "evil cannot be stamped out," Marks said.

When the planes crashed into the twin towers in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania, Osama bin Laden "didn't send them after black folks or white folks, or Hispanic folks, or Asian folks, or Indian folks, or Arab folks, he sent them after American folks," the chaplain said.

"We must pray for direction to solve or prejudices in the sandbox. But we must stop arguing about what's going on in the box and fight for the box," Marks said, alluding to the sandbox being the United States.

If the sandbox is not protected by all, "it won't be just black folks or white folks or brown folks or red folks or yellow folks that die, no, it will be American folks," he added.

Marks knows the hard times that comes with being in the Army.

A former enlisted medic and later an infantry officer who served in South Vietnam, he has a Bronze Star Medal for valor and a Purple Heart Medal. He also has a Combat Infantryman Badge and is authorized to wear the Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Today, he is the head chaplain for the Army's Training and Doctrine Command and works out of Fort Monroe, Va.

An ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, he has a bachelor's degree of science from the University of Colorado at Pueblo, a master's degree in administration from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, master of divinity from the Chicago Theological Seminary, a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. War College and a doctorate degree in ministry from the Interdenominational Theological Center.

During the luncheon, Marks presented retiring Chaplain (Col.) Juan Loya with a certificate of appreciation. Loya, the installation chaplain on the post, was presented a number of farewell gifts at the luncheon.

During his sermon speech, Marks asked the audience to remember that in the 228 years chaplains have served in the Army -- the Chaplain Corps was founded on July 29, 1775, 45 days after the Army was organized -- prayer has been a prime component of providing comfort.

Today, all U.S. citizens need to pray, he said.

"It's time for us to pray a repentance prayer because we've not been what we should have been. It is time to pray: 'God we're not all we should be. We want you to bless our country, restore or spirit and give us the right minds.' It's praying time, American. It's repentance time America," Marks said.

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