Freedom Chapel Opens for Unified Spiritual Relief [for the troops * and civilians * IRAQ]

CENTCOM ^ | Sept. 23, 2003 | Spc. Petersi Liu

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Freedom Chapel Opens for Unified Spiritual Relief

by Spc. Petersi Liu

CAMP CEDAR II, Iraq - Four chaplains from four battalions have joined pastoral forces here with the Sept. 14 dedication of the first ‘Freedom Chapel’ built in Iraq.

Before the consolidation, Chaplain (Capt.) Abimael Rodriguez of the 394th Quartermaster Battalion, Chaplain (Maj.) Scott Sterling of the 260th Quartermaster Battalion, Chaplain (1st Lt.) Mark Minner of the 362nd Quartermaster Battalion and Chaplain (Maj.) Robert Searle of the 346th Transportation Battalion had performed their services separately in four different battalion Morale, Welfare and Recreation tents.

The four Protestant chaplains had held a variety of programs that were not available to the other battalions’ service members. For example, Rodriguez conducted services in Spanish.

“Those MWR tents confused many soldiers who sought chaplain assistance. Sometimes they discovered it was not a place dedicated for worship due to scheduling conflicts,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Susan Addams of the 171st Area Support Group who visits here regularly but is based at a neighboring camp in Tallil, Iraq.

“Now, all service members and civilian contractors have access to a wider variety of religious programs in a dedicated chapel,” she said.

Kellogg, Brown and Root, the company contracted to build the chapel, started construction in June. The original floor plan called for nothing more than the erection of a general-purpose empty tent. However, the chaplains gathered together their needs and wishes and asked KBR to include additional specifications, said Sterling.

The happy outcome includes seating for 200 worshippers, two private offices, three decorative tables, a waiting room, a lectern, an altar, columns, light fixtures, ventilation frames and a colored ‘Freedom Chapel’ sign in front of the chapel, he said.

“We appreciate KBR’s consideration. They really went all the way to make service members feel that this comfortable chapel is a place of peace for worship,” said Sterling. “That is especially important when we counsel hundreds of traumatized soldiers who have lost comrades.”

On Sept. 15, the day after the dedication ceremony, the Freedom Chapel was put to use for one of its sadder purposes. A memorial service was held for Spc. Ryan Carlock, a driver with the 416th Transportation Company who was killed by Sept. 9 while driving with a convoy. More than 250 people showed up at the new chapel to pay their respects.

“In the past, we held memorials outside on sand and dust. Now we have a chapel. It is a more peaceful place,” said Spc. Wesley Blachard, a friend of Carlock and a 416th driver, too.

Balancing soldiers’ spiritual needs and mission demands, the chaplains have split the chapel schedule so that service members have full access to all chaplain services, said Addams.

On Sundays, each of the four Cedar II chaplains holds a service in the Freedom Chapel. On Mondays, Rodriguez conducts Spanish Bible study and gospel choir practice. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, Minner, Searle and Sterling lead Bible studies. On Wednesdays, a Roman Catholic chaplain from a neighboring camp performs Mass. On Saturdays, a visiting Jewish, Catholic or Protestant chaplain holds services.

The chapel is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, but a chaplain is always on call 24 hours to offer the comfort of faith at the Freedom Chapel.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 Thanks, Tonkin!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

They really went all the way to make service members feel that this comfortable chapel is a place of peace for worship,” said Sterling. “That is especially important when we counsel hundreds of traumatized soldiers who have lost comrades.”

Freedom Chapel. Ping!

If you want on or off my PRO-coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days). All links are added to my homepage, link above.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

The chapel is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, but a chaplain is always on call 24 hours to offer the comfort of faith at the Freedom Chapel.

This is wonderful news! Faith and strength will protect the soldiers. May God bless them.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Pan, CENTCOM did a good thing posting this today, don't you think? The US military response to the President facing Kofi, Clinton and Chirac - to remind people to pray for our troops!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

to remind people to pray for our troops!

That's an interesting way to look at it! Have you pinged the FR prayer lists with this? (More than likely you have, you generally keep your bases covered!)

[LiteKeeper]

Retired Chaplain Hooah!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Good idea! I ping TEXOKIE, but forgot Salvation. Will add it to the troop prayer thread as well.

[Sacajaweau]

I bet the soldiers asked for this so they could stay with their buddies when they needed a little quiet. We're right there with ya Brave Soldiers!!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Hoo ah! for our retired Chaplain. Thank you for your service to our troops!

[LiteKeeper]

:-)

[blackie]

Freedom Chapel ~ Bump!

[windchime]

Bump!

[TEXOKIE]

What wonderful news, Rags! Thanks for the post! And thank you for posting it on the Troop Prayer Thread! This is being sent out on email!

For those who wish to join other FReepers in supporting our troops spiritually, you are invited to check out the Troop Prayer Threads! All, (even, and especially lurkers!) are most welcome!

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/973786/posts

[PhilDragoo]

“We appreciate KBR’s consideration. They really went all the way to make service members feel that this comfortable chapel is a place of peace for worship,” said Sterling. “That is especially important when we counsel hundreds of traumatized soldiers who have lost comrades.”

How about that KBR--and they were supposed to be such profiteering cronies of the administration. Shall have to advise my otherly-surnamed nephew in their employ that they are not so coldly regarded.

[TEXOKIE]

BUMP THIS THREAD!!

It's taken me a little while to get my guide books all arranged, Rags, but finally I've put them together, and this thread is now one of our Prayer Warrior Field Trips!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Morning to the prayer warriors!

Civilians welcome at this chapel, too. Iraqis eventually?

8 Iraqi Christians hold first post-Saddam conference

[TEXOKIE]

Great idea! Open to all comers...eventually :-)

Bumping!