Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Los Angeles native provides spiritual guidance in Afghanistan

    Los Angeles native provides spiritual guidance in Afghanistan

    Photo By Maj. John Parry | U.S. Navy chaplain Lt. Marcos Reyes, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, leads Marines and...... read more read more

    CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

    08.25.2013

    Story by 1st Lt. John Parry 

    II Marine Expeditionary Force   

    CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - A Los Angeles native and Navy sailor deployed to the Helmand province here from Camp Lejeune, N.C., with Combat Logistics Regiment 2, Regional Command (Southwest), in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, July 9.

    While in Afghanistan, Lt. Marco Reyes, a Navy chaplain, will provide religious services to forward deployed Marines both within the regiment and to Marines throughout the Helmand province.

    “I want to help others come to know and serve God better,” said Reyes enthusiastically. “I was always aware of the shortness of life and mortality, and I just want to help.”

    A U.S. military chaplain historically serves as a guide and mentor for service members who seek to develop spiritually while in the armed forces. Chaplains also provide service members an unbiased individual in the command who they may seek counsel from and confide in privately without command influence.

    “When we read the Declaration of Independence, it talks of inalienable rights,” said Reyes, a 1975 graduate of the University of California Los Angeles. “The freedom of religion to worship according to one’s own conscience should allow our sailors and Marines the ability to worship, and the chaplain is there to help them.

    Reyes, a 59-year-old ordained priest who provided Roman Catholic services for the parishes of L.A. from 1985-2012, has sought to join the active-duty military service for 17 years. Although not authorized to serve on active-duty, the archbishop of his archdiocese allowed him to join the Naval Reserves in 1996. In 2012, new Archbishop Jose Gomez granted Reyes’ request for full military service.

    “Several members of the parish had enlisted, and many of those noticed a shortage of Catholic priests,” Reyes said. “I wanted to help because the need was great. However, a priest won’t join without a bishop’s approval. The new bishop arrived and allowed me to apply and serve for three years.”

    Following completion of Officer Development School in Newport, R.I., and Navy Chaplaincy School out of Fort Jackson, S.C., Reyes reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 6 to prepare for his Afghanistan deployment.

    “It’s been a dream come true because I’ve wanted to serve for such a long time that I’m grateful for the opportunity,” added Reyes. “It’s great to work for people who put their life on the line and work for a noble cause.”

    Reyes noted his cultural upbringing in L.A. and his Hispanic heritage help him reach out to those who need him. His travels around the greater L.A. area led him to work at the Buena Ventura mission, established by Padre Serra in 1782 and the ninth mission built in California by the Spanish.

    “Being bicultural helps because it makes people a little more receptive to me,” continued Reyes. “My mother was a Mexican-American and my father was Mexican, and they settled in L.A.”

    Devout, educated and patriotic, Reyes will help guide and develop the morale and spirituality in the tradition of America’s military chaplains.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.25.2013
    Date Posted: 08.28.2013 02:28
    Story ID: 112716
    Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF
    Hometown: LOS ANGELES, CA, US

    Web Views: 1,442
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN