TF Falcon soldier ushers fellow soldiers to spiritual fitness

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Spc. Turquoise Dawson (center), a property book clerk for Task Force Falcon, 10th Mountain Division, and native of Philadelphia, prays with fellow ushers prior to services at the Enduring Faith Chapel, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 10. Dawson serves as an usher during her deployment to Afghanistan and says the fellowship brings her a measure of peace. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class JR Williams)  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

05.10.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – “When people come to the chapel, I show them a happy face,” said U.S. Army Spc. Turquoise Dawson. “The first thing they see is a smile that says, ‘Let’s get church started with some fellowship and love. You came to the right place!’”

The property book office clerk for Task Force Falcon, 10th Mountain Division, serves as an usher every Sunday for the Baptist services held at Enduring Faith Chapel on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.

The Philadelphia native’s desire to serve in a spiritual role during her deployment speaks not just to her faith, but to a larger approach to her well-being. As the Army launches the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program, decisions like Dawson’s illustrate some of the behaviors and strategies that help one adapt and cope with challenges - behaviors and strategies Army officials hope to pass on to other soldiers.

According to the CSF home page, the program develops the "whole person," and gives the same emphasis to emotional strength given to physical strength. This holistic approach focuses on enabling soldiers, family members and Army civilians to better manage various physical and psychological challenges in their personal and professional lives along five specific dimensions of strength.

“CSF strengthens Soldiers, civilians, and families by making the most of five dimensions of strength through assessment and education. These are physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and family,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Bill Scritchfield, who serves as the TF Falcon, 10th Mtn. Div., chaplain.

Scritchfield, of Waynesburg, Pa., believes Gen. George Marshall explained the significance of Soldier spirituality best, "The Soldier's heart, the Soldier's spirit, the Soldier's soul are everything. Unless the Soldier's soul sustains him, he cannot be relied on and will fail himself and his country in the end."

Dawson’s “good thing” not only strengthens her own spiritual fitness, the smile she offers every Sunday plays a small role in strengthening the shared beliefs of those who join her each week.

“It does make me feel better to see her there smiling,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Derek Sherrill, a paralegal noncommissioned officer with TF Falcon, 10th Mtn. Div., and a native of Carbondale, Ill. “You can tell she is genuinely happy. It gets things going in the right direction.”

As for Dawson, she says the fellowship not only allows her to aid in the spirit worshipping, it also brings her some peace. “It’s a good refresher for the start of the week. I show thanks for getting through the week and gain strength to get through the next one.”

• Date Taken: 05.10.2011
• Date Posted: 05.09.2011 18:06
• Story ID: 70142
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF