CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - Maj. Gen. Donald Rutherford, chaplain, visited 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division chaplains and chaplain assistants at Camp Buehring, Kuwait today on Christmas Eve. This is the third year in a row he has visited soldiers in Kuwait on Christmas.

As the chief of chaplains, Maj. Gen. Rutherford oversees all chaplains in the U.S. Army.

Also in attendance were chaplains and chaplain assistants from 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas, and the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade out of Virginia.

Talking to the soldiers in the Camp Buerhing Chapel, Rutherford addressed concerns about potential downsizing saying, "we are going to retain the brightest and the best."

He also stressed the importance of mentorship for both young chaplains and chaplain assistants. "Counseling is the best way to communicate your standard of excellence," said Rutherford.

Rutherford was accompanied by Chaplain Assistant Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Stott.

Stott thanked everyone for what they do and challenged all the chaplain assistants to show their chaplains "what right looks like when it comes to religious support."

Maj. Buddy Winn, chaplain of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division said, “[the visit] gives me great comfort. This is a shared experience; it reminds us of the importance of the season and the religious freedom we enjoy."

The significance of the day was not lost on Chaplain Assistant Sgt. Steve Howe of 1st Squadron, 94 Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. "It's a great honor. His mission is bringing soldiers to God and Christmas is a very holy day for all Christians," said Howe.

Rutherford recognized that two thirds of the chaplains in attendance were from the Oklahoma, Virginia and Minnesota National Guard.

"We can't do what we're doing without the National Guard," said Rutherford. "We're one Army. They have certainly shown they are twice the citizen."

Rutherford concluded his visit by presiding over a Catholic Christmas Eve mass in the camp chapel.

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