By Sgt. Tracy Ellingsen
311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Sgt. Amelia Bradley remembers. She remembers being a 20-year-old supply specialist working in a warehouse at Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah, Ga. She remembers hearing the news crackling over a small radio about planes hitting buildings, towers falling and people dying. And she remembers gathering in her platoon sergeant's office to pray.
Seven years later, while serving on her second deployment since the terrorist attacks of, Sept. 11, Bradley once again found herself in prayer. But this time it wasn't with just a few of her fellow Soldiers, but with Chaplains, commanders, service members and civilians representing various religions, backgrounds and experiences.
The 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) hosted an interfaith prayer breakfast to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks of, Sept. 11, 2001. Along with a hearty meal, those in attendance were filled with songs, prayers, scripture readings and messages.
"It's great to have different people who are different faiths under one roof," said Bradley, who is the praise and worship leader for the Camp Arifjan Gospel service.
From the opening prayer, given by Rabbi (Capt.) Henry Soussan to the benediction given by Chaplain (Maj.) Yo Sup Lee, Thursday's breakfast united the religious community here.
While a video presentation showed images from New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pa., an emotional hush fell over the worshipers.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Ken Revell from the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) continued on with the remembrance by reading a stark run down of the events of that fateful day. As listeners wiped away tears he went through a minute by minute account.
"At 8:45 a.m. American Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center," he said. "At 9:03 a.m. United Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center."
Revell also spoke of a three fold response in dealing with the tragedy.
"First is a call to memorialization," he said. "Second is a call to mission. Third is the call to live giving, life sustaining, and life undergirding prayer."
In addition to the helmet, weapons and boots issued to troops by the military, Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Ayala, the 311th's senior enlisted Soldier, encouraged those in attendance to turn to a verse from the Bible to provide another element of protection.
"Ephesians chapter six, verse ten, says to take up the whole armor of God," Ayala said. "Put on the helmet of salvation, the breast plate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, put the Gospel on your feet, and carry the sword of the spirit."
The command sergeant major also encouraged the listeners to pray for the troops now in harms way in his closing remarks.
"We have Soldiers who face the enemy everyday," said Ayala. "Not only is there a physical battle, there is a spiritual battle as well."
As the breakfast ended, the troops put on their hats and sunglasses and left the military dining facility with the lessons of, Sept. 11, once again fresh in their minds and the prayers of so many on their hearts.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2008 09:53 |
| Story ID: | 23504 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 423 |
| Downloads: | 379 |
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