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    Soldier and Army Family resiliency gets boost at new spiritual life center

    USAG Italy Spiritual Life Center Ribbon Cutting

    Photo By Maria Cavins | CASERMA EDERLE, Vicenza - The USAG Italy Religious Support Office celebrated its...... read more read more

    ITALY

    09.06.2019

    Story by James Brooks 

    U.S. Army Garrison Italy

    VICENZA, Italy (Sept. 6, 2019) - A one-of-a-kind Army facility opened at
    USAG Italy's Vicenza military community this week with a dedicated staff of professionals intent on boosting spiritual faith and resiliency of Army
    Soldiers and their families.

    "This space is important for our community because previously, all our
    religious education and faith formation programs happened in one large
    chapel-activity room and it was just too cramped to meet the needs of our Soldiers and families," said Dr. Grace Yeuell, Religious Education Program Director.

    According to Yeull, there was a great need and demand for new space. So far this year, more than 11,375 community members took advantage of more than 200 classes per quarter in 20 ongoing religious education programs. A large room with four wall dividers was literally bursting at the seams for more space. More importantly, a community quality of life survey measured emotional health where Soldiers and family members shared their concerns about the lack of spiritual services and lack of spiritual diversity.

    Lt. Col. David Schnarr, USAG Italy garrison chaplain, told the crowd who
    attending the ribbon cutting ceremony the important connection between
    religious faith to resiliency. The role of a spiritual life center's
    contribution to resiliency is as great, if not greater, than fitness or
    medical facilities, but not many people see it that way.

    "This is a place to build faith. Faith builds resilience. Not only does
    research indicate a positive correlation between participation in religious
    programs and overall well-being, but stories of Soldiers overcoming great
    adversity in combat highlight the importance of faith versus strength. In a high operations tempo military community like Vicenza, the Religious Support Office (RSO), must be fully on our game, providing the best support possible for our Soldiers and their families, " said Schnarr.

    Garrison Commander Col. Daniel J. Vogel helped the RSO staff cut the opening ribbon and thanked everyone who helped make the spiritual life center possible.

    "This project was five years in the making. There is still some work to do,
    but there's been a tremendous amount of work to get here. Special
    appreciation for the volunteers who made this happen and also our department of public works team who seemed to work non-stop to get this done. Dr. Yeuell, the chaplains, and their team will certainly take this garrison to new heights," said Vogel.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.06.2019
    Date Posted: 09.06.2019 09:57
    Story ID: 338675
    Location: IT

    Web Views: 52
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN