Nebraska Air National Guard Chaplain activates for first time during COVID-19

Photo By Staff Sgt. Heidi McClintock | Capt. Michael Zimmer, a chaplain with the Nebraska Air National Guard, helps distribute food to families in need during a Food Bank of Lincoln mobile pantry event, June 3, 2020, in Waverly, Nebraska. As the chaplain for the Joint Task Force Nebraska National Guard COVID-19 mission, Zimmer speaks with troops to check on their mental and spiritual welfare, and often offers a helping hand to their mission when he can. The Nebraska National Guard has multiple teams supporting food bank operations across the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Nebraska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi McClintock)  

LINCOLN, NE, UNITED STATES

06.04.2020

Story by Staff Sgt. Heidi McClintock 

Joint Force Headquarters - Nebraska National Guard

For Chaplain (Capt.) Michael Zimmer, traditional religious services are out the window for Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen activated and spread throughout the whole state supporting COVID-19 response efforts.
In April, Zimmer was activated as the chaplain for the Joint Task Force for Nebraska National Guard COVID-19 mission.
“A lot of my job is the ministry of presence,” Zimmer said. “Being around the Airmen and Soldiers, so they know me and feel comfortable to be around a chaplain.”
“Too often, there is a stigma that something must be wrong if you are talking to a chaplain,” Zimmer added. “The most rewarding times are when individuals are going through a struggle or crisis and being able to walk through the experience with them.”
Zimmer has been able to improvise when it comes to performing religious offerings by being supportive, offering encouragement and spiritual guidance to the Soldiers and Airmen while they perform their duties across the state of Nebraska.
“I’m glad to be able to serve in this capacity, serving Nebraskans in need,” Zimmer said. “I’m constantly edified by our servicemen and women. So many speak how they are glad to be able to serve in Nebraska.”
From team to team and location to location, Zimmer has been able to travel to the different sites where the Nebraska National Guardsmen are providing COVID-19 testing, food pantry support and personal protective equipment distribution.
“My time spent with them enables a relationship to be there for those difficult times,” he said.
When Zimmer isn’t talking to the troops spread throughout the state, he’s updating the commander with how morale is at each location along with any other information the teams want him to push up.
“I have the best job in the military,” Zimmer said. “I get to speak to and support our members. Sometimes it is difficult as they can be very busy with the mission, but I truly love what I do.”
Staff Sgt. Dustin Stroh, safety noncommissioned officer for the Joint Task Force, traveled with Zimmer and also spoke with Soldiers and Airmen to ensure safety matters for all the teams and site locations.
“Working with the chaplain has been a great experience,” Stroh said. “We have had lots of time to talk during our trips to different sites around Nebraska. During these discussions, I have noticed, above all, the chaplain's love for humanity. He often has a well thought out perspective to bring to a conversation, typically with sources he can quote.”
Both Zimmer and Stroh have observed the morale of the Soldiers and Airmen at each location throughout their time on duty.
“Overall, the morale has been high,” Zimmer said. “As I said, the opportunity to serve their neighbors has been a driving factor for our Airmen and Soldiers.”
Stroh couldn’t agree more.
“The thing I have noticed most during site visits is our troops are professionals,” Stroh said. “They keep high morale in adverse and ever-changing conditions. I have watched young Soldiers remain polite and patient with elderly clients that need to complete registration prior to testing. It makes me proud to be part of the organization and operation I am a part of.”
Zimmer said he has learned a lot from the troops and the overall COVID-19 mission.
“This mission has reinforced to me the importance of relationships,” Zimmer said. “The presence of a chaplain on a regular basis builds relationships that makes people more comfortable with reaching out to them in their time of need. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work and serve with amazing people.”

• Date Taken: 06.04.2020
• Date Posted: 06.04.2020 17:13
• Story ID: 371489
• Location: LINCOLN, NE, US
• Hometown: SUTTON, NE, US