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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — History was made after a Changing of the Stole ceremony inside the All American Chapel on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, June 8th, 2021, as the former 82nd Airborne Division chaplain, Lt. Col. Brian Koyn was recognized for his work, and passed the stole and spiritual leadership of the division to Lt. Col. Pinkie Fischer.
Fischer takes on the responsibility of religious leadership as both the first female and African American chaplain of the division. “It is an incredible honor to serve alongside paratroopers of this prestigious and renowned division,” said Fischer.
“At no time in this journey did I think that I would come full circle and return home to the very division that started my active-duty ministry” said Fischer who initially came to the 82nd Airborne Division in 2005 when she transitioned to active duty from the National Guard.
“Now I have been given an opportunity to give back what was instilled in me all these years” Fischer explained at the Change of Stole ceremony.
She replaces Chaplain Lt. Col. Brian Koyn “It has been an honor to serve as the all American shepherd these past two years, keep fighting the good fight and keep the faith,” said Koyn to the incoming division chaplain.
“She is a trailblazer,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue speaking of Fischer, “and this division, the all American division, is a trailblazer division”
The Changing of the Stole illustrates that the pastoral responsibility and spiritual leadership has passed from one chaplain to another. This tradition is rooted in the Bible as the Prophet Elijah passed the mantle to Elisha.
“As I accept this mantle of leadership, I will continue to build on and increase combat readiness and spiritual fitness,” said Fischer. “Continuing the legacy on the ground and in the air, for God and country, airborne all the way.”
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2021 14:33 |
| Story ID: | 398602 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 618 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 82nd Airborne Division Chaplain Stole Change, by SGT Rognie Ortiz Vega, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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