Nebraska Welcomes their new State Chaplain

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anna Pongo | The Nebraska National Guard's newest State Chaplain, Lt. Col. Brian Kane, speaks at the Passing of Stole ceremony, held at the Joint Force Headquarters, in Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 4, 2021. (Nebraska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Anna Pongo)  

LINCOLN, NE, UNITED STATES

12.04.2021

Story by Staff Sgt. Herschel Talley 

111th Public Affairs Detachment

The Nebraska National Guard welcomed their new State Chaplain, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Brian Kane, in a Passing of Stole ceremony held at the Joint Force Headquarters, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Dec. 4, 2021. The ceremony was to also celebrate the outgoing State Chaplain, Col. Phillip G. Houser, on his retirement after more than 24 years of service.
The stole dates back to early empires and governments and was presented to high officials as symbols of their office. The early Christians incorporated stoles in their worshiping communities as symbols of Jesus Christ’s yoke. Stoles were reduced in size and were worn by ministers over both shoulders as symbols of their spiritual leadership and responsibility and as a visible sign of their voluntary submission to the will of God.
During the ceremony, Houser inquired of Kane his dedication to the position of State Chaplain as well as his dedication to assist all chaplains, religious affairs noncommissioned officers in their spiritual directions, to which Kane replied he would with the help of God. The Adjutant General for the state of Nebraska, Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, then removed the stole from Houser and placed it on Kane, officially marking him as the new State Chaplain for the Nebraska National Guard.
As the new State Chaplain, Kane stated his mission is building relationships with Soldiers and building relationships with the Chaplain Corps team.
“What I’ve learned in my life, as a priest, is that my mission is most effective when it’s based on building relationships and that’s definitely my goal,” Kane said. “If people know that we’re available as chaplains, we’re more accessible to them when there’s a time of need.”
Kane enlisted in the Nebraska Army National Guard in March of 2003 after having no real intention of becoming a chaplain.
“The convincing part for me was the morning I had to go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) at 4:30 in the morning,” Kane said.
“I’m getting in my car, going ‘what am I doing’ and I turned the car on and the radio was already on and at 4:30 in the morning, the first thing out of the radio was an ad for the Nebraska Army National Guard and I’ve been in since. I described it as the providential hand of God telling me, ‘this is where I want you to go’ and be at peace.”
Kane attended Chaplain Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina the summers of 2003 and 2004, before deploying to Iraq, with Nebraska’s 67th Area Support Group in 2005 and again in 2010, with the 67th Battlefield Support Battalion. He just returned from serving six years at the St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, as the Dean of Men, which is a position for the formation for men starting the priesthood, while continuing his service in the Nebraska Army National Guard.
When asked what he wanted the Soldiers of the Nebraska National Guard to know about him, Kane said that he didn’t want people to be hesitant to approach a chaplain because they’re afraid they have a different religious preference or background than them.
“My goals are also to reduce that,” Kane said. “I really want to emphasize that we are here for everyone and that’s really important to me.”
The outgoing State Chaplain, Houser served as the Nebraska National Guard State Chaplain for five years and prior to that, served as the Deputy State Chaplain from November 2008 to March 2016. His career began in 1997, when he received his commission as a Chaplain (1st. Lt.) in the United States Air Force Reserve. He transitioned to the Nebraska Air National Guard in 2005, before transitioning again to the Nebraska Army National Guard in 2008, after a deployment to the Philippines with the Joint Special Operations Task Force.
Kane also congratulated and thanked Houser for his years of service.
“For the many years of service that you’ve given to us, the leadership and the guidance you’ve given us, the shepherding, as Bishop Conley described,” Kane said. “That’s how we have experienced your care for us as a shepherd and your care for me, and all of us, has been a blessing and know of our special prayers for you as you begin your new adventure in God’s calling.”

• Date Taken: 12.04.2021
• Date Posted: 01.11.2022 14:34
• Story ID: 412620
• Location: LINCOLN, NE, US