Courtesy Photo | Members of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps and guests attended the U.S. Army Institute...... read more read more
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FORT JACKSON, S.C. – Members of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps traveled from locations nationwide to attend a Chaplain Corps Anniversary Celebration at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, July 25-28, 2023.
Since its establishment, members of the Chaplain Corps are assigned to units all over the world to help Soldiers with religious guidance and information from major religious faiths to include Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
“The Army recognizes that every Soldier has spiritual needs, and chaplains exist to meet those needs by performing and providing worship opportunities, confidential counseling, and advise on morals and ethics,” said Maj. Bartholomew P. Martin, Training and Resource Chaplain for the 81st Readiness Division. “Even though each chaplain represents a particular religious tradition, all chaplains work to ensure that every Soldier can exercise the religion of their choice.”
This year marks the 248th year since the corps was established. In honor of their accomplishments and anniversary, The U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership (USA-IRL) held Chaplain Corps Regimental Week activities on their campus as part of the celebration.
“On July 29, 1775, the Continental Congress established the Army Chaplain Corps and authorized one chaplain for each regiment of the Continental Army,” said Melvin D. Slater, Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership. “The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Anniversary Celebration represents 248 years of faithful and dedicated religious service support to America’s Army for God and country regardless of the Soldiers faith tradition.”
During this week-long celebration, chaplains, families and friends conducted multiple events including a regimental run, cake cutting, regimental awards and memorial, regimental ball, and many more.
“Participating in the Chaplain Corps birthday means a lot to me, because is a powerful reminder that we are part of an incredible heritage that is now older than our country itself,” said Martin. "Besides the present and future chaplains, this celebration also honored the past members of the corps who are no longer with us today as they have passed on in the line of duty, to give religious guidance and help to Soldiers."
By the end of the celebration, Soldiers and their Families learned more about the history of this corps and why it is regarded as one of the oldest and smallest branches in the Army.
“It is an incredible honor to be a member of the Chaplain Corps, as I love the opportunity to serve Soldiers and to help them never forget that they are human beings who need to cultivate a healthy spiritual life,” said Martin.
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.02.2023 08:08 |
| Story ID: | 450328 |
| Location: | SC, US |
| Web Views: | 217 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future of the Army Chaplain Corps, by SPC Steven Lee, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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