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FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq— "Let's continue praising God!" This was the inspirational instruction given by the Catholic priest which preceded the mellow sounds of an acoustic guitar and the sound of more than a dozen reverent, joyful voices at Mass at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Feb. 3.
Chaplain (Capt.) Patrick Van Durme of 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, whose hometown is Dansville, N.Y., flew in from FOB Marez near Mosul to FOB Warrior to conduct services.
Van Durme will also travel to five other FOBs in northern Iraq servicing Sykes, Tal Afar, Doria, Marez/Diamondback and McHenry.
Van Durme said he plans to come to FOB Warrior every week.
"We're gonna be here next week as long as the helicopters fly," said Van Durme.
After Mass, Sgt. 1st Class James Burkley, a 1st Brigade Combat Team Soldier, said "I feel like it gives me the freedom to practice my faith. This way, I get to practice the traditions I grew up with."
Maj. John Tran of 506 Expeditionary Combat Support from Los Angeles, Calif., read the scripture while Master Sgt. Mike McCarthy from a boarder transition team, and a native of Cochecton, N.Y., who happened to be here from Erbil, assisted Van Durme with conducting the service.
"We don't have religious services at all [in Erbil]," McCarthy said. "To get religious services is essential."
Mass was held Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 4 at 11:30 a.m. in the Air Force Freedom Chapel for 35 to 45 minutes.
Parishioners were invited, by Van Durme, to come back next week for Mass and to see him after service for confessions, to join the church, wedding preparations, conformations, etc.
Van Durme said he joined the Army for the opportunity to help Soldiers.
"I've been a priest for a long time," Van Durme said. "I've only been in the Army for two years. My nephew was in the service and went 18 months without service."
"I saw a need," he added. "It's hard work getting moved all around the battlefield, but it's what I need to do for the Soldiers.
| Date Taken: | 02.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2010 03:00 |
| Story ID: | 45246 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 355 |
| Downloads: | 336 |
This work, Catholic priest makes FOB calls, by SSG Christina Turnipseed, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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