WASHINGTON. — Soldiers and Airmen gathered in an outdoor lunch hall at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling (JBAB) for a moment of fellowship with Auxiliary Bishop Neal Buckon on September 7, 2025.
The Archdiocese for the Military Services is a unique Catholic jurisdiction responsible for overseeing pastoral care for military personnel worldwide. At JBAB, Bishop Buckon greeted National Guard Soldiers activated on a mission to “keep D.C. safe and beautiful.”
Buckon is a former U.S. Army Ranger and was invited to share mass and spend time with the troops. During his sermon, he urged Soldiers: “Be brave and steadfast as you go forward.”
For Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bernard Ogan with the District of Columbia National Guard the bishop’s presence was deeply meaningful.
“It was an added treat to have the auxiliary bishop here,” Ogan said. “This reaffirms what the National Guard provides to Soldiers […] a complete, holistic [approach] having the ability to freely worship at the same time we are doing our mission. For me, it means a lot to attend a worship service that the National Guard and our command have provided.”
Staff Sgt. Noah Boggs, with the South Dakota National Guard, reflected on his personal faith journey.
“I’ve been on my Catholic journey for two years now, going on three,” Boggs said. “So to be able to do this, to get my religious needs met while also being able, in a few hours, to go on mission is something that I am very thankful the Army was able to do.”
During the service, Bishop Buckon led prayers for Soldiers, their families, and for leaders to be guided in making the best decisions. He also shared a passage from the book of Joshua, describing God’s guidance of the people of Israel into the Promised Land:
“So they went into the Promised Land and started farming, building cities, and establishing boundaries. This was the Old Testament. Jesus, He’s leading us to the Promised Land, walking ahead of us. We are following Him in this life, looking toward the future with hope.”
Buckon closed by offering words of gratitude and encouragement saying, “thank you for your courage and commitment. I know the sacrifice you carry some of you separated from spouses, children, or family [...] But what you are doing is significant, even if you don’t always see it”.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2025 10:44 |
| Story ID: | 547722 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON , DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 2 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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