The 734th Regional Support Group’s Unit Ministry Team traveled from Poland to Lithuania to provide spiritual support to U.S. Soldiers at the Pabrade Military Training area, reinforcing the unit’s commitment to religious services and troop wellness across forward operating sites in the Baltic region.
PMT 1 is one of several forward operating sites within the 734th RSG’s area of operations, where the unit provides base operating support and integration services to rotational units deployed to Central Europe under V Corps in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
The mission was twofold for the UMT. In addition to the Protestant service led by Chaplain Maj. Steve De Haan, he and Staff Sgt. Shelby Davis, a religious affairs specialist, also facilitated a Catholic Mass.
The team welcomed Auxiliary Bishop Bill Muhm from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, to the Herkus forward operating site near PMT 1, where Muhm heard confessions from Catholic Soldiers and celebrated Mass.
During his homily, Bishop Muhm spoke about how Mass is a public event open to everyone. “That is very important,” he said, “because when one person practices their faith, it has a public ramification.”
De Haan and Davis both said the visit was much more than simply providing religious services. It was an opportunity to reconnect with friends they have served alongside for months, if not years, despite often being geographically separated by hundreds or even thousands of miles across the Baltic region.
Soldier wellness was the most important part of the trip for Davis. “Making sure Soldiers’ needs were met mentally and spiritually,” she said.
| Date Taken: |
08.23.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
08.31.2026 15:27 |
| Story ID: |
573606 |
| Location: |
LT |
| Hometown: |
CEDAR FALLS, IOWA, US |
| Hometown: |
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, US |
| Hometown: |
DES MOINES, IOWA, US |
| Hometown: |
JOHNSTON, IOWA, US |
| Hometown: |
KNOXVILLE, IOWA, US |
| Web Views: |
51 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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