FORT KNOX, Kentucky – Fort Knox held its annual National Prayer Breakfast March 5 at the Fort Knox’s Sadowski Center, and used the opportunity to speak about two of the Army’s strengths - unity and diversity.
Chaplains from organizations across the installation prayed for matters to include the nation, national and military leaders, local communities, Soldiers and their Families.
Maj. Jonathan Lee, the Fort Knox Family Life chaplain at U.S. Army Garrison, thanked God and prayed for Soldiers’ Families to be strengthened in spite of military hardships.
“We know that happy family relationships are the foundation of our military service,” Lee said. “Preserve the bonds of husband and wife despite the stress that military life brings. … Give [them] the strength and resilience to endure separations, frequent moves and all the uncertainty military life brings.”
The 1st Theater Sustainment Command chaplain, Col. Timothy Walls, delivered the main address, titled “Undivided,” inspired by Matthew 12:22-28, where Jesus talks about how a kingdom divided against itself will fall.
Walls said differences don’t have to divide people but may instead build strong bonds between them.
“It appears that many in our nation are allowing our differences to stand in the way of standing together. One thing that I truly love about the God who created us is that he loves diversity,” Walls said. “God created everyone differently and yet, his desire is that we not focus on how different we are, but to be one in unity and purpose.”
Walls said the result should produce a stronger cultural fabric.
“The tapestry of our nation is stitched together with the threads of many diverse cultures and peoples,” said Walls. “Yet, it emblazons a unified, beautiful, amazing work of art when we stand together.”
He praised the Soldiers who protect the American way of life by protecting the U.S. Constitution.
“[We] are a diverse and yet unique people,” Walls said. “[We are] unified together through this document that you and I have given our oath to protect and defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
In his closing remarks, Maj. Gen. John Evans Jr., commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, also praised those who defend the American way of life.
“We gather here today, each one of us to worship in our own way,” Evans said. “There are some who would probably not agree with those in a secular society having a prayer breakfast, but we have the right to do that, just as others have the right not to.”
Evans said the U.S. Constitution grants citizens the right to worship, and Soldiers protect that right when they pledge to defend it.
“I am reminded of our oath to the Constitution that ensures that we have the freedom to worship the way we choose,” Evans said. “That is precious about our country and our American way of life.”