by Scottie Lloyd, President, USACCRA
Often September is the month of beginnings, activities that pace our lives. Schools start and houses of worship increase commemorations and celebrations. For the USACCRA membership we return to getting together after four years and COVID. It’s a part of our life’s pace. The suspense for registration is 23 September. Please make those reservations now. You are needed as never before and desired by may folks to be seen. Go to chaplainregiment.org for details and registration and remember, hotel reservations are a second separate step from registering for the event.
Last month I asked for help with donations to help the Association revive its outreach to active serving chaplains and assistants and DREs passing through the Institute of Religious Leadership (school house). Praise God and my gratitude for 10 people, so far, who responded with a total of $850 towards this goal. Plans are being made to find the appropriate awards for top honor graduates. At least three of our current board members have committed to being our official presence at these graduations and telling the Association’s story.
Another recent opportunity to extend that story is CH(COL-R) Karen Diefendorf, who will serve at the Chief’s request as a “grey beard” for this year’s Senior leader Religious Conference. As our USACCRA 3rd VP for local chapters, she will tell our story to all the 06 and 05 chaplains serving the Corps currently. Thanks to the chief for her selection and to Karen for supporting the Corps and the Association. And speaking of selection, did you know CH Diefendorf was recently chosen by the Military Chaplains Association for special honors for how she has continued her ministry after ‘retirement’ from the Corps?
This message of ours is taking shape on a totally revamped website by SFC-R Chuck Heard. Look for a whole new site, easier use, and greater content. Members are reminded that we are always looking for good articles on a variety of Chaplain Corps related issues. Contact me (srlloyd@msn.com) if you have ideas and/or manuscripts to submit. There is no format to follow and length is hopefully no more that three or four double-spaced pages.
Looking to the future, the 250th anniversary of the Chaplain Corps, the U.S. Army, and the Nation is quickly coming in 2025-2027. The USACCRA is scheduled to gather next in 2024. We can be the kickoff event to what will be a series of huge celebrations in the Corps, Army, and Nation commemorating many major moments pivotal in our history. Mark your calendars now for two years from now. We will announce the location of our 2024 gathering in Tucson. The date will be worked and announced after coordination with several folks. Be prepared to possibly meet at a time other than in the fall of the year. Adjustment is necessary to truly live up to the Association’s purpose and goals to support all the Chaplain Corps, actively serving, retired, and all components. We are a team. We are the Regiment. We are the Chaplain Corps.
Pro deo et patria my friends.
Scottie Lloyd