November is often related to being thankful for all the blessings we have experienced during the year. Certainly, the USACCRA has enjoyed much to be thankful for. Let me list some of those gifts.
- The 2024 Gathering many are calling the best in several years. Both veterans and actively serving attended along with the Chief of Chaplains and RSGM participating all week. Ft Jackson contributed folks and the Institute of Religious Leadership (IRL) for hosting us Thursday afternoon.
- The launching of a new benefit to member families with a scholarship program. A team led by Susan Day is working to begin this benefit in 2025. Already money is being donated and matched up to $5,000 which would net us $10,000. Please send your donations to our treasurer, Dennis Madtes. It’s a good tax write off.
- A new chapter, The North Star Chapter, is in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They often meet at Ft. Snelling.
- Growing membership and finances are enabling the Association to make new efforts.
- One of those efforts may be the re-start of the Corps Store once run at the Institute of Religious Leadership (School house). If so, we would hope to do so starting in 2025.
- The San Antonio Chapter has volunteered to host the next biennial gathering in 2026. We have gathered there twice before over the years and each time it was a huge success. We thank our colleagues in the big state of Texas for standing up to another round of success and enjoyment for all.
- A recently elected slate of new board members including first ever representation from the National Guard and the Reserves.
- The stalwart ministry of John Brinsfield and Donna Weddle for continued work on Veteran death notices for website posting and back messages to the Office of Chief of Chaplains for condolences.
- The superlative ministry that continues with current board members supporting the entire Army Chaplain Corps through the efforts of the Association.
- Our webmaster and digital SME Chuck Heard and website editor, Tom Decker, who like the board members volunteer to make things happen in the Association.
- Special thanks to 1st VP, Gary Dahl and his wife Susan Dahl who diligently worked our successful 2024 Gathering. It took two years to pull this event off and they did it superbly.
- CH(COL) Bob Nay, who will retire in March 2025 and whose advisement helped the Association develop a better working relationship with the Chief’s Office.
- John Brinsfield and Tom Decker who both are still gifting us with their articles on the Chaplaincy during the Revolutionary War and Cold War Chaplaincy. Check out our website, org, for their latest installments.
- The Chief of Chaplains, CH(MG) William Green, Jr. and RSGM Meahan Simmons who lead the way as our #1 UMT in developing strong relationships with the Association through ideas of how we can support and more.
- Honorary Chaplain (Colonel) CH(COL)-Ret David Smith and Honorary RSGM (SGM)-Ret Pamela Smith as our Honorary UMT. Their ministry of presence at key training and other events on behalf of the Chief also provides an Association presence that tells our story in support of the Corps.
- All of our members now nearly 500 strong who never retired from their chaplaincy ministry of “Bringing God to people and people to God” by supporting the current Army Chaplain Corps by “living their call” serving “God and country”.
- And last, but not least, God almighty, whose loving strength pulses through each of us with all we need to be God’s hands and feet in a world that needs our Association witness in action “for such a time as this.
- My personal thanks to you all. You are always in my prayers.
Blessings and a joyous Thanksgiving season for all from the USACCRA.
Scottie Lloyd, USACCRA President
