Reading my Army War College Alumni magazine, I ran across the section saluting the latest “Outstanding Alums” for their extraordinary contributions after retirement from the service. My mind drifted back to last October during our biennial gathering. Present were veterans who are still serving in several capacities, in communities across America. This contribution for God and country never slowing pace. These War College folks have nothing on Army UMT “alums”. Allow me to share one of our USACCRA member stories of such service and sacrifice after retirement.
CH(COL-Ret) Ben Manning is a lifetime USACCRA member. He served from 1968-1995, retiring as a chaplain LTC. Wasting no time, he returned to pastoring. He currently shepherds a Disciples of Christ congregation in Boonsboro, Maryland with spare time spent as a part time chaplain at a local medical center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He always has plenty of time for his wife Carolyn, children, and grandchildren. Then in 2024 doctors discovered he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer which had spread to his liver. This diagnosis won’t go away, and time is limited. Chemotherapy began immediately. When I first called to check with Ben it was the night before his first chemo treatment. He was in a motel across from the hospital and a snowstorm was approaching with an estimated foot of snow that night. Yet Ben was no quitter about the treatment or continued ministry. Later, after several more treatments, I called again. Ben was working on a two-week chemo cycle intentionally arranged so he could continue to care for the people of his congregation. He gets the treatment on Tuesday and is sick as a dog for the next four days, recovers, and leads worship and preaches on Sunday. That’s the “red week”. This is followed by a “green week” of renewable health to pastor the whole week. Then he repeats the schedule week after week. Talk about service after retirement. That is commitment, dedication, and determination fueled by faith in God and love of neighbor.
The list of such USACCRA heroes contributing to their communities after retirement is legion. I just read the completed books written and released by one member in his 80s and the other in his 90s. Both books have been sent to our Institute for Religious Leadership Library to instruct the future generations of UMTs. I dare not offer names to miss so many others. In fact, I’ve never met a USACCRA member that wasn’t a prime candidate for anyone’s alumni award for outstanding service after retirement. For Ben and all of you who serve in some way years after your Army service, you have my deepest gratitude and admiration. You are all outstanding alums of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps!
Scottie Lloyd
USACCRA President
PS. The Army War College Foundation News and Alumni magazine (Winter 2025) pictures CH(COL) Tim Ryu (USACCRA Board advisor from the OCCH), CH(COL) Karen Meeker (AFRICOM and USACCRA member), and CH(COL) Tim Maracle.
