We didn’t take a picture this time, but here is the summary of our last meeting.

The East Alabama Chapter of USACCRA met Tuesday, March 28, at the Golden Corral in Oxford, Alabama.

The guest speaker was LTC David Wood, Professor of Military Science at Jacksonville State University. Those attending were apprised of numerous changes in ROTC recruiting and training, as well as new issues relevant to all commanders, given new personnel policies currently in place.  

Attending were George Gray with his sons David Gray and Larry Gray, Jim Holiday, Jim Wilson, Mickey and Sandra Morton, Troy and Dianne Douthit, Hugh and Dorothy Kelso, and Tom and Carolyn Smith.

The next meeting will be on June 27 at 11:30 again at the Golden Corral in Oxford. Any and all chaplaincy family members are invited.

Thank you for including this article in the next newsletter.

Tom

Thank you, Eric Wester, for providing the photo and the following write-up:

On Tuesday, 16 May, we gathered as currently serving and retired chaplains, chaplain assistants, and DREs.  We met at the Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club overlooking the scenic Potomac River.  This time there were no reported sightings of bald eagles, but routinely visitors to the area spot them either flying or perched in all their glory.

We welcome all attending:  Eric Wester, Gary and Susan Dahl, Donna Weddle, Dave and Janice Hicks, Demetrius Walton, Carleton Birch, Timothy Mallard, Wayne and Connie Ice with son, Wayne, Jane Heaton, Sherry and Jerry Reynolds, Bill Jokela and Randall Bowen.

Due to travel or moves, we extended greetings and prayers for some not with us who sent word:  Wayne Lehrer, Ben and Betty Nass, Rick Cantrell, Jeff and Monika Young (in Germany), Ivan Ives (in Oregon), Dennis Madtes (attending his youngest son’s college graduation in SC) Paula Wester (working at Walter Reed) and Ron Crews (relocated to Gainesville, GA).

Chaplain Timothy Mallard, the garrison chaplain, welcomed our group and offered our invocation and prayer of gratitude for the meal.  We enjoyed a bountiful buffet and got some updates.  First, Donna Weddle, shared her grateful words for the enormous support and turn-out for the committal service to bury beloved Army Chief of Chaplains (MG) G.T. Gunhus on Friday, 28 April at Arlington National Cemetery.   Also, Donna is a member of the National USACCRA Board, so she provided information about the hotel search for the planned Fall 2018 national USACCRA gathering.  The 2018 USACCRA meeting is planned for the national capital region.  Details about the gathering and our preparation and support will follow.
Chaplain Mallard updated the group on ministry activities at Fort Belvoir and emphasized the robust and diverse military mission and vibrant chaplaincy activities, including 10 different regular worship services, religious education, and other ministries.

Finally, we noted the upcoming 242^nd anniversary of the Chaplain Corps and planned observances.  Additional information received on the day of the meeting announced a morning memorial service at Fort Myer, Arlington, VA, along with ceremonies at Chaplains Hill and the Tomb of the Unknowns.  All of these activities will be Friday, 28 July 2017.  Practicing and retired chaplaincy personnel will be welcomed at this event planned by the Military District of Washington.

Next Event:  Fort Myer, Friday, 28 July 2017 to commemorate the 242^nd Anniversary of the Chaplain Corps!  Watch for further details.

On July 29^th the local San Antonio USACCRA Chapter sponsored a memorial service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.  This was the second annual service.  Last year our first one was very small.  We were thrilled to have such a great turn out this year.

Each year we select a representative Chaplain and Chaplain Assistant who is laid to rest at the Fort Sam Houston Cemetery.   We honor their memory on behalf of the thousands of Chaplains and Assistants who have served our nation from the American Revolution until today.  This year our attendance was bolstered by a great turn out of active duty Chaplains and Assistants.  Also, we were pleased to have family members of our two honorees, Chaplain Conrad Walker and SSG Manuel Barrera.  We also received excellent support from the National Cemetery administration and the MSD organization.

barrera-and-walker-inserts-memorial-service-2016

usaccra-annual-memorial-ceremony_completed

“New and old members of the AZ Chapter of USACCRA had a good luncheon on Feb. 17, 2016, at the Thunder Canyon Brewery in Tucson.  We were happy to have the Days, Kohlenbranders, Weddles, Roy Ludlow, Steve Utter, and retired Chaplain Assistant Terry Cotton, who was able to attend for the first time.  Most were from the Tucson and Sierra Vista area, with others in the Phoenix and Sierra Vista area unable to attend because they had many guests who were escaping some colder area, or were recovering from illnesses. We mourned the loss of Chaplains Emil Dinkel and Marty Ford in our group.  We’re planning to have our next meeting in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Look forward to seeing many then!”

The East Alabama Chapter of USACCRA met on March 10 in Oxford, Alabama. Chaplain (CPT) Arthur Harrison, SFC Joshua Jones, and PFC Jasmine Carter who form the ministry team in a Chemical Battalion headquartered at Fort McClellan, provided a brief overview of the ministries in which they are involved throughout the companies scattered around the State. The group thoroughly enjoyed this update on the changes that have occurred since they retired, but noted at rock bottom, much of the style of ministry remains constant.

In the picture, Front Row: Hugh Kelso, Mickey Morton, and George Gray. Middle Row: Jim Holiday, Dorothy Kelso, Sandra Morton, PFC Jasmine Carter, Diane Douthit, and Jim Wilson. Back Row: Arthur Harrison, SPC Joshua Jones, Tom Smith, Carolyn Smith, Troy Douthit, and Lama Denkins.

The Chapter will meet next time on June 28. Chaplain Jim Wilson is charge of a brief program for that gathering.

Dear Friends in Chaplaincy – What a marvelous gathering for lunch on Tuesday, 23 Feb at the Fort Myer Officers’ Club.  We were welcomed by Senior Garrison Chaplain (LTC) Mark Jones who greeted all attending and offered our invocation prayer.  Also, his spouse Chaplain (LTC) Carron Jones who served in the office of the Army Deputy Chief of Chaplains joined us.

You’ll see many familiar faces in the circle, including a number of “first time” attendees.  Also, we had a number of regulars apart from us whom we remembered in prayer: Donna Weddle (in her winter home in Arizona), Jeff and Monika Young (supporting Jeff’s sister and family during surgery), David and Janice Hicks (while Dave recovers from a recent stroke), Wayne Lehrer (doing final preparation for the 25th anniversary gathering after Desert Storm of the VII Corps in Washington DC), Doug Lee (traveling)  and Benchuck and Carolyn Manning.

Plans are for a Spring luncheon gathering at Fort Belvoir on Tuesday, May 17th.  We usually gather between 1145 and noon and kick off promptly with an invocation and blessing for our meal.  Please note the location – Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club.