Appreciation for military chaplains
August 20, 2010 
Last week I attended an interesting lecture at the Oklahoma History Center called, “Mental Health Impact – Soldiers Deployed to Iraq,” sponsored by the Department of Human Services and the University of Oklahoma. It addressed the mental health challenges sometimes encountered by American soldiers who’ve served in Iraq, especially those arising from traumatic combat experiences.
This lecture gave me quite an appreciation for the pressures soldiers face each day in the war zone. It also led me to reflect on the need for constant prayer and spiritual support for our men and women in uniform, — both as a protection to them from harm, as well as a remedy for hardships that can arise during deployment.
Following the lecture, I took a moment to consider the importance of U.S. military chaplains who provide ongoing spiritual support and comfort for our soldiers. A Washington Post blog, “The value and values of military chaplains,” notes that chaplains “might be the most undervalued asset in our military’s arsenal.” It’s written by an On Faith panelist (and Christian Scientist) who served in the military.
While certainly acknowledged by those familiar with military life, military chaplains also deserve broader public recognition for the vital role they have on and off the battlefield. And I’m grateful the Christian Science Church supports this role by training and providing military chaplains to our Armed Forces.
Having access to spiritual care and support by military chaplains is important and can lead to good health outcomes, expressed in better mental and spiritual health.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7)
Healing, Health, Spiritual care
Reader Comments (2)
What great thoughts, thank you!
I was living in Virginia in the DC area on 9/11 and then Army Lt Col Janet Horton was a Christian Science Army chaplain at the Pentagon. She gave several talks in DC CS churches soon after 9/11 about the chaplains being told to leave the Pentagon after the American Airlines passenger plane crashed into the building; but God told her to stay and help, which she did. She was able to save several lives of people stationed at the Pentagon who had to jump from the 3rd and 4th floors of interior windows of the Pentagon into the interior gardens to escape the fires caused by the crash and explosions. She said what sustained her was Psalms 139:7-10: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thy art there : if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I take the wings if the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea. Even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me."