Picture from recent training

Wanted to post this pic from my recent deployment training. As a chaplain it was good to have some experiences with the holy.

March update

Where to begin? I finished the basic chaplain course in the middle of February and returned to Andrews to get back to work. The chaplain course was outstanding with many useful training elements. I have to admit that out of all the professional and academic training that I have had, these were some of the most powerfully packed weeks I've experienced. The deployment field training was a highlight, but the counseling and intervention segments were outstanding as well. I was blessed to be surrounded by some bright talented chaplains as fellow students. I hope to get the chance to serve with some of them in the future. The instructors were first rate. I managed to get in quit a bit of PT winning the class PT award and coming within 3 seconds of maxing the PT run time. I've never come that close before, but as I get older the requirement gets lower and so far I haven't gotten slower, but I figure that is due to change soon.

Returning to work I found that many of our chaplain staff will be leaving either retiring or leaving the service for civilian work or moving to new assignments. That leaves us short handed through the summer with the summer months to be very tight. But we are expected to have new people coming in. As a result I find myself quite busy with various things from counselings to representing the chapel at various functions. I'm also putting together the Easter Sunrise service which is quite a big celebration I have found out. It is a tremendous blessing to be part of a team that loves to work together. I'm getting a great deal of help from our civilian staff. Our chaplain assistants are always there to depend on as well.

I found myself quickly back in the scheme of things ministering to the family of an airman in one of my units who was killed in DC while defending a friend from an assault, to a young couple one of whom is very sick, and to a parent with a very sick child.

So I am preparing myself for a very busy spring and summer with more training to come for deployment and a possible deployment later this year.

There is one thing I really dread about deployment -- you gotta see it to believe it! CAMEL SPIDERS. That don't call em that for nothing. click here to see one

News Report on Operation Outreach

Excerpts from a new article on Operation outreach include:

"Operation Outreach began in 2004 in an effort to forge stronger relationships with the local Bedouin populace that live around Ali Base, Iraq."

"'The goal of the program is to enhance base relationships with the local community and to foster communication and cooperation that can benefit force protection efforts,'" said Lt. Col. Charles F. Spencer Jr., 407th Expeditionary Support Squadron commander, deployed from Andrews. Colonel Spencer is also the 1st Airlift Squadron commander."

"The base chapel community has given monetary donations of more than $2,100, said Chaplain Reedy. Donations have been used to purchase needed items and to pay for postage. Also, approximately 70 pairs of sandals were purchased through donations. The commissary also worked with the vendors to donate 400 care packages consisting of toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo and chocolate candy bars. Andrews Officers' Spouses' Club donated stuffed animals."

Read the entire article about "Operation Outreach" in Andrews newspaper "The Capital Flyer" here: article

Off we go

Later this evening I'll say goodbye as a friend goes off for his deployment to the Middle East. As a chaplain, I'm sure he will have many opportunities to serve. Also one of our other staff members is off for his deployment. I myself depart Saturday for six weeks of training in how the AF does military chaplaincy. This will include a practice deployment training scenario in the field in Florida somewhere for about a week. After this training, I should be deployable myself. I'm looking forward to the school, though I must admit I will miss work. I truly enjoy the day to day work that we do and the people we work with. It will be a sad return as I will only have a few weeks left with one of our chaplains who will be leaving for better things. I've truly enjoyed working with all our chaplains.

The hardest part about leaving is trying to explain it to the littlest ones in the family. My two year old daughter sat on the porch the last time I was gone for an extended time asking if this way the day "daddy" was coming home. She's already aware that I'll be leaving again. But the truth is, it is still an honor, even with the cost to serve. Even when the time comes to deploy for an extended time to the theatre of operations, I do so recognizing the freedom and life that we enjoy here in this country is not guaranteed, but it must be preserved with much work and sometimes much cost.

Pictures from the desert

Here are some pictures back from Iraq of the school supplies and other items that were shipped from the chapel community at Andrews to one of our commanders who is deployed there and working with "Operation Outreach". His First Seargent and I made the purchases and arranged shipping. Airmen on the receiving end took the items out to local bedouyn tribes.


I especially like this first picture of this little barefooted girl with her box of crayons, paper, pencils, and other school supplies.







Another picture with a young family.







Here, the bulk of what was sent has arrived. Items included notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, rulers, sandals, and some toys. Also, other organizations on base here at Andrews sent some school supplies and clothing as well.








Notice the "Hooters" sweatshirt worn by the little boy on the left. What is considered a castoff in our world can be a great thing in another place.



Our troops are making a difference. So are the people who supported this program through the chapel. One constant message I hear from our wounded as they pass through, is how much they love the children of Iraq and how much the children love our soldiers. They are bright and beautiful people, and I suspect that one day American and Iraqi shall be the best of friends.

What Do Chaplains Do Anyway? Part 4

Chaplains care!

Chaplains care about the troops who they serve. Of course we are here to insure and facilitate the freedom of religious expression that our nation is built upon. But even beyond this, we have the opportunity to live out the calling of our Lord to love one another. The ministry of Jesus could certainly be characterized as a ministry of caring. Chaplains reach out in a variety of ways to show people that they are appreciated and cared for by their fellow Air Force community. Counseling and listening are just a couple of ways. Sometimes the chaplain will carry out hot chocolate in the cold of the night or early morning to those working in the cold. We drop an encouraging word, clasp a shoulder, or shake a hand wherever we get the chance. Yesterday, I had the privlege of doing an invocation/prayer for about 30 newly promoted airmen at our Wing's monthly promotion ceremony. It was inspiring to see the joy and eagerness in the faces of these men and women, some of them very young, as they take on additional responsibilities. Earlier that day, my supervisor put on his Lt. Col. leaves. His service to others has been recognized and he is on to bigger things and a wider avenue of service and responsibility.

Chaplains care: whether we are in the gym working out and stop in coversation, visiting a family of a deployed member, in a chow line visiting troops, by a hospital bed or carrying a litter on or off a plane, whether we stand saluting, or bow our heads in prayer -- we hope to convey to those who see and hear -- they are cared for: by God who created and redeemed them and by their fellow human beings with whom they work and for whom they serve.

An Air Force Year to Remember

An article on military.com states that for the Air Force 2005 was a year to remember. Certainly for myself, this was a year to remember: an "Air Force" year to remember. One year ago I was a parish minister in a very slow country setting of a small church. Today I'm part of a team that serves almost 10,000 folks. I've been through loads of training, done loads of counseling, and had the responsibility to make several large chapel projects happen. My family made a major move from the hills of Tennessee to the metro area of DC. I went from a job that offered little more than a slow pace to an exhilorating and demanding climate. Rewarding -- that is how one can describe life in the Air Force as a chaplain. There is always something worth doing and the joy of knowing that what one does makes a real difference in the lives of people who are making a difference.

I suspect 2006 will be a year to remember as well. In one week, I'll depart for six more weeks of intensive training, including deployment training.

A couple of links for you to peruse to see what kind of stuff the Air Force is up to:

US Air Force Year in Photos 2005

2005, An Air Force Year to Remember

A blessed happy new year to you.

A Quiet Night

Christmas Eve found our family at a Candlelight service at one of our chapels at Andrews. My daughters lit the Christ candle as we focused on the theme that Jesus the light of the world is already here and because of that hope shines bright. Hope for peace because of the one who is the Prince of Peace shines in our world. Hope that my job as officer and chaplain will soon be obsolete. There will be peace on earth and no more need for military or other such folks. There will be peace between God and people and no more need for shepherds of the flock for Christ will be here and all shall know Him.

Our choir did such a wonderful job with "Still, Still, Still" and our organist/pianist had the perfect touch in accompaniment. I especially enjoyed the harpist that the chapel contracted. She played music before the service, a special piece during, and accompanied our hymns. And the chapel was lit with candle light brilliance. It was truly an enjoyable experience leading this service.

Christmas Day, I'll be able to sit with my family in church -- the first time I've done that on a Christmas since my wife and I were first married. I've always been holding the services. Its nice to be able to enjoy the best of both worlds -- parishioner and one of the flock.

I have to put a plug in for our chaplain assistants. The rest of the base is on a four day stand down (mostly, no base ever completely shuts down), but our assistants were out there Christmas Eve and will be Christmas Day getting everything ready for the multitude of services offered in the Protestant and Catholic communities here on base. Many people sacrifice time with family, not just so Christmas can be celebrated, but so that the nation is kept safe. I know of many folks working today -- taking care of wounded, flying and maintaining aircraft, and more.

Stuff headed for desert

Today, with the help of one of our first shirts, I mailed out over 1300 dollars in school supplies to a commander from our base who is forward deployed for a project entitled "Operation Outreach". Thanks to the generous donations of many of the attendees of our Sunday morning Chapel 1 protestant services and to vendors who service our local commisary, we sent 30 boxes of school supplies, hygene kits, sandles, and toys to school children in Iraq. The brings pretty much to a close a project that has been in works for about six weeks.

Now I turn my efforts to focusing on my upcoming temporary duty for training down in Montgomery. Six more weeks of training, this time focusing on being a chaplain who is prepared for deployment into an area of operations.

So this touches on a couple of other areas that chaplains work in -- special ongoing projects and training -- lots and lots of training. Just like everyone else, we stay trained so we stay ready to go and do the job.

What Do Chaplains Do Anyway? Part 3

Visitation. Lots of visitation. Every Air Force base is composed of numerous groups of people organized around a particular tasking which are called Squadrons. Each chaplain is assigned to a number of squadrons. I currently have a very large squadron, two smaller ones, and am the point chaplain for a large tenant unit that is located here. As one Commander shared with me, I'm only good to him if his troops know who the chaplain is. So chaplains spend a lot of time out where the troops are getting to know them and what they do.

There is always a chaplain on call 24/7. The duty chaplain will visit the work areas that are spinned up after normal duty hours like the hospital, the Command Post, various security posts and service areas.

The Air Force has a neat term for this: "Ministry of Presence". We are not out there necessarily pushing religion down anyone's throat, but we are out there to let the troops know that someone cares about them and is available to them if they need someone just to listen. Its wonderful to see how much an encouraging word can mean to our folks.

Saturday I spent the afternoon visiting with families of children who have cancer. The base sponsors a special Christmas gathering for them every year complete with activities, plays, music, and of course Santa. There were loads of volunteers there giving their time to make it a special time for the kids and families from firefighters, security forces folks, pilots with some aircraft available to tour and so forth. It was a wonderful opportunity to not only support these families but to show appreciation for the airmen who so willingly gave of their time and efforts for them.

What Do Chaplains Do Anyway? Part 2

Chaplains Counsel People

Chaplains take care of people so they can take care of business. Often times that happens by listening and providing counsel to people. I cannot talk about any specific cases, as the Air Force grants total confidentiality to the person who counsels with a chaplain. You might say they own the entire conversation and it is theirs to do with as they will.

Counseling can take place in a variety of settings. Sometimes people walk into the chapel. Some make an appointment to come by the office. Sometimes conversations strike up in a work center, on a aircraft in flight, on a stretcher in the hospital and so forth. Conversations leading to counseling can take place just about anywhere. I've counseled people in my office, on the flight deck of a C-17, in the payload bay of a C-130, in the middle of a line to get food, and in jail.

Chaplains are about maintaining a "ministry of presence" in the Air Force. That means being out there with the troops. That means that where the troops are -- the chaplains are. I myself haven't been to the desert -- yet...but I will be.

Contact can occur in a variety of ways. Sometimes people will call up the chapel and just want to speak to who is available. Some call and make an appointment with who is available, some with the chaplain they know. Some are referred by unit commanders or brought by people who care. Others come on their own. And often conversations flow because a chaplain just stopped by to say hello.

And what can come up? I've had to comfort a soldier coming home from Iraq to visit his folks with the news that his father would likely pass that evening. I've prayed and listened to many of our wounded. I've talked to people wrestling with marriage and family issues. I've talked to people thinking about killing themselves. I've escorted a young man to the emergency room who thought he was being attacked by demons. I've encouraged young people to set and work for goals, to get an education, to strive for excellence and so forth. I've visited with people getting ready to go into harms way for extended periods of time away from their families and then talked with their families while they loved ones were away. And while I pray I never have the opportunity, our chaplains stand ready to comfort should any of our comrads in arms pay the ultimate price for the maintaining of our liberties.

Chaplains are there for the troops -- to listen, to counsel, to support and comfort. Where they are, we are.

What Do Chaplains Do Anyway? Part 1

Why have chaplains in the United States Military? From my perspective it's about what we do which I see as having two major interrelated dimensions. I am here to help meet the spiritual needs of our people. I am also here to provide support to help keep our troops fit to fight. Taking care of people so they can take care of business -- that's what we do.

So what kinds of things do chaplains do?

Chaplains Lead Worship

I list this activity first, not necessarily because it is the most important, but because it is the most typical and I suspect expected function.

Chaplains lead worship services for people of their faith group. For example, Catholic priests will provide worship and sacraments for Catholics, Protestant chaplains will provide services for protestant Christians, chaplains of other faiths will provide services for their traditions and so forth.

Don't think though that a worship service is an exclusive product of just the single chaplain. For one our chaplains are constantly busy today. We are often away for training or deployment. While a service may have a predominant leader, there are always backups ready to step up to the plate when the regular chaplain is called away to serve elsewhere. I typically lead the formal/liturgical service, but have filled in for a variety of other services as well.

In fact the team is wider than just the chaplains. There are the chaplain assistants, our enlisted folks, who take care of the facilities and have the various worship sites set up and ready to go each Sunday morning.

Then there are all the many volunteers who provide essential support to keep the services flowing. There are those who sing in choirs, provide musical accompaniment, run slide show presentations, monitor the sound systems, take care of flowers, keep up with annoucements and member news, and so forth.

And of course there are the many faithful attendees of the services. Active duty folks are often coming and going as changes in posts necessitate their moving. But each service often has a core of retired folks who play essential support roles in keeping the services going.

Worship communities are also busy reaching out to their wider community. For example, one major project operated by the chapel community at Andrews is the support of S.O.M.E (So That Others May Eat). This is a major project to feed the homeless in the Washington D.C. area. And this is just one of the major projects they support along with designated offerings for various support groups that are out there taking care of folks.

Taking care of folks -- that's what it is all about.

And our worship communities are reaching out to take care of our active duty folks as well with adopt-a-squadron initiatives. Activities and outreach events are targeted to active duty folks and especially the families of our forward deployed troops.

Chaplains are on the front lines of encouraging our worship communities to reach out with their gifts, talents, and resources to help take care of others -- in our Air Force community and our wider community.

One question comes up often in the context of worship: what kind of stuff can a chaplain say? I'll just state that during worship, people voluntarily come to the service of their preference according to their traditions. And so in the spirit of integrity, which is so important in our Air Force, I proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to my best understanding. Chaplains are here to accommodate the spiritual needs of people, and so I preach God's Word providing for those who have come to hear that Word of God.

Help on the way

Thursday I rose early while darkness still cloaked the base and donned my uniform to go out and provide encouragement to some very young men and women who are at this very moment reaching out to people devestated by hurricane Katrina. Work continues there, and Andrews people are right in the middle of it. I visited and prayed with some folks from one of my squadrons who volunteered to go forth into the midst of it all. Some are food service folks; there was even a mortuary support person. Brave, determined to make a difference, and young -- we sent them forth to represent our community and to help those who are beyond being able to just help themselves. Keesler AFB is testimony to what trained military professionals are able to do. They are still digging themselves out -- but already they are providing significant support to the people around them. And they are getting help from all over the Air Force. Some of our medical folks are there. Other bases have sent chaplain teams there to help people deal with the emotional trauma. READ more about it

This Sunday, our the worshipping community on base will take a collection that will specially earmarked for our brothers and sisters in arms at Keesler whose homes and possessions have been wiped out.

I am preparing for two significant events coming up for me personally. First my endorser, the representative of my church body who says yes - send Reedy, will visit with my chain of command. And secondly, I have been tasked with attending special training related to add to my counseling skills to hone them for a military environment later in September.

And Sunday, we remember 9-11. The horror, the heros, the cost, the struggle, and the call to honor those who serve and those who gave all. Pray for our airmen, our soldiers, our sailors, our marines, all who wear the uniform and go in harms way. Pray for safety and pray for peace.