Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

'PARTMENT OF THE ARMY/ Office of the Chief of ChaplainsWashington 25, D. C.Religion In The Army: Program In EachInstallation As Complete as ThatFound in Average CivilianCommunity, Chief of Chaplains Reports.It is extremely difficult to present objective statistical information about asubject aslife of Armysentingintangible as the religiouspersonnel aside from prefigures on chapel attendancewhich, while impressive, tell only a smallpart of the story of the Army's programof religious trainingand character development.If I had the opportunity to speak personally to the men and women enteringthe service and to their parents, there aretwo things I would be most interested inemphasizing: In the first place, I wouldtell them that religion isan acceptedpart of Army life. The religious programon the average military installation is ascomplete as that found in the typicalAmerican civilian community. In addition to Sabbath worship services, itincludes religious instruction, the administration of rites and sacraments, choirsinging and other forms of church music,Schools and Bible Classes andSundayanyother related church activity forwhich a chaplain sees a need. The religious program of each installation is theresponsibilityof the Commanding Officer, and, I am happy to be able to report, that this program has the fullestcommand support from the top level tothe smallest unit in the field.Mysecond point is that there is nothing inherent to Army life to discourageparticipation in religious activities. As amatter of fact,except for emergencysituations, there is no need for any youngman or woman on dutywith the Armyto forgo any of the religious activities heor she enjoyed in civilian life. These activities are available,courages participation.and the ArmyenOne important phase of the chaplain'swork which, it seems to me, is never appreciated as it should be, is his role ofcounsellor. It is something of a bywordin the Armywith ato advise anyone struggling.problem to "See theChaplain!"Few people, however, realize the incredlarge variety of problems that isiblybrought to the chaplainproblems ranging from serious family affairs, adjustment to Army life, and pre-marriagecounselling to arranging for emergencyleave and how quietly but surely heworks to aid in their solution and maintain the morale of the troops entrusted tohis care.144The chaplain also plays a major rolein the Army's Character Guidance program and isstaff of every commander.a valued adviser on theThe moral tone of the Army is good.The troops are respondingto our program. Participation in religious activitiesis completely voluntary. It is, therefore,a source of satisfaction to be able to report that large numbers of our personnel have voluntarily turned to the chaplain for guidance and instruction.During the month of April 1954, thelast month for which statistics have beencompiled, 1,818,209 persons attended religious services conducted by Armychaplains while an additional 214,702persons attended services conducted byvisiting clergymen. During the samemonth 783,080 .persons attended Character Guidance Discussion periods and222,930 participated in our program ofreligious education.The Army recently opened its first Retreat House in Germany. This facilitywill make it possible for us to holdthree-day retreats for as manyas 100persons at a time. Retreats will be scheduled for Protestant, Roman Catholicand Jewish personnel. While wehaveheld retreats in the past, this is the firsttime the Army has set upment expressly for this purpose.an establishIn many installations the men themselves have organized projects to furtherthe religious program. In Fort Eustis,for example, a Spiritual Council wasrecently organized with voluntary members to further the religious life of theFort. In another installation, the menvoluntarily got together for a brief discussion period on subjects pertaining toreligion and morals.The tremendous outpouring of charityby our troops on behalf of the victims ofwar-torn countries is probably the mostoutstandingindication of religion in action. No accurate figure has been published to indicate the vast amount ofmoney contributed by American servicepersonnel for these less fortunate people,and no figure could approach the truth,since there is no way to account for theuntold man-hours of work devoted tobuilding churches, schools, hospitals, andorphanages and in collecting clothing andother supplies needed. Dr. Joseph R.Sizoo, of the George Washington University, Washington, D. C, summed itall up, when upon returning from a tripto Korea late in 1952, he said:"Our Army is an Army of compassion! Our soldiers are real soldiers ofcompassion. Wherever they go in Korea and Japan, they recognize humanneed and misery and suffering and doall they can to relieve men, womenand children of this misfortune. Hospital care for amputees,orphanagesandfoundling homes for lost children;clothes, medicine, shelter, food for refugees; new schools of all grade levelshave risen through the gifts and laborsof our soldiers. What are they? Soldiers of compassion!"Upon his return to the United Statesafter visiting American troops in Koreaduring Christmas last year, CardinalSpellman declared:"The Korean picture implanted onmy heart is the faces of the soldierslooking intently at the altar and atme, the priest. They were eager, listening, almost hungry faces of menwith souls that were close to God."I am proud of the men and women inthe Army and I am proud of the chaplains of all faiths who serve loyally withour troops wherever they may be stationed. Theirs is a heavy responsibilityand their accomplishments add anotherglowing chapter to the historyof thechaplaincy which on July 29 celebratesits 179th anniversary.A THANKFFUL DONORGIVEN FERST AIDAfter John Davis, a Midland Collegesophmore at Fremont, Nebraska, haddonated a pint of blood to the DodgeCounty bloodmobile unit,the usual cup of fruit juice and a sandwich.he receivedJohn, a pre-theology student, bowedhis head in thanksgiving, before eatingthe food. Nurses, thinking he was fainting, grabbed him and had him stretchedon a cot before he could explain thathe was thanking the Lordout!not passingIt is not surprising that the nursesthought as they didfor the sight ofa person in a public place with bowedhead silently thanking God for food isa rare sight indeed.It is to the shame of Christians thatsuch is the case. Have you ever seensuch a sight?A better question still have youever given thanks silently for food ina public place, such as a restaurant,hotel or hospital? If not, why not?"Giving thanks always for all thingsunto God and the Father in the nameof our Lord Jesus Christ" is what weare enjoined to do (Ephesians 5:20).NowTHE COVENANTER WITNESS