United Methodist Chaplain John R. Read (left) serves as the deputy command chaplain for the Multi National Corps - Iraq.
United
Methodist Chaplain John R. Read (left) poses with Australian chaplain
Hayden Swinborn during their duty in Iraq. Read serves as the deputy
command chaplain for the Multi National Corps - Iraq. A UMNS photo
courtesy of Chaplain John R. Read. Photo number 04-228, 6/17/04
Here
I am, again, serving in a war zone. The last time I did this was as a
patriot battalion chaplain in Saudi Arabia 12 years ago. I was medically
evacuated and diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia on May 26,
1992. I am farther north this time and, at times, feel that I am right
in the middle of a hornet’s nest.
I
returned to active duty from medical retirement in November 1994. Two
promotions later, I now serve as the deputy command chaplain for the
Multi National Corps – Iraq. We are the senior war fighting operational
organization in this part of the world. We are 135,000 strong. We are
primarily America’s daughters and sons. We are Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines and Coast Guard.
We
have no less that 40 other nations who are here serving with us. We
have approximately 250 chaplains of all faith groups and nations as well
as a comparable number of enlisted chaplain assistants.
It is the most incredibly rich and rewarding worship experience.
Imagine worship that not only includes U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and
Marines, but also includes British, Dutch, Australian, Korean and
Japanese troops, as well as civilians and contractors. It is phenomenal
experience—one of the best of my career.
I
also do a lot of counseling, no surprise -- everything from folks with
simple kinds of adjustment issues to very complex emotional and
relational problems. I serve on the repatriation team as the chaplain,
which meant that I got to spend some time with Thomas Hamill a few weeks
ago. (Hamill, a native of Macon, Ga., was held as a hostage in Iraq.)
Another definite highlight!
I
guess if I had to sum it up in a nutshell, the religious and spiritual
support we offer in this environment is designed to normalize this
anything but normal experience. I am proud to be a United Methodist Army
Chaplain, and I am proud to come from the Illinois Great Rivers Annual
Conference. I am proud to be an American, more proud than I have ever
been and I hope you are as well.
It
is my great calling, responsibility and joy to shepherd this particular
flock. It is one of the reasons I was spared an early death 12 years
ago. These young folks, and even a few of us older ones, are our
country’s daughters and sons. We are fighting this war on terror for
you. If terror wins here, it will win other places as well, and that is
the enemy’s plan.
Whether
you agree with the war or not, or even the present administration in
this election year, please pray for us. We continue to take casualties,
both killed in action and wounded in action.
A
final note, pray for our families as well. My wonderful and incredible
wife and best friend, Laura, has made it easier for me to do this by the
support she has always provided. They go through a different kind of
war, waiting and hoping.
*Read is a United Methodist Army chaplain serving in Iraq.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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