Chief of chaplains celebrates National Prayer Dinner at Grand Forks

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jessica Tait
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) --  The Air Force chief of chaplains spoke at the National Prayer Dinner Gala, "Celebrating Courage through the Dark Times," here Jan. 21.

The National Prayer event is sponsored by the U.S. Senate and House Prayer Groups.

"Every year, bases all around the country and even overseas have National Prayer events," said Staff Sgt. Jacqulyn Owens, of the 319th Air Refueling Wing chapel staff. "This year we elected to have a dinner to honor (Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson's)  theme of courage and trouble."

The theme "Celebrating Courage through the Dark Times," was emphasized through video interviews of Airmen who have experienced misfortune in their lives.

"There are folks in this wing that have gone through cancer, marital issues, long deployments, disciplinary issues, rifts and all sorts of dark times," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gerald Snyder, of the 319th Air Refueling Wing chapel staff. "So the idea is to celebrate the courage we have among us and to share that with those who have already gone through, or will be going through, the dark times."

Chaplain Richardson addressed the audience with words and wisdom about prayer and praying for our nation.

"Trips like these really lift my spirits and give me a chance to get away from the Pentagon," Chaplain Richardson said. "I have been to every base in the Air Force, so after a while you begin to realize that geography really isn't the issue, it all comes down to people and what people need is to be encouraged. We have a lot of fragile people and they really need encouragement."

The gala featured prayer readings from a myriad of faith groups to provide an all-encompassing event for the base. It was an opportunity for Airmen to get dressed up in their cocktail attire, socialize and listen to the live music of Johnny Holliday.

"It's great to get together in an informal atmosphere where you get to introduce people by their first name and not by their rank," said 1st Lt. Jonathan Barnes, of the 319th Air Refueling Wing Contracting Squadron. "Even tonight, I have met a lot of people that I don't think I ever would have. On a base this small it is great to know as many people as possible."