Air Force chaplains join together for memorial service

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
  • Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) --  Air Force chaplains and chaplain's assistants from around the globe joined together beneath the spires of the Air Force Memorial here for a memorial and wreath-laying ceremony April 25.

The group of about 300 Airmen and civilians were in the national capital region to attend the Air Force Chaplains Summit. The service included both patriotic and religious songs, as well as readings from the Bible.

"It's an honor to be here amongst you again, those who go into combat unarmed, but never unprotected," said retired Maj. Gen. Bishop William Dendinger, who served as an Air Force chaplain for more than 30 years and retired in 2001 as chief of the Air Force Chaplain Service.

"My time in service ranged in all types of weather, from 130 degrees in Saudi Arabia to 50 degrees below zero at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska," he said.

Despite being in various geographical locations like the desert or in the mountains, the need for ministry amongst the troops was the one constant, Bishop Dendinger said. He recounted a piece of advice given to him by his superior shortly before he departed for a mission through Laos and Cambodia.

"I was told to take a bottle of Elmer's glue," he said, "so I could be reminded that ministry and faith was the glue that held my life and the lives of those around me together."

Air Force chaplains and chaplains assistants serve around the world, providing spiritual care and the opportunity for Air Force members and their families to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of religion. Chaplains are ordained clergy from diverse faith backgrounds as well as commissioned military officers. As clergy, chaplains conduct worship services, religious rites and pastoral counseling.

Chaplain assistants help the chaplains perform their duty, ranging from administrative help to being the chaplains 'eyes and ears' while on duty.

The service ended with a wreath-laying at the base of the memorial in honor and memory of Air Force chaplains and chaplains assistants who have served.

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