Chaplain goes south of the Equator for Easter

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Corinna Jones
  • 552nd Air Control Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFPN) --  Deployed members of the 552nd Air Control Wing could not attend Easter services in Oklahoma this year, so the base took Easter Sunday to them.

Chaplain (Capt.) Mike Curtis of the 72nd Air Base Wing here deployed to South America to provide Easter services for troops who do not have a chaplain assigned to them.

“To help them grow spiritually really does help them to see the hope that is so necessary to living day-to-day in a deployed environment,” Chaplain Curtis said.

A number of services were held, including the traditional Easter sunrise service.

“Many were grateful because a sunrise service on Easter morning is a tradition they are used to. We were able to read the Easter story, (offer) some prayer and some singing, as well as a celebration of the Lord's Supper,” he said. “A number of troops participated in the service, from helping with the music to reading scriptures.”

When 552nd ACW members deploy to South America in support of counter-drug operations, off-base church services are not an option in some locations. The 72nd ABW chaplains work to overcome this situation by keeping track of deployed Airmen and their spiritual needs, and sending a chaplain as often as possible. The troops currently deployed had not had an organized church service in six weeks, so Chaplain Curtis was a welcome sight.

“We have Airmen going places where it is very difficult for us to see to their spiritual needs because the places they go do not have a chaplain. Some troops gather to discuss the Bible and other spiritual topics, but that is one of the difficulties at this location,” he said. “So, part of taking care of Airmen is to go there and help them exercise their freedom of religion and make sure they are able to do that wherever they are.”

Though Chaplain Curtis is assigned to the 72nd ABW, he’s responsible for seeing to the spiritual needs of the 552nd ACW operations group and deploys with them as needed.

“Many counseling sessions involve relationship issues, spiritual questions -- just stuff that people deal with on deployments. It gets all compressed down until the week that I show up,” he said. “Then they’ll come back home and I’m able to help them continue to work through any problems.”

Chaplain Curtis said the payoff is priceless.

“They end up thinking, ‘OK, there’s a person who really does care about me because (he or she was) willing to come see us and help get our life back together,” he said.

This deployment is a first for 1st Lt. George Eldridge, an intelligence officer with the 965th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron.

“I didn't think about the holiday until I heard (the chaplain) was coming. If he wasn't here, I wouldn't have done anything (for Easter),” he said. “It’s great to be able to take a break and work out spiritually. We can go to the gym 24/7, but not church. I like being able to worship in a way that is similar to home.”

The detachment commander, Maj. Brad Roller of the  965th EAACS, requested that Chaplain Curtis come during Easter to do an inter-faith Easter worship service and provide counseling sessions. Major Roller said having a chaplain visit helps troops focus on the big picture.

“They need to be rejuvenated and refreshed to continue, and after a month and a half, it helps to have that spiritual focus. It helps to put minds in perspective, to see the grander scheme of life,” he said. “Behaviorally, it is like your mom coming. People tend to behave better when the chaplain is around as well. When they know they are taken care of, and their families are taken care of, they can do their job without distraction.”

Chaplain Curtis said freedom of religion is important, regardless which belief. Chaplains are dedicated to help take care of every Airman’s spiritual needs and exercise this freedom, he said. The chaplaincy also is dedicated to helping Airmen find other avenues for those who do not wish to attend services.