Keesler chaplains receive welcome additions Published Sept. 8, 2005 By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- For nine Air Force chaplains, providing ministry to Airmen recovering from Hurricane Katrina at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., is challenging.The chaplains and chaplain assistants there are working overtime, yet with the prospect of post-traumatic stress-related issues affecting troops and families, the need for spiritual guidance and reassurance is great, said Chaplain (Maj.) Timothy Butler, 81st Training Wing senior training group chaplain at Keesler. To ease the strain, the Air Force sent six chaplain teams from other bases to Keesler. A team consists of one chaplain and one chaplain assistant. The range of assistance they offer is large.“Everyone in the Air Force is focused on Keesler at the moment and we are getting great support,” Chaplain Butler said. “Having to sit in the ‘hot seat’ at this moment isn’t fun, but it is a privilege and I don’t feel like I’m doing it alone.”Having extra people around is not the only kind of support being given. Financial assistance from the Air Force chapel community has made its way south to help Air Force survivors.“More than $50,000 has been sent down to those bases affected by the hurricane,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Brett Oxman, who works budgeting issues for the Air Force Chief of Chaplains office at the Pentagon. He helps oversee the distribution of money from chaplain funds, as well as donations from around the Air Force. “Over the weekend, Hill Air Force Base, (Utah), alone raised $12,375, while Moody Air Force Base, (Ga.), raised $1,750. That was just from passing around the plate during weekend services,” Chaplain Oxman said. “The Air Force’s chapel communities are being very generous and making sure our fellow Airmen and families are being taken care of.”Some of the money was used to purchase Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift certificates for evacuees at Maxwell AFB, Ala., while other funds were used to purchase new supplies for the chaplain staff at Keesler.“Many of our professional buildings were flooded, ravaged by the wind or crushed by trees,” Chaplain Butler said. Though the base was without power for almost a week, he said the lack of awareness actually helped keep people’s hope and faith high.“I think all of us might have been overwhelmed if we had seen the extent of the devastation,” he said. “The Air Force takes care of its members, so the 6,006 people who sheltered on base were all safe, always had food and water, and auxiliary power in the shelters to keep some lights on.”He said he is thankful for all the help his staff and others at Keesler have received, and he is inspired by the strength that has come to light during the disaster.“I think our Airmen and their families are resilient,” he said. “Of course, there are always going to be those whose faith is tested in moments like this. However, in my experience, there’s a deep awareness of God’s presence with us, and a deep sense of support from the prayers of all those reaching out to us.”He said he is most proud of his staff and those helping.“Most of my staff are new to active duty and have never been through anything like this before,” Chaplain Butler said. “Yet they are shining at this moment of testing and doing chapel service proud. Taking care of them so they can take care of others is a big part of my job right now. They are taking care of me, too.”