Retirement Ceremony in honor of Chaplain (Colonel) Jonathan E. Shaw


Retirement Ceremony in Honor of Chaplain (Colonel) Jonathan E. Shaw Director of Operations/Strategic
Office of the Chief of Chaplains. Hosted by Chaplain (MG) Thomas L. Solhjem.
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Transcript

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen and honored guests. My name is Chaplain Major Graham Glover, and it is my distinct privilege to welcome each of you to the Pentagon’s Paul of Heroes This morning with the retirement ceremony of Chaplin Colonel Jonathan E. Shaw. This will happen after over 39 years off dedicated service to his country. The host of our ceremony this morning is Chaplain Major General Thomas L. Soldier, Chief of Chaplains, United States Army. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the entrance of the official party, the national anthem which we will sing in unison followed by the invocation given by Chaplin Colonel Mark Knuckles on you see by the Dawn’s early E What so proudly last me, Who’s up strikes item? Bright stars for the round part me What were so gallantly streaming on the rockets? Right, I’m on first sing in. It broke through the night that are thank Waas Still there? Oh, say, does that star spangled way on the off with grain, Right? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit a men merciful God in heaven, we give thanks and praise for the gift of your servant, Jonathan and Brenda For the time that we have been able to spend with them as fellow comrades, co workers, colleagues and friends here among the military. Bless them both as they move on to this next chapter in their life and we pray with the church, entrust your days and burdens the gods most loving hand. He cares for you while ruling the sky the see the land For he who guides the tempest along their thunderous ways. We’ll find for you a pathway and guide you all your days. Rely on God your savior and find your life secure. Make his work your foundation that your work may endure. No anxious thought, no worry, no self tormenting care can win your father’s favor. His heart is moved by prayer. Our hands and feet Lord strengthen with joy Our spirits bless until we see the ending of all our lives distress. And so, throughout our lifetime keep us within your care and at our end. Then bring us to heaven to praise you there. Jesus Christ, your son, our lord who lives and reigns with you when the Holy Spirit one God now and forever. Oh, man. Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated on behalf of Chaplin and Mrs Shaw, I’d like to welcome some very special guests here this morning. First is Mrs Brenda Shaw. Always first. Suzy Shaw, the Shaw, his daughter, Christie Shaw, their other daughter. Captain Jonathan E. Shaw. The second there, son. And my favorite Shaw, the Reverend Doctor. Colonel James Shaw, United States Army retired, sir. What a joy to see you this morning. We also have here this morning. Uh, Reverend Christopher s get pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia, on the fifth vice president of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Senate Chaplain Shaw’s ecclesiastical endorsing agency. Also Reverend Doctor Burnell Eckhart and his wife, Carol. Friends from Illinois Reverend Dr Karl Fabrizi, us and his wife, Darcy. Friends from Wisconsin. Rev. Dr Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Barbie, U. S Army retired and his wife, Cindy, friends from Pennsylvania Tech Sergeant John Eckert and his wife, Alyssa, from Andrews Air Force Base. Mr. Fritz Pauling, Chaplain shawls 5th and 6th grade teacher. We have you to blame for its at Emmanuel Lutheran Church and Alexandria, Virginia, Also to all of the Shaws colleagues and friends. Welcome. This morning your presence here is greatly appreciated. Today we experience one of the oldest ceremonies in the United States military steeped in rich tradition that honor service members as they retire from distinguished careers and service to their country and recognizes those who have played a vital role in shaping that career. To the retiring this ceremony is one of the most memorable events in his career. Today’s ceremony is in keeping with the customs and proud traditions of the Department of the Army, and as a result of the retirement ceremony, the retiree leaves the service with a tangible expression of appreciation for his contributions to the defense of this nation. Additionally, he is assured that he will continue to be a member of the Army family. Even in retirement. This morning, we honor Chaplain Colonel Jonathan E. Shaw and his wife, Brenda. Ladies and gentlemen, this time it gives me great pleasure to welcome Reverend Christopher s gets, as I noted, the pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia, on the fifth vice presidents of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Senate Chaplain Shaw’s ecclesiastical endorsing agency Pasteurized. Yeah. Okay. Thank you very much. Chaplain Glover being a pastor at Manual Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia, is a wonderful, wonderful, joyous experience, not least because of the incredible people that you get to serve. Chaplain Shaw is one of those incredible people, as is his wife, Brenda. Uh, just a today’s today’s about Chaplin Shaw. But Brenda, I want to say, has always been right along with him and at one of the one of the lowest moments in my life. Uh huh, Brenda, after we’d experienced a personal tragedy, Brenda said to me, We love you and are hurting for you. And that simple statement said with love, um was something that it felt like it saved my life and the heavens opened for me. Um, so you are very, very dear people to me personally and to our church, going all the way all the way back as we heard Thio Jonathan’s childhood at at our church. But the truth is, is that when I first met Chaplin Shaw, I found the whole experience rather intimidating. After all, this is the man who, at our beloved Almer mater, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. This is the man who every January presents an award called The Saber of boldness. Now, for those of you who are pure and righteous, I won’t point out what else those initials could possibly stand for. But it does involve a real sword. And not only that, he would bring an entire theological library to my Sunday morning Bible classes, and he would inflict deep wounds on me in other ways, such as when we played foosball. Chaplain Shaw is an intense man, and he brings that intensity to every area of his life. He is no one to be trifled with, but it’s not simply because of his personality type or his many accomplishments. Those who worked with him will attest that on occasion he will say, It’s true. It’s true. Well, that’s simple phrase sums up why we in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, Love, Jonathan Shaw and all our chaplains. It’s the radical commitment to the truth, to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom alone is the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection of the dead. To be faithful to this calling while respecting the pluralistic context of the army, requires a keen mind and dedication and love. To know Chaplain Shaw is to know of his love for the army, his love for his family, his love for the truth, his love for Christ Jesus and also his love for the Elizabethan language and the Lutheran hymn Jonathan, You’ve been nothing but a friend to me and my family and encouragement to the men of our church. A servant to our country and a shining example to the ministerial, um, of the Lutheran Church. So on behalf of the Missouri Synod, I say to you, Chaplain Shaw well done. Good and faithful servant. I think you thank you, Pastor. Escape. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, please welcome our host for today’s ceremony. United States Army Chief of Chaplains Chaplain Major, General Thomas L. Soldiers. Ditto. Uh huh, What you said, and amen. That concludes my remarks. So this is a great day. And, uh, Robin, thank you for being here as well. Suzanne appreciate members of the chapel core family. We were mindful today of size of audience and staying within the thresholds of the Pentagon. But there’s more celebration to follow. Eso uh, this is a postponed How many times over event? Fourth time. So we’re finally going across the threshold after being teased if you will, uh, in this Kobe environment to get to a place where one can actually transition. I don’t like the word retirement. This is what do we call the ceremony? But it’s really a transition into what God now has for you Next. Um, and in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and those doors that will open up for the shots. So we have family in the room. We have family outside the room. Um and, uh and we have four generations president today. Think about that. And such a military heritage and lineage. Um, father, Son, chaplain team. Um, a son who may be a grandson who may be contemplating that I don’t know what all is in your future, but there’s still hope for you and we are recruiting way are in the business of recruiting shamelessly all the time, but about Thio go into Ranger school on dso proud. I know the family is of all of you. I’m and your family and the seventh perfect number, right? Perfect number of seven Children. And so today is a special day, and it’s there’s some things that I want to just highlight. Today I’m gonna talk about the family some but the extension of time of a life devoted to serving. Right. So I don’t know about before 1974. But there’s not many of us left who served or were entered into the Army. You have a deems date before July of 1975. There are very few. I believe that probably the only ones that still exist that I am aware of. Our three are in the chaplain corps. One is outside, and I’m one of those three. You are the other, but retiring you today. So that world that I live in is shrinking very, very rapidly. So a whole generation of people are no longer standing in our formation. We’ve kind of reached that tipping point, but a father who served the country and in the Korean conflict, Korean War, Um, and a life of service to the nation as a chaplain, as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, um, and And to see the legacy and a family present here today, if we could just bring the whole crew in, you know, you’d see a legacy of service. So thank you, Dad. Grandpa. Um well, thank you for that correction. See that exactness that comes out of the show? It’s just been us again. Like father, like son or like son, like father. Absolutely right. I stand corrected on, admonished duly. So. So just think of that portrait, the tapestry of God’s providence that he painted over time over generations. And it’s yet chapters unwritten in the future. So what a testament to God’s grace, God’s goodness, God’s love, as seen through the tapestry of a family devoted service. And just so you have context today, um, I know that we have a lot of Missouri Senate Lutherans here, but I was raised a L C. On the way. I see life is, you know, once Luther, it’s kind of like being a Marine or a soldier. Once Marine, once a soldier, always a soldier once, Luther. And it’s in your DNA. Eso You also have context further my father’s family and that they came. They fled from Norway for religious persecution reasons. They were clergy. They were ministers, they were evangelists. Uh, they were lay ministers, and they could no longer serve in the capacity. When they went to a state church, they no longer recognized their credentials or ordination askew. Well know the history on DSO. They came to this country and they didn’t come for prosperity primarily. But they came for religious freedom, the right to exercise one’s faith in a free place and something else. Uh and I’m not making this about me today, but it’s this common thread that we share. That’s the important part. The very first thing of structure of substance that they built was not their homes was not even there. Barnes. They had side hurts. What they built first and foremost, was a place of worship. The lumber that was brought in was not, they would never have thought of not building the house of worship. As the Scriptures say, you have homes. But where do I reside? So the priority that is pen passed on through the legacy of the heritage and my family of that Lutheran tradition. So I share all that today to say I have a fun affection and connection to those gathered here today. We’re products of the Reformation one and all. And so the I had a few moments to sit and talk to the family, and this is an interesting thing here, so going back to back to Jonathan Service beginning in 74 then, um, coming back in in 1981. Onda ultimately back again. Full time is the chaplain in 88. So we share another common data point a zit. We were both came on active duty in the same year. Andi have served together over those years together. Eso that longstanding connection that we share Onda. I’m gonna talk about the family in a moment, but I want to go back to the pain that you described earlier. So? So the good news is Jonathan Shaw’s on the team. The bad news is, Jonathan Shaw is a so the exacting nature of his personality to get things perfect right is necessary for an organization to succeed. It is, however, if you are the recipient a painful exercise, and you quickly realize who the smartest person in the room isn’t. It’s not yourself on, De. So I say that we say that jokingly, anybody. If I were to say the name Jonathan shot anyone, they would have that reaction. But it would be loving because we know what Jonathan has contributed to the chaplain corps over all of those years and we enjoy today. Not only the legacy that we live and extend as we live are calling for gotten country, but what he has contributed to make the organization be able to come to a place of transformation, which I don’t have time to talk about today. But this is a significant, uh, time in our history. There are epochs of time that we recognize that we’re nation, our military are going through major changes, and the chaplaincy needs to be in step with those changes. Jonathan has trooped us through a season of huge change. Probably I would say that you could point back to the seventies, and frankly, you could point back to Chapman Arnold in World War Two. Not have we gone to the depths of transformation and change within our army because we’re at that were at that window where there’s a tectonic shift, if you will in our focus and this is an unclassified retirement ceremony, so we won’t go there. But we are at that tipping point. Jonathan could see that and set in motion strategy that guides us and will guide us into the future unknown. So thank you on behalf of the Chaplain corps for being our teacher. Our mentor, our coach intellectually on dispirit Chua Li. Over these many years, you have our respect. And you have our admiration for what you’ve done for us. For the army, for the chaplain corps. I look at Jonathan and he could have gone to any branch and Excel. Could have gone. Engineer could have gone here. Could’ve gone there. You could. It was It was a blank check. But God called you to serve him first and foremost and honorably is the chaplain United States Army. And you didn’t do this Well, So now I want to shift to the family. The most important part Jonathan’s got his due. Um, but, uh, but it’s his family. I mean, the team of five a zit started, and now it’s extended. It’s grown on, de. So when I had the opportunity to speak to them for a few moments, I always ask a family leaving our service. Okay, what’s the most rewarding aspect of your service and what’s the most challenging and you’ve just confirmed today in your answer what I’ve gotten for most families and it’s the ying and the yang the reward and the challenge of the same. The reward is the opportunity to meet people from across our nation who have accepted the call to serve country together in various communities, in various organizations, in various places. The Shaws have moved 23 times in 40 years of marriage. They are encroaching, approaching that big number this December 27th on De so that family has picked up. And so as we were in my office and this is an intimate moment, this was not confident, confidential or privileged. And if you thought it was, I’m sorry. But in in the context of sharing, um, and describing the connection that they felt towards people the affinity, the love they had for friends, to the degree the person unnamed. I won’t disclose the name of a certain daughter in the family who sought to alleviate the PCs moved by gluing herself to her friend with Elmer’s glue so they would never be separated. That is the picture of the deep connection and devotion that we feel to the people that served with us in time. What a what? A portrait. What a beautiful statement. Thank you for that. I’m gonna use that in the future. Elmer’s glue. It works well, I don’t know, but at least it was painful in the separation. That’s another part of it, right? Onda? The connection that you feel eso the greatest joy or the reward is the people that you meet along the way. And then you get to serve as you’ve so eloquently stated, and the direct impact of your ministry on people, as a family and as individuals. Each of you is profound, and only eternity will reveal the full extent of that impact. But we don’t look for our reward here. We live to serve here, and we trust him for the reward that were from that day future for all of us who believe so. I want to thank the family for the opportunity just to spend a few moments. What a great great lineage heritage. What a what a proud moment, um, for the family to honor, um generationally but specifically Jonathan and Brenda today in this ceremony for their lifelong service, frankly, to the nation on do do it as a family. All those moves all those moments of heartbreak and then re connection with the next group I bring it up? Because every family I’ve talked to is typically that’s the response. Um, and I know it’s true of my own family as well. Eso on behalf of everyone that’s here today, both in person and those of you that virtually are very special guests who have come from various and sundry prices from across our nation. Thank you for being here. Thank you for making this day special for the sauce in this covert environment, I mean, you really have to think about traveling in this environment. Am I willing to assume the risk of airports and other things to get somewhere? So thank you for your willingness to be here today to make this day in their lives very special. And I will close with this. Jonathan, we may tease you. Um, we may have joked, but I can honestly say thank you for being a man of character, extreme competence and commitment. Um, you emulate and you exude in your desire to serve as a chaplain the very best that our core has to offer. You have served the chap, the Army, the chaplain, corps, and me personally, without exception in a way that is simply astounding. An amazing to watch. So I am blessed and think. I think I’m a better person. I’m a better chief because of people like you and Brenda. I know Jill would echo those sentiments. You’re the quintessential person. You exemplify the very best. It’s a shared calling. All the hardships, all the difficulties, all the things they become in turn your greatest joy and reward. Um, and life is about suffering. Life is about accepting painful realities, and not everything has been pleasant. But you’ve been faithful, Brenda straight along the way. And you’ve kept the spirit of joy in your countenance. Just as we were walking here today, Um, I was having a conversation with Brenda, just exuding, you know, the experiences of serving together. So thank you for what you exemplify as a couple. Thank you for what you exemplify as a family. This is This is an awesome day. I am honored and humbled to be just a participant and observing what God has done through you and will continue to do through you in the future. Thank all of you for being here today again. And thank you for those of you who are dialed in virtually May God richly bless the Shaw family, as we now honor them in this ceremony today, with the things that accompany a transition from military life to God’s calling in other pastures in other seasons of endeavor. God bless you. Yeah, I stopped when I get out of here. So we’re going to observe. This is the unrehearsed moment, which the rest of the ceremony will be unrehearsed because we can’t. We didn’t rehearse it. So we will do things slowly, methodically and correctly based on protocols in this building. Okay, so there we will have photo opportunities. Ask your patients because we’re gonna have to get the right degree of separation so that we can get a picture that you would be honored to look at in the future and not a face full of not a picture full of mass. Okay, so we’re gonna figure that out. We’re gonna do it the right way. Eso that we adhere to the protocols in this building, in the building, the standard of 6 ft. We’ll maintain that standard, and we’ll do things the right way. Okay. Yeah, Okay. We’ll print that you come forward, sir. Do you want Brenda to come forward at this time? Okay, Brenda, Your your area. Yes, sir. Brenda, come on. Stand beside Chapman. Shot. Ladies and gentlemen, we will begin with the retirement award. The Chaplain Shaw will receive. Please remain seated during the publication of this order. To all who shall see these presents Greetings. This is to certify that the President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress 20 July 1942 has awarded the Legion of Merit to Chaplin. Colonel Jonathan E. Shaw, Office of the Chief of Chaplains for exceptionally meritorious service, concluding a 39 year military career serving as director of operations for the United States Army Chaplain, Corps Headquarters, Department of the Army and Strategic Advisor to the chief of Chaplains In a time of persistent conflict. Chaplain shawls, Sterling leadership, Strategic vision and spiritually care Empowered Chaplain Corps transformation, Strengthening people and community. Chaplain Shaw’s exceptional performance of duty is in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him. The Chaplain corps and the United States Army signed Thomas L Soldier um, chaplain, major general, US Army chief of chaplains, looking taking my ask off, I guess. Just hold it. Smile. Chaplain, Soldier will now present Chaplain Shaw a copy of his retirement orders, his retirement certificates and his retirement pen. Department of the Army US Army Human Resource is Command Jonathan E. Shaw, Chaplain, Colonel, Office of the Chief of Chaplains Effective 30 June 2020. You are retired from active duty and placed on the retired list. The people of the United States expressed their thanks and gratitude for your faithful service. Your contributions to the defense of the United States of America are greatly appreciated by order of the Secretary of Army Chaplain. Soldier will now present a certificate of appreciation to Chaplin Shaw from the president of the United States. The certificate reads for service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Chaplain Jonathan Shaw I extend to you my personal thanks and the sincere appreciation of a grateful nation for your contribution of honorable service to our country. You have helped helped maintain the security of the nation during a critical time in its history, with the devotion to duty and a spirit of sacrifice. In keeping with the proud traditions of military service, I trust that in the coming years you will maintain an active interest in the armed forces and the purpose for which you served. Those who follow in your footsteps will draw inspiration from your commitment, Dedication and sacrifice is made to ensure the protection of our American freedoms. My best wishes to you for happiness and success in the future. Signed President Donald J. Trump, Commander in Chief Chaplain Soldier will now present a letter signed by the Secretary of the Army, Colonel Jonathan Shaw. Thank you to you and your family for many years of dedicated service and commitment to our nation. Onley 17% of all soldiers who joined the army preserved persevere until retirement. Please accept our congratulations for reaching this personal milestone. As you transition to the next chapter of your life, you will represent the army in your community and maybe the only connection to the military many people ever have. Our challenge to you is toe higher and inspire hire veterans if you can or refer them to positions you know about inspire those with whom you interact to serve or support those that do most of all, tell your army story what led you to serve in the positive impact the army had on you. Sign Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretary of the Army. So on that note, just everyone recognizes the top Big Three sign. Chief of staff of the Army. General McConville, Secretary of the Army McCarthy and Sergeant Major of the Army. Brinson all sign that on Another comment I would make is you never know where your journey is gonna take you right along the way. And having been a chaplain in that formation and recognizing that the lives that you touched often become a senior leadership or military, you just never know the contact that you’re gonna have with people where their journey is gonna lead them. And so that to me, recognition of our people first strategy in the recognition of our Army senior leadership. And thanks to Jonathan. So it was more than just Secretary McCarthy was our senior leadership as well. Sir. Yes, sir. Chaplain, Soldier will now present a certificate, letter and pen from the chaplain corps. The letter reads, Dear Chaplain Shaw, your retirement this year brings to a close your long and distinguished career as an army chaplain. We who remain in service lose from our ranks a servant of God whose dedication greatly enhanced the role of the United States Army Chaplain Corps. The many honors awards and service medals you have received are the tangible proof of your devoted service to God and the men and women who defend our country through your sacred ministry. You have eased pain, enhanced the quality of life and facilitated the spiritual growth of innumerable service members and their families. It is a privilege to present you the chaplain seal retirement plan and certificate of retirement as an expression of our appreciation and gratitude for your years of selfless service. I am confident that in the years that lie ahead, you will continue to be a great service. As a strong supporter of the Chaplain corps, I look forward to our continued collegiality and friendship through a shared involvement in one of our professional associations. May God bless you and yours as you leave us to enter a new phase of your ministry. Sincerely, Thomas L. Soldier, Chaplain, Major general, US Army chief of chaplains. Just so you know, yesterday I had a virtual meeting with Regimental Association on told them about today. So they will be calling you Brenda. It’s your turn at this time. Chaplain Soldier will now present Mrs Brenda Shaw with the Chaplain Corps Distinguished Spouse Award for exceptionally meritorious service, inspirational leadership and dynamic teen building. Over 39 years from 1981 to 2020 for the sheer joy of helping others, Mrs Brenda Shaw cheerfully demonstrated God’s care wherever she saw the need. First and foremost, she nurtured her own family and faith, hope and love, reaching out to neighbors units in the broader community. She strengthened souls led and taught in chapel programs, spouse groups, marriage prep, strong bonds, family support groups, Army family team building, the spouse, pre command course personality and leadership seminars. Facilitating leadership and groups skills contributed to the Chaplain Corps Spouse Handbook and served a senior chaplain spouse at the U. S. Army Combined Arms Center, the U. S. Army War College, U. S Army, Europe and Office of the Chief of Chaplains. Mrs. Shaw’s exceptional service help the Chaplain Corps achieve its religious support mission, greatly enhanced Army community and reflect great credit upon her. The chaplain corps in the United States Army given under my hand this 28th day of October 2020. Signed Thomas L. Soldier, Chaplain, Major general, US. Army chief of chaplains. Couldn’t hear the regimental sergeant. Major says for crying out loud. What happened? You done so that this think of as that was being read. Think of the level of commitment that that takes on devotion for people at F one throughout our army. So thank you, Brenda. These little accolades. And as I mentioned to her, we’re in the process of revising a medallion to accompany that reward. That award eso, um, at some date in the future, you can expect a visitor to Fort Wayne, Indiana, presented to you in person. This is not something we put them. Okay, so we’ll figure it out. Date to be determined. Thank you. Let’s give it up for a We’re not done yet with you, Brenda. Nor should we be Chaplain. Soldier will now present Mr Shaw with the certificate of appreciation from the chief of staff of the Army. To all who shall see these presents. Greetings. This is to certify that Mrs Brenda L. Shaw, on the occasion of the retirement of your spouse from the United States Army has earned grateful appreciation for your own unselfish, faithful and devoted service. Your unfailing support and understanding helped to make possible your spouse’s lasting contribution to the nation. Signed James C. McConville, General United States Army Chief of staff. This’ll evening at a dinner with the Shaws and family and friends. Mrs Jill Soldier will present Brenda with the certificate of appreciation and pendant from the chief of chaplains. Brenda, that will be given to you this evening, Mr Shaw, The floor is yours. Okay. If e feel very humbled, and I want Thio, say thank you all for coming And all of the things you have done to serve me and love me and our family e just can’t appreciate you enough. And, uh, when you say what happened I’ve done I know there’s a lot I haven’t done. So thank you for your grace and forgiveness for all the things that I had. Not that A Anyway, I love you guys. I’m usually a woman of many words, but right now, thank you very much, Sergeant Major, no erogenous will now present Chaplain Shaw his retirement flag. Thank you, Sergeant. Major oddness. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you our honored guest, my colleague, my friend and my mentor, Chaplain Colonel Jonathan Shaw, United States Army. Retired. Wow, this retirement think sneaks up on you. In my case, it was the 39 year low crawl. Um, I can just say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the many undeserved gracious and kind words I’ll say a little bit more than that. First of our chaplain Corps senior leaders. Thank you, sir. Sort of major. And at all who have attended your schedules. Air so busy your words are overly generous and your services legendary. Thank you for what you continue to do for soldiers and families. For those who have worked in the ceremony. Thank you, Chaplain Knuckles for the prayer pastor as get you. Beat me next time in football. Chaplain Glover. Wonderful job starting heterogeneous. Thank you. Starting Westley, if you’re here for setting it all up. My goodness, my father, who will be put to work later for the benediction. Thank you, Dad. And for those who were so hard behind the scenes Chaplain, the Reverend Billy Graham, certain Wesley, our photographer. Our videographer. Thank you, sir. Awesome. work. I sure appreciate it. All the escorts that have served starmaker Morris some weed. Thank you for all that have made this possible. I want to thank also special guests who have come. Mr. Fritz Pauling. Thanks a million to quote you 5th and 6th grade teacher continues at Emanuel and Alexandria Rev. Dr Carl and Darcy. Fabrizio s Milwaukee. Long time since seminary days. Thank you. Awesome friendship. Jon and Elissa Eckert. Wonderful. I’m glad you honored with your presence. Thank you for coming. And Brenda and I are honorary aunt and uncle to them. Thank you, boy. Oh, the for its and Carole. Why growth? I got to set up for failure by too many nice words. Okay. Thanks for coming all the way from Key Wanni, Reverend Doctor, Theological mentor, friend. Comrade Carol. Best friend with Brenda from 60 years ago. 60. Think about so thank you, Reverend. Dr. Chaplain, retired Bill Barbie, who used to take me out and runs and Honduras and Panama until I puked, Uh, in the days around, just cause tremendous athletes. Cindy, wonderful to see you. You guys. Crazy athlete. Uh, fantastic. Thank you for representing the Fort Leonard Wood Panama, Central America Days, a chaplain, Mark and Mrs Carla Knuckles representing back toe the nineties 101st our result And many, many assignments since then. All the Ohh folks who are here. Uh huh. Uh, Steve A. He’s not a lawyer. Ended, Chaplain. He’s a brilliant legal mind. Who is a chaplain’s shop approached Lewis. Starting, major. I want to say Oh, and thank you for coming. Represent Chaplain Green, Suzanne Chapman Palmer driving the train at Oak. Thank you. Okay. Carrie, you’re not here, Jodi. Not here right now. She’s retired. Thank you. All the oak folks over all the decades who have been here, Chelsea. Thank you, Chelsea. I don’t know if you can run up here, but she is the mother of seven of our grandchildren. She’s taking care of them. Come on up here, young lady. Yeah, this is getting your mask. Okay. While she’s getting her mask, I want to say that it’s one thing to get married. It’s another thing to have more than two kids because that’s one for each hand. And now you’re in the realm of grace alone and faith alone on. Then, when you have seven, I mean, this is unbelievable. And then Oh, by the way, yeah, Let’s home school just for fun. Thank you so much for all. No, wait. Okay, then the three troublemakers who are there the whole time growing up. Jonathan, Christie and Susie. I’ll start with Jonathan. Your gift is forthcoming. Husband, Father, soldier Son. Two kingdoms. I can’t remember Next. Christie. Great benefit. A lover of animals. A provider for animals, A defender of animals. The philosopher an analyst lives in L. A. A really trooper is an army family member. Christie. Love you. So, Susie. Actress personality also animal lover never stops. Always working to gain perfection in your craft. I don’t know where you get that. Another really trooper to the Army family, even our family and Brenda. Oh, I love my life. Uh, she never met a small child or a small animals she didn’t love. She knows no strangers from There are no strangers to Brenda. She goes up and says hi and greets and supports everyone. When she sees somebody in need, she takes it is God’s call to show his love Couldn’t do any different cultures. Sure. E Oh, yeah. Chaplain. Par excellence later. Uh huh. later. Uh huh. Yeah. Okay. You’re going here. Get the cleanups out. Uh, so I already started. Uh, thank you for everybody who made this possible. My dad. My mom. God rest your soul. Blessed in Christ, Corina. Dad remarried about 10 years after mom passed. She couldn’t be here. She’s in Hawaii. Jamie and Bob. My sister. She recently broke her hip. Or she’d be here. Bob, when I was in M s one, he was the M s. Four. Could that battalion Commander Wheaton College, He’d be here. Joel would be here. He’s next. Brother down. Got a very serious accident. Freak accident. New York City is in the hospital. Almost took his life that he is recovering. Thanks be to God. Joel. I love you. I’m sorry about my younger brother. J passed a couple years ago. I love you. God keep you until we have a reunion and his wife live. Love you too. All my comrades have mentioned you A couple that aren’t in the room. Uh, Waters, You help keep my sanity. Thank you. Some doubt your success, Sergeant. Major pair great work and integrating professionally Army systems. Michael Lemke, larger than life of blood. Brother Lamar Griffin. God rest your soul. Steady in the calm Brian Walker, a world class integrator in Pentagon bureaucracy. Thank you, brother. Sergeants Major, All with special attention to Martinez, Chaplain and stop. You show us the icon of professional NCO service tonight. Thank you. Just thank you. Let’s see. Oh, I gotta do these General officers, Dick Formica who tried to teach me and maybe had some success to think like a commander. Chaplain Matt Zimmerman, the first chaplain for it with a five year strategic plan Who taught me that Chaplain Dave Hicks, who sort of the strategic level in said never lose sight of the individual soul. I hope I learned, uh, chaplain Doug Carver, who integrated, uh, in operations across the Pentagon. Maybe I learned too much. Well done. Thank you, sir. Uh, Chaplain Don Rutherford, who taught me the importance of being tied with hip to your senior leaders of the army. What a great job. Hey, did Chaplain Paul Hurley hey called the Chaplain corps back to Basics. And Sir Chaplain Tom Soldier, Um, keeping our laser like focus on people on community so that extraneous goes away and we do what we need to do. Thanks. Thanks to all you senior leaders. Tall, The unsung heroes for Bill Jenkinson. Chuck heard Great Williamson and countless thousands of others. Thank you. The greatest banks. To the one who has not seen the God and father of all who created the universe and to his son, Jesus Christ, who has created us a new Bice blood and to his spirit, by whom we live, believe and shall be raised on the last day to him be the glory in all. Amen. Now it’s appropriate. Get a couple of minutes. It’s appropriate in a venue like this to be here. Not because I’m a whole heroes, Sky. I’m not a hero, but because it’s in the Pentagon because it’s the Northern Virginia Because so much of my life has been here way were Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1988 when my dad was the endorser and Brendan I were commissioned in a church sense to go into the chaplaincy active duty here 83 to 88. I said a lot of reserve units in the Washington D. C. Area. 1966 going back, I walked up an elevated sidewalk with my dad 66 through the turnstiles and came in here is a 10 year old to get my first military I. D card. 56. I received my first commission into Christ Army through baptism. Now I’m supposed to say something significant is a retiree I’m going to try. But experts say definitive histories usually take 75 years after the fact to be written. So you get some distance from objectivity and you could see what really matters. I’m old, but I’m not 75 years old, so that’s one strike against me. The second thing is, I’m stuck inside me and I really don’t know how I come across. It took a man to tell me, by the way, I wouldn’t even know I was intense until somebody said Chapman shot. You know, you’re rather intense. No. Yes. So I got two strikes against me. The things I want to say. I have to keep that I need I need a source that’s more than 75 years old, Thio. Say something of value and I need something which is outside of myself to be objective. So my plan is this. I’m going to say two things and It’s anchored in the word of God, which is sure which is outside of ourselves, in which is absolutely, objectively true. Thanks, Christopher. Um, when the first thing is this the purpose of the Army? You could talk about purpose in many ways, but the Scripture Christian says this. The purpose of the Army, Romans 13, is to protect what’s good and right and to punish or put down what’s evil. That’s it. We use force. God ordained the government to call the army and look what we’re surrounded by. The heroes who have given their life to protect what’s right. Put down evil for the sake of God and country. Wow way need to give thanks for that three. Army is not a self help organization. It is not a social experiment. It is not essentially an organization for mercy and forgiveness, though we all need it. It is essentially to protect what’s right and punish what is evil. And that means, and I want to encourage all of this in this tough training, demanding standards, people who work hard and moral leadership. This is an absolute essential task. If you look at the bulletin for today, you see the soldier kneeling down here. What a load. He’s carrying all that to protect what’s right and punish what’s wrong. Chaplains and religious affairs specialists are here for him to power the soldier. It’s all about the soldier soldiers, air parts of units and families. And so the first non negotiable task of a chaplain religious very specialist, is to build moral strength. At this point, the Jew and the Muslim and the Christian are not necessarily talking about God. They’re talking about the second table of law. How to protect what’s right. Be a strong person. Keep a strong moral code. Love your wife, be honorable to your family, not lie. Not cursed, not steal, uh, served with honor. So we have chaplains. We as teams will. It’s very specialist need to engage the moral leadership role that God has given us. It’s a key function. We must never lose sight of it. That’s my first point. The second point is that that’s key. But there’s an essential function, and that is that we give concrete, specific faith based spiritually, actually, God focused words and religious support. This is who we are as clergy called to represent our ecclesiastical endorsement with integrity and fidelity, love and certainty and God’s word and gifts. Ezekiel to puts it this way, speaking to Ezekiel. As for them, the people call it the army, whether they hear or whether they refuse. Yet they will know that a profit has been among them. You shall speak my words to them. So the second word is this. When you preach, teach pray and council show the faith ordained into God has called, You deserve it. We need that concrete expression. And it must be clear and present because we face a clear and present danger through the enemy who would deceive and Jamus. And so that means there is some difference. Whereas in moral leadership, chaplains and religious teams may have a generic approach to building, and we ought to reaching out to all. When it comes to actual religion, it’s essential that a Jewish chaplain, a rabbi, look one way a Muslim chaplain Yeah, look another way. A Christian chaplain, he thinks, well, I would have you know, nothing that Jesus Christ and him crucified. He looks a different way. And is that exactly at this point that there is a temptation and a strategic tension because on the one hand, where moral leaders who for all building strong moral fiber and every soldier and family and on the other hand, we are religious specific clergy and the tight Geist wants us to say, Well, that could be offensive. So let’s tryingto put that in the blender and make it generic. When we make it all generic, we help nobody. But when we work hard and we say Where are we? At what stage of mind, What is moral leadership? I’m gonna strengthen people as moral soldiers and family units and on the other side, when we preach, teach praying Council. If we can bring the faith, is God has given it to us. Nothing can stop us. That’s it. That’s all I got. And it’s not my insights. It’s the insights of God’s word, which are objective, and I’ll leave you with those two points. I’ve attempted to leave it on the field for 39 years of this. I hope there is no question mhm, where I’ve sinned against you out you in TV land to include I beg your forgiveness. Forgive me here on Lee Grace, I pray well about and where we have had the privilege toe work together. I give thanks for you. I give thanks for the comradeship that we have had. I give thanks for having helped soldiers and families. Brenda couldn’t have done any of it without you. And yet it was not I who did anything but the grace of God in me. Susie Christie job. Awesome. Thanks for being the family who made it all work. Hats off to you, Dad. Thanks for leading the way from when I was born back in 56 when I started ROTC. You couldn’t eat until you had memorized General Order number One and could say it instantaneously for the civilians among us. I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved. I take the ceremony as being properly relieved. Sir, it’s time for the next guy. God bless you all Chapman show out. So they have appropriately risen in honor. And thanks to you. So I do not need to ask them to rise for the end of the ceremony. Well done, my good friend. Ladies and gentlemen, we will remain standing now for the singing of the Army song, which we will sing in unison if you do not know the words, they are in the back of your program, followed by the benediction given by Chaplin. Colonel James Shaw, United States Army Retired. Yeah, right a way. Three way We have the Army family proclaims. First, if I for the right and your village nations on the Army was rolling off mhm. Out of all we have done fighting till the rattles went on the Army of rolling of law. And it’s high. High Day is on its way. Evan on Kate’s side of Strong for where we go, you will always help that PRT controlling a bar. Let us pray. Gracious Heavenly Father, We thank and praise you for the blessings you have bestowed on this nation, especially religious freedom in your Providence. You let George Washington to see the need for chaplains in the Continental Army and then requested Congress to authorize it, which they did in 17 75. We thank you for the thousands of chaplains who have volunteered for the Army and other services. They have been assisted by enlisted soldiers for whom we are thankful at times. Chaplains know that they may not return to their loved ones. Over 100 were killed in World War 2 12 in Korea, in 16 in Vietnam. Lord, your son said, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God, the things that are God’s chaplains live this. They serve as non combatants representing their faith groups with integrity while obeying the laws of the land and rules of the military. Today we thank you for my son, who is being honored in this auspicious room. I’m aware that he gave a lot of himself in serving as an Army chaplain. Lord, I believe that he can say, As do I. I would do it all over again. Bless those assembled here. All of our chaplains, religious programs, specialists, they’re ladies and other loved ones. We ask this in your son’s name. The Lord bless you and keep you The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you peace, I imagine. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the official ceremony. Please come forward at this time to offer your personal congratulations to Chapman, Colonel. Retired shawl and his Excuse me? A. I guess I’m the host thing. This is another unscripted moment. If we don’t do this, we’ll never get another opportunity to do this, right. We’re gonna have to keep a mass on, I regret. Okay, But I need your family to come forward. And I need to get Chelsea. If we could please, once again help with magnificent seven. No pun intended. They are truly magnificent. Have not had the opportunity to meet them yet. I’m looking forward to that. I indulge everyone that’s watching and those of you they’re here today just for a moment of patients that we could take a few pictures here quickly and then exercise what you are about to do and that give How do you want this? Which, So you come over here, Dad. Well, thank you for, uh, Chelsea. Come this way. Okay. Okay. Let’s get the magnificent seven up here. Okay. Come on up. Susie. Danny Island. Jake. Titus. Milo. Mila. Come on up. Here we go. Yeah, yeah. Uh, yes. Great. Okay. Thank you. Hi. Uh huh. Oh, they may not remember this day, but we will. Over Let’s look at the camera. Everybody smiled. Say cheese. Hold on. I guess that would be masked. Jeez. Yeah. Good job. Good. Jeez. Nice. Thank you.

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