Home > A chaplain's view of Iraq
Keeping our spiritual compass
As Task Force 34 prepares for redeployment, I have found myself reaching back into my own life for spiritual and moral direction. I believe that a resource for citizen soldiers in keeping our moral compass pointed in the right direction is the constant rediscovery of our nation’s spiritual heritage.
Our national identity and spiritual development as a nation has always found its most creative balance in our diversity as a people. The Army certainly reflects this same diversity and it has given us a unity of strength.
We live in a land of that represents a cultural melting pot, much like a stew that is made up of many ingredients. When you put it all together and allow it to cook in a crock pot you end up with a great meal made up of all the gifts and graces, temperaments, and personalities that combined together give us a unity of character.
The tapestry of our land is woven into the fabric of these historically diverse backgrounds of people who come from every part of the globe and culture, and I believe that this is a reflection of our own Army culture and warrior Ethos.
Amidst the cultural melting pot, with our spiritual and moral compass, we find a great strength of character, and that remains a blessing from our unique American heritage. That spiritual heritage keeps us alive and growing in a healthy way and it is with confidence then that we can embrace our future as responsible citizens making a difference in our world.
Our faith in a living God is foundational for our nation’s calling and is expressed in so many different ways as it reflects the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, that says: “CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAWS RESPECTING AN ESABLISHME NT OF RELIGION OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF…”
Within the framework of the world’s great religions it is taught that we are to have respect for all people and apply the golden rule of treating others as we would want to be treated; as a Christian this is certainly the case.
In the Army community, the free exercise of religion clause from this amendment guarantees all of us the right to practice the dictates of our own consciences and to stand upon the strong foundation of our founding fathers keeping visibility of them as we protect the dignity of all of our people. God is good.
Our own Army values are a direct reflection of these historic documents and spiritual heritage. Because in them we see how LOYALTY, DUTY, RESPECT, SELFLESS SERVICE, HONOR, INTEGRITY, and PERSONAL COURAGE connect the dots for us to our most sacred values. And, in them we continue to lead the world toward peace, while we spread democracy to distant lands.
Task Force 34 embraces our national love for freedom and our nation’s spiritual and moral compass. And as we redeploy home these values give us strength for the completion our mission as we rediscover our nation’s spiritual heritage, that will return us home with honor.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment |
An opportunity to help out our soldiers
We are using a Bible study for our deployed soldiers that I have found speaks to our needs. It is a study called IAN FLEMING’S SEVEN DEADLIER SINS & 007’s MORAL COMPASS by BENJAMIN PRATT and I would like to appeal to anyone who might help us get more copies of it sent to my APO address here in Iraq.
I love the words from Maya Angelou that says that “If you are not facing down your own demons-your not fully alive”. And such is the case for our need to look at our lives with the clarity of the spirit because we live in a time and day that represents so much evil with the attending temptations that are so great. Looking at own personal need for confronting our own vulnerability and pull downward form the world and its temptations is often critical for completing the mission that we have all set out to fulfill. Without the moral compass that comes form God, we are asking for a grief that almost defies description. The author has already given more than 100 copies of the study to chaplains.
Amazon.com and on the customs form say “Gift” and “Study Book”. The web site is BondBible Study.info and then click on the book.
My APO address is
John Kent Berry
Chaplain (LTC)
HHC 2-149th GSAB TF 34
APO AE 09391
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Texas Gov. Rick Perry visits us in Iraq
A great American legacy is the way we look at others’ faith in historical context — the way we celebrate our diversity.
I saw this great tradition take place when our governor, Rick Perry, shared with all the soldiers in Balad, Iraq, at a town hall meeting on how certain university types from the Texas agriculture world were making plans to work with Iraqi university agriculture professors. The joint venture truly demonstrates our desire to transcend culture and religion and shows the big hearts of Texans.
I was blessed to visit with the governor at length and he was very positive about our new president-elect while affirming in love and appreciation his formers boss, President Bush.
The governor spent just a little time speaking to the whole group of us and then spent about two hours visiting with Texas soldiers one on one. We are talking about visiting with specialists and sergeants and the like, not to just the brass.
I appreciated this approach and his willingness to spend time with all of us on the same level of attention and respect. Many pictures were taken and the commander and chief of the Texas Army National Guard gave the oath of office to three re-enlistments.
As a veteran himself, Rick Perry joked and prodded and stood through a photo opportunity that would have tested any aviators’ wings. On the way out the door, he stopped midstream and said, “Where is the chaplain?”
I approached him and he gave me a Governors’ coin and joked, “Now don’t go out and buy a beer with this … unless you’re an Episcopalian,”
That’s the way it took place on Thursday, January the 8th.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment |
Of global concern
Rabbi Milton Steinberg once wrote that we need to “consider the pattern of human affairs: how falsehood, having no legs, cannot stand; how evil tends to destroy itself; how every tyranny has eventually invoked its own doom. Now set against this the staying power of truth and righteousness. Could the contrast be so sharp unless something in the scheme of things discouraged evil and favored the good?” ( Anatomy of Faith)
My thoughts here are quite simple. The radical fundamentalist Islamic form of terrorism has caught up with itself — as long as the free world says “NO” to it and continues to invest in the freedom that God intended all people to have. We are all fighting an enemy that desires nothing less then the destruction of all social order, other than its self-dominance. Religious freedom for the practice of one’s own individual conscience is critical for our entire world and will continue to be a main area of global concern.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Texas aviation at its best
Christmas and New Year’s went by without hardly a notice. Most of our soldiers have been shuffling back and forth for their Rest and Relaxation (R&R) with family and friends. The systematic troop rotations run like clockwork, and it is amazing to see everything work so well.
I am excited to see the American and coalition forces scale back and give up Forward Operating bases and our general operational control of the country. All of this should make our new president’s job regarding Iraq easier. However, Afghanistan is clearly on my mind, as well as the extreme violence being committed by the terrorists. I believe that this will sit in a heavy way on the heart our president-elect.
Our troops are motivated in knowing that a job is being completed over here and that we will be seeing our homes soon. The National Guard has certainly done is share of the fighting and sustainment of peace in our world. Our chapels are full and we are all growing in our faith. Our hats, mine especially, are off for our families and communities that continue to support us.
May God’s love always be with you all,
Kent
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year from Iraq
Much seems to be taking place here in Iraq as the United States military is stepping back and letting the Iraqi Army control more of its owns operations and security. Our aviation Task Force continues to service all of its customers at a rapid pace.
I am currently spending some time with my chaplain assistant providing religious support on another of our forward operating bases (FOBs). Christmas is a special time of the year for all of us, and we are all making a real effort to celebrate the holiday season with faith and thanksgiving.
Many special events are taking place among our service members in Iraq. Tonight, for example, the Charlie Med-e vac of the 2-149th GSAB cooked steaks, chicken and hot dogs around a bonfire. They gave me a cigar and and near-beer, complete with a red Santa hat, and put me in a big chair by the bonfire and proceeded on with a photo-op with their chaplain.
These may be small things, but they are all important and good for the morale and general command climate. God is good and working among us in a very special way.
We are all very proud to serve our country and believe that this new democracy created in this ancient land of the Bible will be our spiritual heritage for generations to come.
For God and country,
Kent
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Veterans’ Day
The soldiers of the 2-149th -Task Force 34 from Iraq stand with all veterans — past, present and future — as we recognize together that “serving a cause greater than ourselves” remains an honor and a blessing.
As we contiue to serve our great nation here in Iraq, our leadership and our soldiers feel very much connected to our homes and communties.
A big thank you to Crawford High School for everything it is doing to remember all our veterans, and also to the Colleyville Lions Club for $4,000 that has started a “Chaplains Fund Assistance Program” to help out our soldiers needing finacial help.
Also, much apprciation to our rear detachment, CPT Stillinger, Chaplain Wallace and Chirstine Gilbreath, who assisted with connecting the dots by coordinating with the Lions Club to make this happen. As my commander says, “IT’S ALL GOOD.”
To all who care about veterans…we love you and keep us all in your prayers.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment |
Baby shower
A baby shower is being hosted for Hillary Vallejo by the Family Readiness Group of the 2-149th GSAB and the VFW.
Hillary’s husband is Capt. Robert Vallejo, who was killed in the hellicopter crash that took the lives of 7 of our heroes in Iraq.
The event will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the VFW Post 8561 in Arlington, Texas. Contact information for expressions of love and support can be directed to Cris Gerardo at (817). 846-5333
Blessings to all from Balad, Iraq.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
I have been blessed to serve these heroes
Our Charlie Company works as the Air medivac for much of Iraq and so anytime we hear about suicide bombings in Iraq…this includes Iraqi citizens…then it is C co of the 2-149th that is flying out to pick these people up and bring them to the hospital or mortuary affairs.
Last week in very bad weather we had a call come for one of our small foward operating bases on a motor attack. Three of our slodiers were wounded and one died but was revived…he died a week later…on the way to the hospital.
There was very low visibility and it was at night. Our pilots and crews flew in and picked them up. It was noted that if the helicopter had not gone into that area…there would have been not been any to have survived that attack.
These are the soldiers that I have been blessed to serve…they are my heroes
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Vote
Greetings again from Balad, Iraq
The other day I went on line and pulled up the web site for voting for this coming presidential election in November. I filled it out and sent it in to Kathy E. Van Wolfe, who is the voter Registrar for McLENNAN County.
It is my sincere prayer that we have the greatest number of voter turnouts for this presidential election then we have every had in the history of our country. We all need to be praying for the right person to be our next commander in chief and president… and then go and vote.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment |
Remembering three fallen heroes
First Sergeant Julio Ordonez, Chief Warrant Officer One Corry Edwards and First Lieutenant Robert Vallejo perished in a CH-47 helicopter crash in southern Iraq on 18 September 2008.
First Sergeant Ordonez was posthumously promoted to Sergeant Major and is survived by his wife Leticia, sons Julio and Jacob, and daughters Joyce and Judith.
Ordonez was born in Honduras and joined the military on 29 April 1982. Before joining the Texas Army National Guard, he served with HHC, 6-112th in Arkansas as a helicopter engineer. His awards include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development ribbon.
I got to know to know this soldier well. Robert practiced his faith in his local church and we talked about all that from time to time. He will be missed and will remain a blessing to me and all of us who knew him.
Warrant Officer Edwards was posthumously promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Two. He is survived by his wife Nanette, and sons Killian Hunter and Logan Samuel.
Edwards joined the military on 30 December 1992. Before his current assignment, he served with Company G, 3-149th Aviation, and Company D, 2-149th Aviation, as a maintenance officer. He served in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 19 June 2003 to 30 April 2004. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Aviator’s Badge.
Corry was a regular in worship. He used to say to me, sometimes across a room, “Remember the Ark of the covenant.” I’m not altogether sure what he meant by that because we never had the opportunity to talk about it. I suppose we will have to take up that conversation in heaven. But I am sure he most likely was saying that the presence of the Lord is with us and that we should never forget to whom we belong to. He was a great person and loved his Lord.
First Lieutenant Vallejo was posthumously promoted to Captain and is survived by his wife Hillary Ann.
Vallejo joined the Army National Guard on 6 April 1999. His previous assignments include HHC and D Companies, 2-149th Aviation, prior to his current assignment to B Company, 2-149th Aviation, where he served as a pilot and leader in his unit. His awards include the Army Service ribbon, Army Commendation Medal, Aviator’s Badge and the Adjutant General’s Individual Award for Texas.
I got to know to know this soldier well. Robert practiced his faith in his local church and we talked about all that from time to time. He will be missed and will remain a blessing to me and all of us who knew him.
Pro Deo Et Patria (For God and Country )
Kent
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment |
Fallen angel
When we lose an aircraft and we lose lives, it is called a fallen angel.
Our fallen angel from the 2-149th GSAB that crashed in Iraq took 7 of our best souls. Keep them and their familes in your prayers:
CPT Robert Vallejo
Chief Warrent Officer Three Brady Rudolf
Sergeant Major Julio Ordonez
Chief Warrent Officer Two Corry Edwards
Staff Sergeant Anthony Mason
Sergeant Daniel Eshbaugh
Corporal Michael Thompson
Our help is the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth
Psalm 124:8
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment |
Bro. Gene will be missed
It would be fitting to say something about the Rev. Gene Moore who recently passed away.
Gene was a retired United Methodist pastor that served as my interim pastor while I was deployed to Irag in 2004-2005. He was a very gifted soul that served the Oglesby and Crawford United Methodist churches with great sensitivity and pastoral concern for me and my family.
Back when I was appointed to Crawford and Oglesby in 2003, I was only there for one year before I was deployed to Iraq. He served in that appointment for one year and a half, before I got back home and was reappointed by the Central Texas Conference Bishop in January 2006.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. …Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, Yes, says the spirit, they will rest from their labors for their deeds follow them. (Rev. 14:13 )
The day I heard the news of the passing of Bro. Gene was Sunday, and I preached the evening service in Balad Iraq. It marked the start of my second tour in Iraq and the Rev. Moore blessed me again as the Gospel was presented to our soldiers. It’s all good.
Be blessed
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
We’re in Iraq
After several weeks waitng in Kuwait, most of us have made it into Iraq. The weather has been very radical — we have been in a sandstorm that has almost knocked the ligthts out.
All of this reminds me of arriving in Iraq in 2004. We cannot see very far at times and it’s like living in a fishbowl … it is a very demanding and hostile environment in which to live and work.
The food is very good and the dining facilities could not be better. We are well taken care of and we have the best possible medical treatment area and hospital in the country. The workdays seems to run into each other and there does not seem to be a beginning and end to them — a seamless garment.
Those who seek spiritual quidance and worship have our full attention and we offer a full program to all soldiers throughout the week. God is good but demanding of our best efforts. Again, I am blessed to be a part of the finest aviation team in the world and I truly feel blessed to be in Iraq with your sons and daughters, sisters and brothers.
I love America with a passion, and that is something that we all feel and believe in together.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Ireland at 2;30 am
Supportive people have showed up all along the way as we travel to Kuwait. Many of our Texas Aviation National Guard leadership were in OK to send us off and I was asked to give a prayer for the whole group, that was an unexpected joy. It was Sunday and we used the Lords prayer as well. In Maine, a large group of local citizens were at the air port to greet us. They are a great people in Maine and they shook all of our hands as we boarded the plane. I am sitting in the lobbly at Shannan Ireland’s International Airport sitting by Captain Kimbro who helped me get on line with the free local internet service. She is my Company Commander and a pilot herself..she does a great job. All Aggies should be especially proud of her. My chaplain Assistant is sitting across from me and he is also on line with his PC doing some e-mail work.
The 2-149th maintains a very high morale…high spirits ..and that is great…Peope continue to be very supportive of the military. God is Good.
Keep us in your prayers
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Saturday Morning
It’s Saturday morning and the weather is beautiful. I have talked with my wife and family on the phone. We all feel very blessed. The men and women of the 2nd/149th GSAB are proud to serve the state of Texas and its aviation efforts in Iraq. In Psalms, the psalmist reminds us that we have our plans but the Lord determines our steps. Keep us all in your prayers and pray that God will lead us toward a greater peace in the world. May God sustain us and watch over all of our military families.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment |
Block leave
Most all of the soldiers of the 34th Aviation Task Force have gotten back from block leave. It was very hard for us all to have gone to our homes only to leave them for our mission in Iraq. But we are ready for the job in front of us and pray God’s blessing on our efforts. Keep us in your prayers.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
The Rabbi and the Imman
I ran into a Rabbi chaplain friend of mine the other day that I had served with in Iraq on Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-05. Rabbi chaplain Howard Fields is now serving as a clinician at the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston.
At-any-rate, my chaplain friend was telling me that while in Iraq he had had the oppoutunity to meet with religious leaders of one kind or onther … one such meeting was with an Imman …and they happened to be talking about their wives. …and the subject of house cleaning then became the subject; they were in a mosque at Kirkuk.
The Muslim Imman says to the Rabbi “that by Islamic law …that the wife must do at least 50% of the house cleaning,” My Rabbi freind replied , “that’s a lot more than I get from mine”..they both busted a gut in laughter together, said my chaplain friend.
Believe me, there are moments of great religious freedom and diversity in Iraq. And, on more than one occasion …as I traveled the country side with the 278th RCT of TN and the Texas Engineers,
I was introduced as the Imman from the Western White House and I tell you that I was never disappointed in the increased smiles and extended hospitality from these Iraqi citizen experiences.
I believe that our future in Iraq holds great possibility in forming new frendships with the people there and I am hopeful in meeting new freinds in the up-coming months of deployment there.
I love the scripture “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the childern of God”. Why ? beacuse that is where Gods (commanders) intent is to be found, along with a solid mission statement for sustained peace. Be proud that that America is leading the world in this type of diplomacy and be grateful that as the world invests in its ecomomy ( consider China now ) we will be standing side by side this new democracy and its free Global market involment as it takes on a new chapter in its own history. De Colores
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
On to Kuwait
As we clean our living area’s up at Fort SILL OK, And plan to move on to Kuwait for a short time….. the soldiers of the 2-149th GSAB are ready for IRAQ. Our area of operatrion will be IRAQ once we get there…the whole country will have its air support provided by the people that I work for and this chaplain will plan to see the whole country from the air. Providing religious support for aviation means going where we fly and so I should have some things to share with the community about the pilots and crews as I make my way across Iraq
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Good things are taking place
I have confidence in our efforts in Iraq because we are seeing a marked decrease in violence, while our troop strenth decreases….Go “W” Iraqi forces continue to grow as they meet their own secruity needs. Our draw down is real and it it can be noted that the five original surge brigades, two Marine battalions and Australian battle group have redeployed with out the need for replacement, said Rear Adm Patrick Driscoll.
The Iraqi forces have grown by 148,00 troops and the Sunni Muslim ” Sons of Iraq” citizens secuirty groups are nore than 100,000 members strong. This Iraqi ( force surge) explains how we can see such low levels of violence even though we have pulled back the combat power that we have.
The up-shot to the good things that are taking place in Iraq has led to a greater National unity in Iraq and this has helped prime minsiter Mouri-al-Maliki to be experienced as a national leader. It is also a reflection of stong leadership out of Washington and I pray that we continue to have that after our national elections. Who ever wins the election…may God give wisdom to him and guide our nation as we deal with terroism world wide and domestically.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
State Department Mission Statement
One of the reading blocks available for students, given during my phase 3 of the US Army Command and General Staff College, comes from the State Department. Their mission statement caught my attention because it speaks to my spiritual disposition of desiring democracy to work for the Iraqi people. It reads: to, ” Create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the benifit of the American people and the International Community”. I have been blessed with the leadership of President George W. Bush …and I am also thankful for the tremendous dedication of my instructors while at the Command and Genreal Staff College this summer, held on the beautiful campus of Trinity University..San Antonio. Also, My commander for helping to make this education possible, and always a heart felt thanks to my wife and childern. May God bless America and our efforts for a better and safer world.
Latest comments
Greetings Rick, Thank you for your supportive comments. It has taken some time to get back with you and I am sorry for that…this 55 year chaplain is serving a short tour in Afghanistan. Things are getting interesting over here. Pray that our president
... read the full comment by Chaplain Berry | Comment on Keeping our spiritual compass Read Keeping our spiritual compass
Yes. I would love to see more done in the Waco area regarding the recognition of Veternans…Other than the days that we already have. But I am not sure what that would be.
God Bless you CPL Narvaez.
Chaplain (LTC) J.Kent Berry
... read the full comment by Jonn Kent Berry | Comment on Keeping our spiritual compass Read Keeping our spiritual compass
I do respect people in the military from Waco, Tx like myself, but dont you think there should be a day for the Waco community and surrounding areas to celebrity the military personnel, besides the regualar holidays(i.e, veterans day, memorial day, 4th
... read the full comment by Cpl. Narvaez, Justin | Comment on Keeping our spiritual compass Read Keeping our spiritual compass
I WISH CHAPLAIN BERRY THE VERY BEST AS HE GOES TO IRAQ TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY. YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN NEED TO KNOW THAT CHRIST LOVES THEM.
... read the full comment by rick cummins | Comment on Keeping our spiritual compass Read Keeping our spiritual compass