Photo By Maj. Adan Cazarez | Staff Sgt. Daniel Willis, chaplain assistant noncommissioned officer in charge, 4th...... read more read more
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BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – While the drawdown of service members begins to dwindle, as Operation Enduring Freedom ends this year, there are still many deployed Soldiers that still face the challenge of handling deployment stress or seeking spiritual nourishment, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Oct. 11.
The U.S. Army chaplains corps motto is “pro deo et patria,” which translates “For God and Country,” and points to their dual role as mentioned in their mission statement.
One of those military chaplains that sees the importance of religious support within the Army has been.
Capt. Edgardo Rivas, chaplain, 109th Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, not only provides spiritual guidance to service members in his organization, but also conducts a Seventh-day Adventist service to civilian and military personnel each Sabbath morning at Bagram Air Field.
“It has been very rewarding to have the opportunity to talk to Soldiers here,” said Rivas. “It is very different than just being an ordinary chaplain. Being a military chaplain, you have the diversity in serving Soldiers from different religious backgrounds as well.”
Rivas, a Seventh-day Adventist minster, served in the military before he became a U.S. Army chaplain, which has enabled him to better serve soldiers.
“This is my second deployment to Afghanistan,” said Rivas. “During the course of my deployments, you see the challenges that stress Soldiers face and the issues that come with it; especially when they are away from their loved ones.”
As a military chaplain, Rivas recalls an act of God’s work that he will never forget.
“There was one particular Soldier that came to my service, whom was a Seventh-day Adventist before,” said Rivas. “After the service, he approached me and told me that it was time for him to come back to God.”
“Little by little God is doing his work, regardless where you are,” said Rivas.
In the 13 years of conflict in Afghanistan, service members have had the opportunity to take time to observe their beliefs, even in the most rugged, remote locations.
Spc. John Biama, information technology specialist, 580th Signal Company, 25th Signal Battalion, native of South Sudan, is one of those Soldiers who attends Rivas’ services and has been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church for 19 years.
“I was surprised when I heard that there was an Army chaplain conducting a Seventh-day Adventist service,” said Biama. “It feels good to take time out of our busy work week to observe the Sabbath.”
As combat missions begin to end in Afghanistan, a chaplain’s work will not end here. They will continue to provide spiritual nourishment in support the of those ground troops, wherever the Army takes them.
| Date Taken: | 10.11.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2014 03:53 |
| Story ID: | 146120 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 540 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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