Photo By Johnathon Orrell | Army Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, the chief of the U.S. Army’s Chaplain Corps (left);...... read more read more
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By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Orrell
National Guard Bureau
WASHINGTON – A recent Blue Star Families survey found 96 percent of military families don’t think the rest of the country understands the sacrifices they make for America, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi told National Guard chaplains here today.
“I hope that figure is not correct - but it is correct that that’s what those military families thought,” she said.
Pelosi, minority leader of the House of Representatives, made a surprise visit to the National Guard’s 2011 Joint Chaplain Conference, where she spoke to about 400 chaplains and chaplain assistants about the difference they make in the well-being of service members here and abroad.
“As you know, the first lady and others are working together to show appreciation to the families for what they do, and hopefully that has an impact on the morale of the troops who are serving,” Pelosi said.
On her most recent visit to Afghanistan over Mother’s Day, Pelosi met with troops who are mothers and grandmothers and held sessions with chaplains about some of the challenges the troops face.
“Stunning report in the paper yesterday – over a period of time, more suicides than [losses] in combat – that adds to your burden,” Pelosi said.
The Chaplain Corps is one of the best tools to help fight the rise in military suicides, Pelosi said.
“Nobody has a better finger on the pulse of the well-being of the troops, whether it be strength through their faith or their morale, than each and every one of you,” she said.
“I have so much respect for what you do. We all value the contributions that you make, and sometimes we don’t have the chance to say this to each other, so I feel [it's] a blessing that I do have this opportunity.
“Thank you for what you do for our troops, they’re our treasure, and God bless them, as God has certainly blessed America with their service to our country.
“You are our strength, and we know that.”
Before Pelosi left, Army Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, chief of the U.S. Army’s Chaplain Corps, led the room in prayer for Pelosi.
Pelosi said she would carry his words in her heart and focus on hope.
“Sometimes when people say to me, ‘Where is hope?’ I say it’s right there where it always was, right between faith and love, just sitting in the middle,” Pelosi said.
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2011 15:24 |
| Story ID: | 64323 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 241 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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