Photo By Staff Sgt. Kelly OConnor | Maj. Gen. Steven Shaick, U.S. Air Force chief of chaplains, speaks to U.S. Airmen from...... read more read more
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U.S. Airmen from RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath attended a Thanksgiving Eve service at Ely Cathedral, Nov. 21, 2018.
The service at Ely Cathedral started in 1986, but the tradition dates back to World War II when St. Paul’s Cathedral first invited American service members to celebrate and give thanks to God.
“Because of the great impact American Airmen had in England during WWII, the relationship between the East Anglians and the U.S. Air Force continues to this day,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Russ Ragon, 100th Air Refueling Wing chaplain. “Many locals feel a special relationship to American Airmen, and since 1986, the annual community Thanksgiving service at Ely Cathedral has been a very visible expression of the special relationship between the Air Force and their allies.”
The doors opened and 250 service members, their family members, and other employees from both bases began their evenings with a concert performed by the Ely Cathedral Octagon Choir. The choir sang "The Star Spangled Banner" to the cathedral organ’s tune.
The service started with a welcome by vicar John Samson, who hoped the service would help the Airmen feel closer to their loved ones from back home.
Maj. Gen. Steven Shaick, U.S. Air Force chief of chaplains, gave the message this year. He encouraged all to contemplate who and what they are thankful for, and to praise God with a joyful heart. “We're invited this evening, as we move into this American holiday, to worship the Lord with kindness,” Schaick said. “Give thanks and praise to Him - this is the invitation of thanksgiving. Happy thanksgiving to each of you.”
The service ended with everyone, U.S. and U.K., singing a hymn and proceeding to a long table filled with pies galore. The attendees donated 60 pies to share amongst the community, closing the ceremony with happy, full bellies.
“It is fitting that our two nations join our hearts in thanking God for giving us what we need,” Ragon said, “and for giving us one another as people joined by a common language, a common history, and common victories.”
| Date Taken: | 11.22.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.22.2018 11:03 |
| Story ID: | 301038 |
| Location: | ELY , CAMBRIDGESHIRE, GB |
| Web Views: | 171 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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