Though the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, is stationed in Fort Lewis, Wash., and its many Soldiers are training far from home in Fort Polk's Joint Readiness Training Center, Soldiers with the brigade came together in a house they all recognized, June 13.
"We got information that there would be an available Catholic Mass at the Main Post Chapel for our Catholic Soldiers, so I gathered up some of our Catholic Soldiers. Being a Protestant Chaplain, I thought it would be more comforting for Catholic Soldiers to attend a Catholic Mass," said 1st Lt. Folauga Tupuola, chaplain for the brigade's 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment.
Signs were posted all over the different operating bases of the JRTC, inviting Soldiers to attend, but Tupuola was still surprised to see the bus fill up at its first stop.
"It was a glorious experience for me. Just coming into the Army, you hear the rumor that you'll have five, six or maybe 10 Soldiers, if you're lucky, attend worship service," Tupuola said. "We had 39 from the 4-9 Infantry and then had only room for five Soldiers from the 202nd Brigade Support Battalion."
The Soldiers spent their hour in church peacefully, taking comfort in the priest's simple welcome.
"You are home. You are far from home, but you are home."
For Protestant Soldiers, worship was held on the following day, with each operating base in the JRTC holding its own service. On forward operating base Anvil, service was held in the dining facility. The setting was humble, but Soldiers like Spc. David Greene, a supply specialist with the 4-9 Infantry, were still thankful for the opportunity to worship together.
"It's always a blessing for me to come to service. Just to be able to share God's word with fellow believers and find strength in the others is always Uplifting," said Greene.
With the brigade preparing for another year away from home and in harm's way, Tuopola offers more of that uplifting experience, and with the other battalion chaplains, will be offering services throughout the brigade's month-long rotation through JRTC, the upcoming deployment and beyond.
Date Taken: | 06.13.2009 |
Date Posted: | 06.16.2009 19:39 |
Story ID: | 35185 |
Location: |
Web Views: | 548 |
Downloads: | 511 |
This work, Stryker brigade Soldiers strengthen spirits, by SGT Victor Ayala, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.