Saint Barbara brings local community and military together

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, are pictured with the priest of Lupburg’s Saint Barbara’s Church, Pfarrer Rakete. (Left to Right): Maj. John Smith, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jarrod Frank, Lt. Col. Jay Bessey, Pfarrer Rakete, Maj. Felix Figueroa, and Maj. Joshua Zuruba). Artillery Soldiers and members of the Mustang team from JMRC, Hohenfels, Germany, joined congregants from Lupburg’s Church of Saint Barbara to celebrate Saint Barbara’s Day, Dec. 6. (Photo courtesy of Maj. Felix Figueroa)  

HOHENFELS, BAYERN, GERMANY

12.09.2020

Courtesy Story

Joint Multinational Readiness Center

LUPBURG, Germany -- Artillery Soldiers and members of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center's Mustang team joined congregants from Lupburg's Church of Saint Barbara to celebrate Saint Barbara's Day, Dec. 6. This visit is an opportunity for JMRC soldiers to visit with local German hosts outside of the training area.

“Partnerships such as these matter because they highlight the commonalities we share with our host nation and demonstrate the importance of community to our personal and professional well-being,” said Lt. Col. Jay Bessey, Senior Observer Coach/Trainer Mustang team. “We share a lot culturally and spiritually with the citizens of Lupberg, which makes this partnership truly fulfilling.”

Saint Barbara's Day is actually Dec. 4 but traditionally celebrated within the church on the closest Sunday. Not only is the church in Lupurbg named for Saint Barbara, but also she is the patron saint of artillery, making this event a very special one for all involved.

“Saint Barbara as the patron saint of artillery is significant because her patronage exemplifies the inherent danger of being in the artillery; further, induction of our Soldiers and Leaders into this prestigious order denotes long-term, exceptional service to the field artillery,” said Bessey. “It is a unique honor for JMRC and the Mustang Team to have a handful of Saint Barbara patrons participate in this time-honored event.”

• Date Taken: 12.09.2020
• Date Posted: 12.10.2020 07:09
• Story ID: 384534
• Location: HOHENFELS, BAYERN, DE