Photo By Dustin Senger | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeff Bruns, of Cuba, Mo., gives an invocation during an evening...... read more read more
CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – "May we as a nation never take for granted the price paid for our defense and the protection of our way of life," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeff Bruns, of Cuba, Mo., during an evening Memorial Day ceremony, May 31, at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar.
Service members gathered for a moment of remembrance and prayer in tribute to those who gave their lives serving their nation. Bruns, installation chaplain, gave an invocation after a thunderous rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" brought everyone to attention.
"Each of these men and women we remember and honor today represents a priceless gift," said Bruns, who provides the deployed military community spiritual support through prayers and scriptures. "Lord, we give you thanks for their devotion and their sacrifice."
"Now in the quiet of this moment let their names surround us and may their lives of action inspire our continued service to our nation," said Bruns. "Lord, guard and protect every member of our military forces serving today."
Camp As Sayliyah supports overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. Department of Defense reports reveal that 5,480 service members and DOD civilians have died supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as of May 28.
"No greater love describes the actions of the service members who have died serving and protecting our nation," said Bruns, preceding his Memorial Day prayer. "Today we give thanks for the depth of their love and its impact on our way of life."
"We're also here to offer a prayer for their families," said Bruns, "who endure the loss of their son or daughter, their father or mother, their husband or wife."
Bruns rapidly learned about military family hardships and resilience during his first assignment at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., after completing his masters in divinity from The Southern Baptist Theology Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He conducted several funerals at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis from 1989 to 1992.
"I established a custom of arriving early to the cemetery," said Bruns. "I allowed myself time to walk among the graves and read the names on the headstones. I found this stirred my emotions. Each simple white headstone bears silent witness to the service of the Soldier, Sailor, Marine, and Airman whose grave they mark."
"Their service preserved freedom, as a result of united efforts and sacrifice."
| Date Taken: | 05.31.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.31.2010 12:19 |
| Story ID: | 50592 |
| Location: | CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA |
| Web Views: | 324 |
| Downloads: | 233 |
This work, Chaplain in Qatar reflects on service, sacrifice, by Dustin Senger, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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