Soldiers celebrate their faith at sunrise

Photo By Spc. Paul Harris | Speaking at the sunrise service, Salinas, Calif., native Lt. Col. Christopher Johnson, executive officer, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, delivers the Easter message during the sunrise service at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

04.17.2006

Story by Spc. Paul Harris 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

by Pfc. Paul J. Harris
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

BAQUBAH, Iraq (April 16, 2006) - In the early Easter Sunday morning, Soldiers and U.S. civilians from Forward Operating Base Warhorse celebrated their Christian faith in a sunrise service.

"Well for a lot of people it is just another day that we have to work and serve in," said Lt. Col. Christopher Johnson, executive officer, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, who gave the Easter message at the service. "But I think it is important to take time out to celebrate (Easter) because it is an important part of the Christian faith."

Johnson's message was one of looking at Jesus Christ not only as a savior but as a leader who was willing to serve.

"The most important thing we do as leaders is to serve our Soldiers," Johnson said. "The example I was trying to use was Jesus Christ. I thought he was a strong leader whose whole purpose in life was to serve us. I was trying to convey that as part of the Easter (message)"

He also used an un-orthodox analogy of Kip from Napoleon Dynamite to describe the struggle one must face to finding the confidence within to succeed. Johnson's analogy went over well with the younger Soldiers in attendance.

We all have different things in common, Johnson said. Just because I am a lieutenant colonel does not mean I cannot find relevant humor to get the message across.

Christians around the world celebrate Easter as a remembrance for when Jesus Christ rose from the dead to forgive man's sins.

"The big theme of the resurrection is that there is everlasting life. Hope that it is going to be better, that it is going to be OK," said Chaplain (Maj.) Jim Hartz, brigade chaplain, 3rd HBCT.

The Bible says early on the first day of the week, around sunup, the women went to the tomb and they found it empty except for the burial linens Jesus was wrapped in, Hartz said.

The tradition of holding a sunrise service is to mark the occasion when Jesus" tomb was found.

"It is nice to know that traditions of back home are still being upheld (here at FOB Warhorse) and that your beliefs are being taken care of," said Pfc. Natalie Therrien, medic, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd HBCT.

However, the irony of celebrating a holy Christian day in a predominately Muslim country was on the minds of the Soldiers worshiping.

"This is the land where it all began. It does not affect me that we are in a Muslim country celebrating Easter. Easter means to me that Jesus is still alive and that he reigns from heaven," said Staff Sgt. Michael Bennett, platoon sergeant, Company A, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd HBCT.

Soldiers often rely on their religion or faith to get them through the hard times of a deployment. For Bennett, reading his bible, singing in the brigade choir or praying are ways of relieving stress.

"I know if I am mad at somebody I can get on my knees and pray. I know that the Lord is always there helping me," said Bennett.

Finding comfort in the simple traditions of celebrating Christ can help Soldiers maintain a connection with loved ones in the U.S.

"(Faith) gives you a purpose," said Therrien. "You know that you have someone watching over your family while you are not there. A higher power is looking out for you."

• Date Taken: 04.17.2006
• Date Posted: 04.17.2006 15:42
• Story ID: 6060
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ