Photo By Michael Molinaro | Capt. John Quinn, chaplain, 4th Battalion, 4th Aviation brigade, 4th Infantry...... read more read more
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FOB KALSU, Iraq - As the Easter holiday approaches, being able to worship in their faith is important to Soldiers. Religious services during deployments are sacred moments that can provide a mental state of peace.
Unlike other brigades in the 4th Infantry Division, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team is spread throughout three provinces and four forward operating bases in Iraq. On top of that, a catholic priest is not assigned to the brigade.
Capt. John Quinn, chaplain, 4th Battalion, 4th Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, not only serves the Soldiers from his battalion and Catholic Soldiers at Camp Taji, but devotes his Mondays to serving Catholic Soldiers from the Warhorse brigade. It is a task that can be trying at times but very rewarding.
"The hunger and desire the catholic community in 2nd BCT has to go to mass gets me up in the morning," Quinn said.
Two catholic priests are assigned to the 4th Inf. Div. Quinn is stationed at Camp Taji, where 1st BCT and Combat Aviation Brigade reside. The other priest is stationed in the International Zone with the 4th BCT and takes care of services throughout Camps Victory, Liberty, and Prosperity. The camps contain the 4th Inf. Div. headquarters, Fires brigade, and other various units that fall under the Multi-National Division " Baghdad banner in Iraq.
Every Monday morning, Quinn departs Camp Taji for the 2nd BCT area of operations. Due to security measures put in place, he doesn't know until Sunday evening where the first stop is and what time they are leaving. He said the travel schedule is the biggest issue Quinn faces on a weekly basis. The inconsistency can make it extremely hard for Soldiers and civilians to be able to make mass every week. One week mass may be held at 10 a.m. and the next week at 3:30 p.m.
When this operation first began, Quinn said, it was not an easy task. Making one or two FOBs was an accomplishment some days; other days allowed for just communion service.
The cooperation of the Kalsu Express personnel has made the mission easier, he added. The Soldiers got on board with Quinn and made the proper travel arrangements throughout Warhorse's area of operations.
Quinn doesn't do it alone. Sgt. Samuel Hess, chaplain assistant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, Combat Avn. Bde., serves as the Soldier behind the scenes to help make the operation a success.
"I am blessed and very fortunate to have such a strong right-hand man," Quinn said. "It's a team effort, and the chaplain cannot function properly without the capable help from the chaplain assistant."
Hess takes care of logistics to and from Camp Taji every week. That is one of the most integral parts of the chaplain's mission, said Quinn. The slightest problem getting out of the camp can spoil an entire Monday for the catholic community.
Hess takes care of setting up the altar for Quinn while he gets dressed for the services, makes sure Quinn's IPOD is set to play music during the service and gets Quinn lunch wherever they are during lunch hours. Not to mention, Hess is Quinn's very own personal security detachment.
"It's great flying over the country from FOB to FOB, seeing the kids waving and then seeing how happy Soldiers are when we arrive for mass," Hess said. "It makes you feel like you have more of a purpose over here."
Quinn joined the Army after a 30-year hiatus from Marine service. He said he heard that some Soldiers and Marines from Operation Iraqi Freedom I had never seen a catholic priest during their deployment and he wanted to do something about that statistic.
"I joined the Army specifically to minister to forward-deployed Soldiers serving in harms way," he said. "4th Inf. Div. was next up in the rotation back to the Sandbox of Iraq, so here I am."
Quinn has served communion to Soldiers and Marines prior to mass because they have had to go on missions and wouldn't be able to attend. On his way to board a helicopter for another FOB, he once gave communion to a Soldier because the Soldier was told the wrong time of the mass and caught up with Quinn seconds before leaving
"Bringing the sacraments to our Soldiers is extremely gratifying and fulfilling work," Quinn said. "Many have to think about their faith in a radically different way under combat conditions."
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2006 11:50 |
| Story ID: | 6088 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 28 |
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