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www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin High Desert Warrior 9
August 5, 2016
Army Values
Happy 241st anniversary of the Chaplain Corps
By Mr. Jin Sang Woo Continental Congress authorized one chap- and seven members of the Chaplain Corps
lain for each regiment of the Continental have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
(IMCOM) regiments. Many military regiments counted
USAG YONGSAN - e Unit Ministry chaplains among their ranks. During the celebration, participants
Team (UMT) and Chaplains of Area II received lunch and small game sets. A
gathered July 29, at the South Post Chapel Since the Independence War, chaplains cake-cutting concluded the event.
of U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan to celebrate have served in every American war. Over that
the 241st anniversary of the Chaplain Corps. period, the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps has “It’s been already a year since I worked
“As long as armies have existed, military evolved, with the addition of Roman Catholic as a Korean Augmentation to the United
chaplains have served alongside soldiers, chaplains in the MexicanWar, and Jewish and States Army (KATUSA) chaplain assistant
providing for their spiritual needs, working African American chaplains during the Civil here at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan. is
to improve morale, and aiding the wounded,” War. e position of chaplain assistant was is my second time celebrating the Chaplain
said Capt. Lee W. Chae, Chaplain of Head- created to support the work of chaplains. In Corps anniversary,” said Cpl. Kim Hak-
quarters and Headquarters Battalion, Eighth January 1979, the Army commissioned its sung, Religious A airs Specialist, HHC.
Army. “ e Bible tells of the early Israelites rst female chaplain. Today, more than 2700 “ is anniversary means a lot to me. First of
bringing their priests into battle with them. chaplains serve the total Army representing all, personally, this was the last anniversary
Pagan priests accompanied the Roman legions 140 di erent religious organizations. event before my ETS. So I paid full atten-
during their conquests. As Christianity be- tion to learning the history of the Chaplain
came the predominant religion of the Roman While their duties are primarily focused Corps, which made me respect the elders
Empire, Christian chaplains administered to on spiritual and moral issues, many chaplains who served in the Chaplain Corps. I’m
Roman soldiers. In fact, the word chaplain is have also demonstrated tremendous bravery. proud of myself as a chaplain assistant.”
derived from cappa, the Latin word for cloak.”
According to Capt. Lee, the U.S. Army ere are many stories of chaplains adminis- Capt. Lee nished his remarks by say-
Chaplain Corps is the one of the oldest and tering the last rites to fallen soldiers, oblivious ing, “ e Chaplain Corps will continue
smallest branches of the Army. e Chaplain to the re around them, or dashing out into to be a vital part of the United States
Corps dates back to July 29, 1775, when the the open to rescue the wounded without any Army as long as there are Soldiers in
regard for their own lives. Nearly 300 Army uniform serving this great nation. Pro
chaplains have laid down their lives in battle, Deo Et Patira, For God and Country.”
For more information go to www.irwin.army.mil
