COB BASRA – Army Chief of Chaplains, Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, met with chaplains and chaplain’s assistants from throughout Multi-National Division South at Contingency Operating Base Basra Nov. 23, on his tour of Iraq.
He is taking the Thanksgiving tour to commemorate the 100th anniversary of chaplain’s assistant as a Military Occupational Specialty and deliver a message of appreciation to service members.
“I’ve been going throughout Iraq visiting Soldiers, specifically our chaplains and chaplain’s assistants, to bring a word of encouragement,” Carver said, “To thank them for serving our great nation during a time of war, and to let them know that they remain in our thoughts and our prayers.”
“Also, it gives me an opportunity to give a professional update for our chaplains and chaplain’s assistants to let them know strategically where we are going as an army and as a chaplaincy,” he added.
Carver expressed his appreciation for the Army Chaplain Corps and the role it plays in bringing “encouragement and strength, comfort, and hope” to Soldiers.
“Especially if they see our chaplains who are non-combatants standing in a hostile environment,” he said, “It has to give them encouragement that, regardless of where our Soldiers go, wherever there are boots on the ground, there will be a chaplain or chaplain’s assistant near, reminding them to have courage, that God is with them in peace or in war, when there is danger or no danger.” Carver then spoke with pride about the work the chaplain’s assistants do, and how they allow Soldiers to observe their faith wherever they go.
“One of the greatest examples of what our chaplain’s assistants do is set the conditions for our Soldiers to worship in accordance with their faith, practice, and tradition,” he said, “I’d like to thank our Soldiers for their sacrificial and selfless service to our nation during a time of war. They are doing a magnificent job and in the 234 years of our history, no one’s done any better. I am so proud of them and their families.”
And what is the general most thankful for this season? In two words, his family.
“I’m most thankful, first of all, for my faith in my God,” he said, “Secondly, I am thankful for my own family, my wife and children who have been with me. And I am thankful to have been called as a chaplain in the military,” he said. “If I can’t be home for Thanksgiving and holidays, then I am with my brothers and sisters who wear the Army uniform.”
