Posted on 04/18/2006 4:28:18 PM PDT by SandRat
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (Army News Service, April 18, 2006) – As the sun rose over Baghdad on Easter morning, April 16, 250 Task Force Baghdad Soldiers gathered for a sunrise worship service on the shores of an artificial lake built during Saddam Hussein’s reign.
“This is the day we look forward to all year,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James White, Task Force Baghdad chaplain. “Yes, there’s a risk involved in coming out here to hold a service by the lake, but my message to those who have gathered here today is that we have freedom of worship. I’m just thankful to be back here in Iraq worshipping the Lord on this beautiful day.”
As the Soldiers sat in rows of chairs in front of Task Force Baghdad headquarters and bowed their heads in prayer, two Blackhawk helicopters flew low overhead, a reminder that the Operation Iraqi Freedom mission still continued outside the secure boundaries of the U.S. camp.
After scripture reading and hymns played by the Task Force Baghdad Band, Chaplain (Col.) Glenn Bloomstrom, from the Department of the Army’s Office of the Chief of Chaplains, delivered a special “dialogue sermon” with his co-worker Chaplain (Maj.) Maury Stout, focusing on the freedoms Soldiers enjoy, even in the midst of a combat zone.
“How many of you dog-face Soldiers are glad to know that Jesus is alive?” Bloomstrom asked the congregation. “If you are, give me a big hooah.”
The early-morning lakeside stillness was broken by an enthusiastic rendering of the all-purpose Army shout from more than 200 Soldiers celebrating their Easter tradition 2,000 from home.
“It was a good message and a beautiful site to hold a service,” said Sgt. Maj. James Bennett, Task Force Baghdad G-6 sergeant major. “I think everyone got something out of it.
“Services like this help foster camaraderie among Soldiers, he added. “Just being here brings everyone closer to each other and to the Lord.”
Inter-denominational sunrise services were offered at the various forward operating bases throughout Iraq. Services were also conducted the previous week for the Jewish Passover and for the Christian holidays of Palm Sunday, Holy (Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday and Easter.
(Editor's note: Sgt. 1st Class David Abrams works for the Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs Office.)
Duty to GOD!
Well, Hooah!, actually.
Good find, Sand.....glad they were able to have sunrise services. God bless our Military.
BTTT
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