Posted on 12/26/2008 7:56:55 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26, 2008 After nearly seven months of holding religious services in conference rooms, the Army Strikers at Forward Operating Base War Eagle in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad christened their new chapel with a Christmas Eve candlelight service Dec. 24, 2008.
Soldiers from all over the northern Adhamiyah base, nestled against the Tigris River, chipped in to build the new chapel that couldnt otherwise be completed before March, said Capt. Aaron Swartz chaplain for the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. It was absolutely phenomenal to open up the new chapel on Christmas Eve, he said. I started off (the service) by blessing the chapel from this day forward. Built of plywood and 2-by-4's, the chapel has no windows and only one pew for now, but folding chairs were brought in to accommodate the more than 30 worshipers for the first service, which was held at 9:30 p.m. A second service was held at 11 p.m. Some of the worshipers attended both. After his prayer for the chapel, Swartz kicked off the service by explaining the significance of the candles of the Advents Wreath while Maj. William Chip Nicholas, 3rd BCTs chaplain, lit each candle in turn, hope, love, joy, peace and the Christ candle. The gift of a new chapel wasnt the only Christmas treat for the soldiers of War Eagle. The Brigade Religious Support Team and a few talented soldiers practiced for weeks prior to the Christmas Eve opening to lead worshipers in a round of traditional carols. Spc. Jerrod Fox is used to playing his 6-string for his hometown church and was a natural to back up lead singers: Spc. Dale Harris, a 3rd BCT information systems specialist, and 1st Lt. Ivan Lugo, an unmanned aerial vehicle platoon leader. It felt really nice, said Fox, an unmanned aerial vehicle operator for 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. It felt good to give something to lift holiday spirits. Following Swartz New Testament reading from Luke, the harsh white florescent lights of the chapel went out, leaving the solid plywood structure illuminated in the soft yellow glow of more than 30 candles handed out to worshipers at the beginning of the service. Fox strummed his guitar and the service was concluded with a modest rendition of Silent Night. The double doors swung open and candle toting worshipers filed out shaking hands and handing out hugs wishing a Merry Christmas to all.
(Army Maj. Mike Humphreys is with 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad) |
Related Sites: Multinational Force Iraq |
||
|
WAR EAGLE!!!!!
Do I see the fine hand of Auburn's ROTC grads over there? WAR EAGLE, INDEED!!!!!
Keep me on, SandRat.
Some were away from their families on Christmas so others could be with theirs. God bless all of you guys. We love you!
You are on FRWN.
Just like the first ever performance of the carol, when the organ was broken, and the only accompaniment was a guitar.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.