The Voice for Chaplaincy - Chartered by Congress - Serving Since 1925
Weekly Newsgram - June 7th , 2017
D-Day Remembered

      

   Yesterday many paused to remember the invasion at Normandy some 73 years ago. The invasion was the largest amphibious assault in history. General Eisenhower knew it was a gamble saying, " This operation is not being planned with any alternatives. This operation is planned as a victory, and that's the way it's going to be. We're going down there, and we're throwing everything we have into it, and we're going to make it a success."
    One of the thousands of soldiers who stormed the beach that D-Day in 1944 was Chaplain George Russell Barber. Some report he was one of four chaplains who accompanied the troops ashore during the landing. His was a life of sacrificial service.
   Barber joined the Army in 1941 and was part of the 11th Horse Calvary. When the US was attacked at Pearl Harbor on the 7th of December 1941, he was the youngest chaplain on active duty in the Armed Services. Chaplain Barber served under General George S. Patton as two tank divisions were formed and readied for deployment. He also served with 1,500 African American troops five years prior to Truman's order to integrate the services. 
   From an interview with Mark Ellis shortly before his death in 2004, Barber, remembered he was on a landing craft with 30 soldiers after leaving his transport ship. "When we hit the shore they let down the ramp. I stood in front and led my men off. They were shooting at us all around." Barber further remembered, "Just before we landed I saw a landing ship hit a mine. It blew up and killed all 30 men. They were floating in the water and on the beach." Barber rushed to the wounded and comforted them with verses from scripture.
   Having survived the day Barber was not able to scale the 100-foot cliff to leave the beach that night. He had to dig his own foxhole. He notes, "I prayed as if everything depended on the Lord, and I dug as if everything depended on me. The Lord and me got that foxhole pretty deep."
   In another interview Chaplain Barber went on to state, "War is hell. War is ugly. We pointed our guns in the air and shoot at everything and anything. We need to remember the price we paid for freedom."
   Barber served for another 11 months in the European theater and was present at several other major battles and events. After the war, he served two years in Japan and Korea and was instrumental in helping to rescue 100,000 orphans.
   Chaplain Barber joined the MCA in 1941. He continued to serve until his death in 2004. He sought throughout his service to live a life of love and service to all. In one of his final interviews Chaplain Barber said, "My message to the free world today is 'the truth can set you free!'"
    When we pause to remember days in which the world was changed for the good, may we be humbled by the valor of those who braved the carnage to bring a message of hope. To all the Chaplain Barbers who have served, "Thank you."  

Lyman Smith
Executive Director




Rest In Peace


Chaplain William R. Samuel
CAPT, USN, Retired
Joined MCA 1982
Deceased June 01, 2017
Colorado Springs, CO


CAPT, USN, Retired
Presbyterian Church in America
Deceased August 31, 2016
Escondido, CA



Welcome New Member

Chaplain Samuel Cho
LTJG, CHC, USN
Southern Baptist Convention
FPO, AP


A Personal Story of a Vietnam Veteran Who Lost his Legs but Found His Soul

The Honorable Allen B. Clark received the National Citizenship Award from the Military Chaplains Association in 1993. A graduate of the United States Military Academy in 1963, Mr. Clark's service to his nation has continued faithfully for over six decades. His biography is still available via Amazon and through his website.

Mr. Clark has prepared a Christian tract based on his biography and makes it available to all chaplains at no cost. You may request it directly from him via email - allenbclark@aol.com


Annual MCA Awards and 
National Executive Committee Members

Please make your nominations now for our Annual Awards and NEC. 

Each year we present three awards to deserving individuals who represent the values and principles we embrace and advance as an organization. The three are:

The National Citizenship Award - presented to an individual or individuals  who make a significant contribution in public service and who support the values and needs of our nation's military members and their families.

The G, William Dando Volunteer Service Award  - Our award for volunteer service is named for Chaplain Dando and honors one of our members who exemplifies a life long commitment to sacrificial service.

The David E. White Leadership Award - Presented by the Military Officers Association of America to a chaplain wit a  lifetime commitment and  vision for Joint service, inter-agency collaboration, and overall ministry professionalism.

We also elect four new members to our NEC each year seeking to have all segments of our membership represented on our governing board. 

Please send your nominations and supporting reasons to chaplains@mca-usa.org. Nominations will be received through June 30. Thank you. 


Religion and Spirituality:
The Impact on Chaplains

MCA National Institute 2017
October 23 - 26, 2017
Newport News, Virginia


or call
866-329-1758
ask for Military Chaplains 

MCA Chapter Event

South Carolina Chapter  
June 2017 Meeting


Speaker: Tim Wiles (bio attached)


Luncheon Meeting
Tuesday, June 13th, at 1145
NCO Club, Lee Road, Fort Jackson, SC


Affirmative RSVP Only - 803-751-7316


Visit our  website. There you will be able to update your contact information, joinpay your dues, make donationsfile ministry reports, contact our supporters, read The Military Chaplain magazine and otherwise connect to resources.

If you missed the May 31st  edition of the Newsgram    click here 
SUPPORTING CHAPLAINCY IN AND OUT OF UNIFORM: Active, Retired and Former Chaplains of the  United States Army,  United States Navy,  United States Air Force, Department of  Veterans Affairs, and  Civil Air Patrol

AND THOSE THEY SERVE: military members, veterans, and their families  at home and around the world

The Military Chaplains Association of the USA
(703) 533-5890 | Email | Website
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