Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

33 American chaplain officers joined according to “task exchange agreement” signed in May
Visited the service area in the middle of the night and prayed … well-received by soldiers

 

 

 

Korean and U.S. chaplain officers conducted a combined religious support activity for all of the units in general outpost(GOP). It was the first time for all of them to visit the entire unit in GOP at the same time.

 

This activity was carried out for two days beginning July 7, as part of the Korea-U.S. religious task exchange agreement signed in May. This ROK-U.S. Combined Religious Support Activity was attended by Chief of Staff Chaplain Thomas Wheatley, 8th U.S. Army, and 33 American chaplain officers and religious administrative officers.

 

The U.S. religious soldiers took part in religious activities with Korean officers such as visiting remote posts, humanistic education at a picket, etc., in accordance with plans by division. In addition, they visited nighttime soldiers at GOP to encourage them, and were well-received by carrying out “religious activities centering on soldiers and field”, such as education about a view of life and death for small units.

 

One of the GOP soldiers, 25th Division, said, “Thank you to the American chaplain officer for visiting here late at night and praying for me. I feel so reassured and appreciate that there is someone who prays for me.”

 

“It was a new experience to listen to an American chaplain. And I could feel his sincerity, especially when he was moved to tears telling me about Korean young men’s efforts to protect the freedom of Korea,” said the Chief of Staff Chaplain, 1st Division, who participated in the humanistic education at a picket.

 

Korean-American minister, Major Yu Cheon-seok, who visited the 7th Army Division, said, “I became aware of security situation surrounding Korea through this time. I’ll share this with my fellow soldiers.”

 

An official of the religious department, Army Headquarters, said, “It was a meaningful time for all Korean and American chaplain officers to pray for the reunification of Korea at the 155-mile GOP units for the 70th anniversary of the division.” And Chaplain Wheatley said, “Korean and American chaplain officers visiting the front together is a symbolic e-x-p-r-e-s-s-i-o-n that both sides’ religious departments go together with soldiers. I hope to invigorate religious support centering on soldiers and field through regular Korea-U.S. combined religious activities.”

 

 

By Yeong-Sun, Lee < vs119@dema.mil.kr >
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