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BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - “It all begins with faith in God
and a desire to serve. I am blessed on so many different levels. I
love my family and the ministry I've been given with all my heart,”
said Lt. Col. Ronald Bonomo, a native of Pittsburgh, and currently
assigned as the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) for the 401st Army
Field Support Brigade (AFSB) in Bagram, Afghanistan.
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Lt. Col. Ronald Bonomo, the public affairs officer for the 401st
Army Field Support Brigade, preaches at the pulpit at the 401st Army
Materiel Command Chapel at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 9,
2014. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jarred Woods, 1st Theater Sustainment
Command)
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A 24-year Army veteran, he is no stranger to leading and
mentoring others. Bonomo has deployed in support of Desert
Storm, mentored Army ROTC Cadets for several years at
various colleges around Pittsburgh and is presently
providing support to the nation for Operation Enduring
Freedom.
“My first impression of Lt. Col Bonomo is his dedication to God's will
in his life,” said Staff Sgt. Veronica Johnson, a native of
Flint Michigan and the 401st AFSB Chaplain Assistant.
“He knows what God has called him to do and when it
comes to the word of God he is very passionate, obedient and
always willing to help in the betterment of God's people in
any way possible. Bonomo has his hand to the plow and is
definitely a true servant of the Lord. He also volunteered
to teach Sunday evening services and Bible studies when the
unit chaplain was away on mission.”
Bonomo is
currently assisting with the 401st AFSB Christian
contemporary services and teaching bible study for the 401st
AFSB Chaplain. When asked to assist in the betterment of
God's people Bonomo did not hesitate and filled in to
support immediately.
“When I received the call to
deploy in the summer of 2013, I sensed the Lord had both a
military and spiritual assignment for me,” said Bonomo.
“Even in the midst of a combat zone, I believe God opened a
door for me to serve and minster.”
Bonomo is not your
ordinary soldier; he is also an ordained Christian minister.
Modest and humble, Bonomo doesn't boast about his success in
Afghanistan. Instead, he attributes it all to his Soldiers,
officers and to the Lord. He states “we are simply stewards
of the gifts, talents and abilities given to us.”
“When I first met Minister Ron he was very out spoken about
his mission for the Lord here in Afghanistan,” said Patricia
Hicks, an Elevated Sensors Operator for the 401st AFSB,
here.
“Honestly I thought he was a chaplain, I kept
looking at his uniform for a cross. I was like he is a Lt.
Col. In the U.S. Army and so humble; he has to be a chaplain
as passionate as he is about the Lord. When I found out he
wasn't a chaplain I was in Awe. He is so true to his calling
and he has been a blessing to us all here in the 401st,” she
said.
In 2006, Bonomo made the decision to step out
of Active Duty with over 15 years of service and entered the
Army Reserves.
Bonomo explains, “The Lord led me to step
out of full-time military service and even though many
people did not agree with my decision, I had to follow the
Lord's leading.”
During this time, Bonomo entered
Bible school in Pittsburgh and graduated in two years taking
classes both day and night. He began teaching Bible School
upon graduation and has taught for the past six years.
Clearly, Bonomo's passion is teaching the Word of God and he
likes to use personal testimonies to convey Biblical truths.
When asked what the most important ingredients in
his life were, Bonomo didn't hesitate to respond.
“Faith, family and serving others,” said Bonomo. “I was
raised in the church but I became serious about the Lord in
high school. Since then, I have an eternal perspective on
the earthly life I live and I am determined to seek Christ
more and more.”
Bonomo is a soft spoken family man
who believes he's called to enter the full-time ministry.
“There are seasons to our lives,” said Bonomo.
“Currently, I'm a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army
Reserves, I am mobilized in Bagram, Afghanistan, and I teach
Army ROTC and Bible school in Pittsburgh. As these seasons
come to an end, I believe God will open a door for me to
enter the full-time ministry.”
Bonomo acknowledges
military service is difficult on families but believes their
faith allows them to endure these difficult times. “Susan
and I have been married for 17 year and God has called both
of us to serve,” added Bonomo. “While I'm in Afghanistan,
Susan serves back home taking care of our family and this
represents the sacrifices of so many military families.”
Bonomo is unquestionably a true professional and his
passion and love for God challenges Soldiers, leaders and
professionals to uphold wholesome values and seek
professional brilliance. Bonomo reiterated he's on
assignment in Bagram, Afghanistan, serving not only his
country but living out his faith as well.
He lives by strong values, cares for soldiers and does what it
takes to be the personification of the “Servant Leadership” to those
around him... “It is an honor to represent my country as a soldier,
my family as a father and husband, my state as an educator and most
importantly my God as a Christian,” Bonomo concluded.
By U.S. Army Sgt. Jarred Woods
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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