USA Patriotism! ... "Showcasing Pride of America"USA Store! ... American / Patriotic themed gift products at USA Patriotism!

Home - Articles - USA's Birth - Great Patriots - Heroes - Honor Halls - Music - Photos
Poems - Quotes - Reference - Speeches - Stars for Troops - Stories - Student Patriots
Videos - New Content
- About - Contact - Submit - Press
- CureNow - Donate
- Privacy

Click Here To Google Search
 For USA Patriotism! Content
USA Patriotism! YouTube Channel Join / Like the USA Patriotism! Facebook pagePinterestLinkedInUSA Patriotism! Instagram ChannelUSA Patriotism! On TwitterUSA Patriotism! at Flickr

Patriotic Article
Military

Collectibles, apparel, and other gifts ... for Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and veterans! Checks with USA, military, and other patriotic designs Free Gifts from The Bradford Exchange Online

A Chaplain's Unwavering Dedication To His Soldiers
by Army Staff Sgt. Kristen Duus - March 27, 2013

Telescoping flagpole with free American Flag

USA, military, and other patriotic themed pullover and button down Polo shirts

Tough Tex American Flags

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Soldiers of the 501st Brigade Support Battalion take an extra step prior to conducting patrols.

Chaplain (Capt.) Ronnie Irwin, 501st Brigade Support Battalion, and a native of Clinton, Miss., prays for soldiers of Headquarters Headquarters Company, 501st BSB prior to a patrol, March 9, 2013. Irwin has attended nearly every convoy brief since arriving in Afghanistan to pray for soldiers. Photo by ARmy Staff Sgt. Jason Ragucci
Chaplain (Capt.) Ronnie Irwin, 501st Brigade Support Battalion, and a native of Clinton, Miss., prays for soldiers of Headquarters Headquarters Company, 501st BSB prior to a patrol, March 9, 2013. Irwin has attended nearly every convoy brief since arriving in Afghanistan to pray for soldiers. Photo by ARmy Staff Sgt. Jason Ragucci

Up to three times a day, Chaplain (Capt.) Ronnie Irwin, a native of Clinton, Miss., attends every convoy brief to deliver a prayer for the soldiers preparing to conduct their missions.

“I pray for all of the convoys before they roll out,” said Irwin. “I meet with them at the convoy brief and they always give me an opportunity to pray for them.”

Irwin, who, like many deployed soldiers, works upwards of 18 hours a day, has attended nearly every convoy brief at FOB Walton since he arrived.

“These are my soldiers,” said Irwin. “I see that it reminds them of God's presence as they go outside the wire. I have soldiers that come to me and tell of situations that they've averted, dangers that they've been able to avoid.”

Many of these soldiers credit these aversions to the chaplain's pre-convoy prayer.

“A lot of them attribute it to the fact that they've been prayed for before they go out,” said Irwin.

The chaplain's office does more than just provide prayer for soldiers, though. They also provide overall religious support for the FOB, consisting of nearly 1,800 soldiers.

“We provide worship study opportunities, bible study opportunities and we also run a troop store,” said Irwin.

The troop store has proven to be a valuable commodity for the soldiers at Walton, seeing on average 100 soldiers a day.

“We get several care packages in a week and we let them come through and utilize it for whatever they need,” said Spc. Samantha Lewis, the chaplain's assistant for 501st BSB, and a native of Pleasantville, Penn. “We have things such as hygiene products, Girl Scout cookies, we have all sorts of snacks and things of that nature."

By Army Staff Sgt. Kristen Duus
Provided through DVIDS
Copyright 2013

Comment on this article

USA Gifts Store! ... over 1,000 American / Patriotic themed products at USA Patriotism! USA / Americana theme ... polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, hats, caps, swimwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, jackets, under garments, and other apparel items American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft