Thursday, June 20, 2013

Articles

Kaiserslautern Military Community hosts memorial to Fr. Emil Kapaun

Saturday, 06 April 2013 10:55 Written by Staff Sgt. Alexander Burnett

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – There is a bust of his likeness, a statue in the middle of an Air Force Administrative Annex in the Kaiserslautern Military Community in faraway Germany, an ocean away from his hometown roots and a continent away from where he is buried in an unmarked grave. The face and shoulder representation is meant as a reminder of the namesake, often overlooked and rarely thought upon from a long ago war referred to as the ‘forgotten war.’

The statue briefly describes his actions as a member of the Headquarters Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division to memorialize his selfless accolades in life, and captivity in a North Korean prisoner of war camp. This man, U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Father Emil J. Kapaun (pronounced K-pawn), will be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, April 11. According to the U.S. Army, Father Kapaun’s extraordinary courage, faith and leadership inspired thousands of prisoners to survive hellish conditions, resist enemy indoctrination, and retain their faith in God and country.

Camp Leatherneck Easter

Saturday, 06 April 2013 10:11 Written by Sgt Ned Johnson

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan— A new chaplain had just been assigned to a Marine infantry unit in Vietnam in 1967 when his unit was ambushed. At one point, a young Marine fell mortally wounded. The chaplain ran to his side to offer the man last rites. As the chaplain said his prayers, the man looked up at him and said, “Thank you, Father. I was an altar boy.” The Marine died less than ten minutes later.

This is the story Capt. Francis Foley, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing chaplain, heard from the Naval Academy chaplain when he visited the school as a young parish priest in 1983. From that point forward, Foley knew he wanted to be a Navy chaplain so he, too, could have the opportunity to provide services to personnel on the front lines of combat.

FOB Shank, Afghanistan Easter 2013

Friday, 05 April 2013 22:58 Last Updated on Friday, 05 April 2013 23:04 Written by Staff Sgt. Elvis Umanzor

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHANK, Afghanistan – Many Christian U.S. military service members and civilians attended various Easter services on Forward Operating Base Shank in Eastern Afghanistan, March 31. There were many religious services throughout the week known as Holy Week, believed by Christians to be the week before Jesus Christ was crucified and then died. The services on Easter Sunday commemorated his resurrection.

The services throughout the week included Catholic and Protestant services and events like the Lord's Last Supper services on Thursday. Good Friday services were followed by a showing of the movie “The Passion of the Christ” on Friday. Easter vigils, or late services, were held Saturday.

Korean War Chaplain, Fr Emil Kapaun, to Receive MOH

Friday, 05 April 2013 14:56 Last Updated on Friday, 05 April 2013 23:13 Written by Jacqueline Hames

[Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series on World War II and Korean War chaplain Capt. Emil Kapaun, who will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony, April 11, 2013.] Pilsen is a small farm community in Marion County, Kansas. Populated with families of primarily Czech and German decent, the heart of the community is a 98-year-old Catholic church. The church, which sits just around the corner from an old, abandoned gas station, is well preserved, it’s stained glass windows still glowing bright. The people in Pilsen are dedicated to their church, not simply because of their faith, but also because of a Soldier-priest who called the church and the town his home.

Capt. Emil Kapaun served as an Army chaplain during World War II and the Korean War. He earned the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Service Cross, which will be officially upgraded to a Medal of Honor April 11, 2013, for his heroic actions in Korea. Known as a “Soldier’s chaplain,” by the men he served, throughout his life Kapaun was devoted to the service of others.

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