Chaplains Honor The Dead

One of the roles of a chaplain is to honor the dead.  A fallen American Service-Person is a great loss to his or her fellows, military unit, family, friends, and country.  In the process of grieving and honoring our fallen heroes, the chaplain has the calling, honor, and great responsibility of being there for the fallen’s comrades.  The chaplain is also there to care for the family who have just lost a person more important to them than anyone else.
When a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, or Airman loses his or her life, the chaplain is one of the first people contacted.  The chaplain is on call now to pray over the body.  On the casualty card, the chaplain has a place on the back to sign and date when he came to honor the dead.  This often unknown name becomes very important to the family back home.  The chaplain will then be there to care for those who survive their friend downrange.  He is their counselor, their sounding-board, their mediator of comfort.  He will also work with the NCO staff to conduct a memorial service.  He will speak, pray, and lead others in a formal bereavement in a uniquely military style.
That chaplain, or another, will be there to pray and escort the body onto the plane for the journey home.  Another chaplain back in the states will be there to pay the same tribute in bringing the body off the plane and transporting it for a funeral.  Often a chaplain will be there for the funeral as well.  Back home, during this time, there are those in Rear Detachment who knew the deceased.  There, a memorial service is being conducted by a chaplain.  A chaplain may be there for the burial if requested by the family.  He is sometimes the one to present the flag to the closest surviving relative.
The chaplain is also the one who comes to the door, dressed in his Class A uniform, along with an ranking NCO or Officer to inform the family that their Service-Person has passed away in the course of duty.  The chaplain is first there as a source of strength, encouragement, and stability for the notifying officer who must say the words that break a mother’s or wife’s heart.  He is also the comforter, the caretaker, and the bringer of hope for the family who have just received the news they feared the most.  Sometimes he is also chosen to receive the family’s frustration, anger, and hurt on behalf of the United States Armed Forces, and in some cases, on behalf of God himself.  In these times, the chaplain is there as a “bullwark never failing,” in my case, as a representative of the enduring love of Jesus Christ.
Our military families and service-people need chaplains of character, of mettle.  This is not a glory-filled role.  We don’t get Medals of Honor.  We don’t do the risk-your-life-and-irradicate-the-enemy jobs.  We do something much quieter, but absolutely essential.  It is a job for those who are truly dependent on the Lord.  It is a role for those who are called to selflessly serve others.
Do you think you are called to the chaplaincy?
Andre Ong,Military Missiologistchaplainong@gmail.com