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Air Force chief of chaplains participates in McConnell event

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  "Where do you find the courage to live?" asked Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil Richardson, U.S. Air Force Chief of Chaplains, during his message at McConnell's National Prayer Breakfast, March 1.

He continued with, "Where do you find the courage to truly give of yourself; where do you find the courage to truly live out the core value of service before self?"

Chaplain Richardson was the keynote speaker at the event. The National Prayer Breakfast is a nationwide event that dates back to 1953 when congressional members wanted to unite leadership to reflect on the nation's founders moral and spiritual values. Chaplain Richardson's visit gave McConnell's Airmen a helping hand.

"Chaplain Richardson helped us recharge our spiritual batteries and strengthen the spiritual pillar of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness by motivating us to tie into the strength of God," said Chaplain (Capt.) Quentin Genke, 22nd Air Refueling Wing protestant chaplain.

The breakfast was a focus event for Air Mobility Command's CAF, a program designed to promote "Airman resilience" and to equip Airmen to deal with the rigors of military life, by using CAF's four pillars of fitness -- mental, physical, social and spiritual.

Chaplain Richardson conveyed the 2011 National Prayer Breakfast theme "Courage in Trouble," a celebration of finding the courage during times of distress and turning to God for help.

"No matter how dark the situation, how brutal the intention of the terrorist or how loud the voices of evil ... no matter how bad it can get or how tempted we are to become discouraged, we need not fear...," said Chaplain Richardson.

His message deeply impacted the more than 265 Airmen in the audience.

"The overall message of encouragement he delivered was amazing," said Airman 1st Class William Smith, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Communication and Navigation technician. "I couldn't take away anything more valuable from [the event] than the message he gave."