Air Force's Chief of Chaplains celebrates National Prayer Dinner at Grand Forks

Published Jan. 25, 2011
By 2nd Lt. Jessica Tait
319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Chaplain Maj. Gen. Cecil R. Richardson, Air Force Chief of Chaplains, was the guest speaker for the National Prayer Dinner Gala, "Celebrating Courage through the Dark Times," here Jan. 21.

The National Prayer event is sponsored by the U.S. Senate and House Prayer Groups to bring leadership together in the recognition of the values upon which our nation is founded.

"Every year, bases all around the country and even overseas have National Prayer events. This year we elected to have a dinner to honor Chaplain Richardson's theme of courage and trouble," said Staff Sgt. Jacqulyn Owens, 319th Air Refueling Wing chapel staff.

The theme "Celebrating Courage through the Dark Times," was emphasized through video interviews of Airmen who have experienced misfortune in their lives.

"There are folks in this wing that have gone through cancer, marital issues, long deployments, disciplinary issues, rifts and all sorts of dark times," said Chaplain Lt. Col. Gerald Snyder, 319th Air Refueling Wing chapel staff. "So the idea is to celebrate the courage we have among us and to share that with those who have already gone through or will be going through the dark times."

Chaplain Richardson addressed the audience with words and wisdom about prayer and praying for our nation.

"Trips like these really lift my spirits and give me a chance to get away from the Pentagon. I have been to every base in the Air Force, so after a while you begin to realize that geography really isn't the issue, it all comes down to people and what people need is to be encouraged. We have a lot of fragile people and they really need encouragement," expressed Chaplain Richardson.

The gala featured prayer readings from a myriad of different faith groups to provide an all encompassing event for the base. It was an opportunity for Airmen to get dressed up in their cocktail attire, socialize and listen to the live music of Johnny Holliday.

"It's great to get together in an informal atmosphere where you get to introduce people by their first name and not by their rank. Even tonight, I have met a lot of people that I don't think I ever would have. On a base this small it is great to know as many people as possible," said 1st Lt. Jonathan Barnes, 319th Air Refueling Wing Contracting Squadron.