Deployed Chaplains witness miracles provided from afar

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Clare
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq --  Air Force Chaplains are accustomed to seeing miracles. However, something occasionally happens that is so extraordinary, it makes them pause to reflect.

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Steven E. West, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain, was making his rounds in the intensive care unit at the Air Force Theater Hospital here Oct. 3 when a wounded Iraqi soldier held a pink card and motioned for him.

"A little girl named Shawna from somewhere in the United States had taken the time to sit down and put a crayon on a piece of paper. She had no idea when she was doing it if it would ever even reach anyone. But it did. Now, without that child even knowing, it's changing the life of an Iraqi," Chaplain West said. "It touched my heart. It's a case where a simple act of kindness made all the difference in the world."

The card read:
"Dear Iraq Soldiers,
I hope you will feel better. And I hope you and the others are safe and that your familys (sic) are ok! Because I am praying that NO one will die.
Yours truly
Shawna"

The Iraqi soldier was thankful to get it.

According to Chaplain West, the chaplain team's mission at the hospital is to provide for the spiritual needs of the staff and all patients -- regardless of their beliefs or nationalities. They respond to every medical emergency in the hospital and support caregivers who are burdened by the trauma they witness.

Chaplain (Maj.) Cliff Short, the senior chaplain at the hospital, said special attention is provided for people suffering and encountering trauma.

"We are here for everybody. Our goal here is to facilitate the free exercise of religion," said Chaplain Short. "There's been more than one occasion where I've been present for a version of last rites for an Iraqi citizen who was expectant -- who was ready to pass from this life to the next."

"In those instances, I find myself, as a Baptist, praying over the body of an Iraqi citizen -- praying for their soul as they depart from this life to the next. It is difficult to see anyone pass, but foremost, we honor their traditions and faith."

In those cases, the chaplain said he calls upon an Arabic interpreter to pray with the dying patient. To honor that individual's faith, he remains and recites a Muslim prayer to himself in English.

Chaplain Short said he requested the busiest hospital in Iraq for duty because of the challenges and rewards it presents.

"I couldn't think of a better, more relevant place to serve as an Air Force chaplain," said the major. "This is the pinnacle of what it means to be a chaplain and there's no place I'd rather serve."

For Chaplains West and Short, the opportunity to provide comfort and strength is inspiring. And inspiring events that occur -- like seeing a wounded Iraqi enjoying the gift of compassion -- make every moment of their deployment worthwhile. 

At Whiteman Air Force Base, the service and ministry that has been provided to troops by Chaplain West is duly noted.

"Chaplain West typifies the ministry and the uniqueness of the military chaplaincy," said Chaplain (Maj.) Robert Phillips, 509th Bomb Wing, "We have the great privilege to 'walk with' and provide for the spiritual needs of our troops wherever they are in the world."


(Staff Sgt. Rob Hazelett contributed to this article)