Chaplain's Corner (Nov 04)

The 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry (Currahee) Unit Ministry Team (UMT) is led by Chaplain (CPT) Randy Robison and SPC Sean Distefano. We are delighted to inform you of the ministry efforts for the 1-506 IN soldiers. We count it a privilege to perform or provide ministry to our Currahee soldiers while deployed in OIF2. Chaplain Randy Robison leads the Protestant worship services for the Currahee soldiers each week, and SPC Distefano works hard in helping with each Worship Service, Bible study and Fellowship. Together, they make a great ministry team! Chaplain Eric Albertson, our 2nd Brigade Chaplain, convoys in from Ar Ramadi to provide Catholic Mass for our soldiers. The religious needs of our Jewish and Muslim soldiers are provided for as well.

The 1-503 IN Unit Ministry Team has joined in with the 1-506 IN Unit Ministry Team to ensure all of Camp Habbaniyah receives comprehensive religious support. The two UMTs make for a good Forward Operating Base (FOB) ministry team.

Additional areas of ministry CH Robison and SPC Distefano provide for our Currahee soldiers include Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), Crisis Counseling Ministry and Pastoral Care, Computer Automation ministry, Aids Station Visitation Ministry, Moral Decision Making and Team Building. Ministry needs also develop over the course of the deployment. At each turn, the 1-506 IN UMT is present to provide for the ministry needs of all Currahee soldiers. Mid-Tour Integration briefs are the most recent ministry needs provided for our soldiers. At times, Currahee soldiers may need a quiet location to retreat to for solace, prayer, and rest. The Camp Habbaniyah Chapel is such a place. Soldiers can always expect a ready welcome and a fresh cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, as well as a listening ear.

Please continue to pray for all of our Currahee soldiers, as well as all deployed service members deployed in Iraq (OIF3). Our guys are doing an incredible job completing their missions. Please pray daily for their protection, as well as endurance for the duration of the deployment. I also encourage each person back home to send letters and boxes of items that remind our soldiers of home. You will never know how much of a difference news from home means to our soldiers. Please put a letter in the mail today!

Below is a weekly schedule of our Religious Ministries at Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq.

The 1-506 IN Unit Ministry Team (UMT) may be reached on AKO at randal.robison@us.army.mil or sean.distefano@us.army.mil

May God bless you in all things as your continue to pray for our soldiers.