JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
For the past 25 years, service members, retirees
and civilians of the Joint Base Langley-Eustis community have met every
Wednesday morning at the Langley Chapel Annex for a bible study group.
Although the bible study group is not run by
chaplains, it is self-sustained and run by fellow bible study members, who also
welcome members of similar faith groups to worship, pray and discuss the bible.
The group also offers the members a
long-lasting bond, as well as strengthens each individual’s ability to remain
resilient through the pillar of spirituality.
According to the co-creator of the group,
retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Dick Able, upon his arrival to Langley Air Force
Base in 1992, he was asked when he could start a bible group similar to the one
he created in Washington D.C. His response was, “not soon enough.”
“Groups of people tend to get together for all kinds
of reasons. This is a group for example, they got together 25 years ago and
said, ‘hey we need to sit down and get to know each other, and what does our
faith mean to us,’” said U.S. Air Force Chaplin (Col.) David Terrinoni. “Anyone
who is in the service for any length of time, knows either you move or they
move, so 25 years, in a very transient population, that is huge.”
Many of the past and current attendees, plan
to attend the anniversary service to celebrate the continued support of the
group.
“This is kind of like a family reunion, we have some
retired senior officers and chiefs who will be coming for this event, and it’s
a family reunion,” said Terrinoni. “Through these groups, life connections are
made. Being a part of a group with common interests and someone who understands
you, cares for you, those groups are what helps us get through ups and downs in
life.”
In commemoration of the study’s 25 year
anniversary, and the continued fellowship and worship of those members, the
Chapel will host a worship service and celebration beginning 6 a.m. Sep. 6,
2017.
The event is open to members with a valid DOD
identification card. For information about the service, contact the Chapel at 764-7847.