LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Every year, Thanksgiving provides Americans the opportunity to come together and give thanks for hearth, health and home. In keeping with tradition, Joint Base Langley-Eustis chaplains united to host the first JBLE Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at the Langley Chapel Nov. 23.
The event marked the first holiday service offered since JBLE's Full Operational Capability in October. To celebrate the unison, Army Chaplain (Col.) Richard Garrison, the 633d Air Base Wing deputy wing chaplain, served as the guest speaker at the service, delivering messages of harmony and hope to more than 70 guests in attendance. He remarked gracefully about his appreciation for the roots of America that exist in Hampton Roads.
"Being here in the birthplace of our nation is amazing," he said. "We're settled in the heart of history. The settlers that landed here are viewed as some of the most underprivileged people in our nation's history."
Chaplain Garrison reasoned that our colonial forefathers possessed drive and credence, and encouraged listeners to adopt the same spirit of ambition moving forward with the expanded JBLE community.
"These people had initiative, courage, willingness to work, and faith in God," he said.
Chaplain (Col.) Frank Yerkes, 633 ABW wing chaplain, humorously expressed his introduction to Army chaplains while introducing Chaplain Garrison, and praised the dedication of the Army's Chaplain Corps.
"I never had much exposure to Army chaplains until I deployed to Iraq in 2004," Chaplain Yerkes said. "Seeing them on the front lines, dirty and tired and carrying gear alongside other warfighters, gave me such an appreciation of what they do. They're truly heroes."
Following the songs and sermons, guests joined chaplains in the Langley Chapel Annex for a pie social to mingle and spread holiday spirit over dessert.
Chaplain (Capt.) Cornelius Johnson, 633 ABW chaplain, expressed his excitement about fostering good will alongside his colleagues at Fort Eustis through the holiday season and beyond.
"This is truly an awesome opportunity to embrace the spirit of the season together," he said. "This is the first of many joint services to come."