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***image1***Chaplain (Col.) James May, the Installation Management Command Chaplain for the European Region, had a reminder for those attending the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 23 at the Armstrong Community Club on Vogelweh Housing in Kaiserslautern.
“I have the joy of reminding you today that God cares about you,” said Chaplain May, during his message as the guest speaker. “He knows all about the depths of despair and sorrow you are going through.”
Sorrow such as, Chaplain May said, the loss of life, limb and friends.
“Folks, there is no doubt in my mind that we sometimes need what only God can give to us,” he said. “That is the purpose of our gathering here today – to seek the face of Him who alone has been our help in ages past and our hope for years to come.”
Since 1951, members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have annually hosted the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. The first Presidential Prayer breakfast was held in 1953 with then President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
During 1970, the name of the prayer breakfast was changed to the National Prayer Breakfast, and has since become an annual tradition in the U.S., usually held in Washington, D.C., the first Thursday in February. Dates for this traditional prayer breakfast generally vary in cities nationwide and U.S. military installations throughout the world.
Melissa Simmons, the garrison’s command secretary, attended Kaiserslautern’s National Prayer Breakfast and said she was especially impressed with Chaplain May’s message.
“It’s important to be reminded about God’s love for us, especially now,” she said. “And, I enjoyed his stories about his personal experiences and how his faith in God kept him going through tough times.”
The National Prayer Breakfast is a part of the Kaiserslautern garrison’s chaplain programs every year, said Chaplain (Maj.) James Drake, the garrison’s deputy staff chaplain and project officer for this event.
“It’s (National Prayer Breakfast) a way to reinforce that we are never alone,” said Chaplain Drake. “When we serve our nation, we not only have our battle buddies, but we also have our God with us.”
More than 200 KMC members, representing all U.S. military branches, attended the two-hour event.
“Look out into the audience and you see all the uniforms, civilians, contractors and local nationals – it’s just a wonderful reflection of the Army and the Department of Defense at its finest,” said Chaplain May, after the event.
Chaplain May assumed the duties as the IMCOM-E Chaplain in January 2006.
Music at the Kaiserslautern event was provided by the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Protestant Worship Team. Chaplains throughout the KMC gave the invocation and benediction and a prayer for Soldiers and their families.
