There is Still Some Room Up Front

Since arriving, I’ve been impressed with the many things the U.S. military does to make living here as comfortable as possible. From the food, the movies, the Armed Forces Network programming, and Internet accessibility, keeping continuity of a normal lifestyle is important. It removes some of the strangeness and helps keep many routines going that we all have back in the states.

This past Sunday morning, I went to church. And like everything else, they make going to church here as similar to the states as possible. The church itself is comprised of some of the finest materials. The angled ceiling and walls are made of the finest vinyl around. The grand lighting of fluorescent tubes, linked together with extension cords, provides a glow over the congregation.  The pews are constructed of welded tube frames, highly polished, that I’m sure came from Rome.

Even the attendees add to the day by wearing their finest camouflage, and polishing their weapons extra well that morning. The Marine who lifts the most weights in the gym, leads everyone in song. The Air Force Colonel who is straight business seven days a week, takes an hour break and reads. The Army Captian, who typically drives the combat vehicles, takes off the gloves to pass out communion. And the priest who has responsibility for most bases in the area, stands outside the tent in a gravel field wearing a traditional robe and greets everyone coming in, and going out.

The Chaplains office here caters to all religions:  Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Latter Day Saints, Muslim, and they frequently ask people to let them know what is missing, so they can satisfy those individuals too. In a country where religious freedom doesn’t exist, a small patch of gravel in the center of town is open to all.

And since this was a Catholic Mass I went to, there were plenty of open seats in the front. Just like home. 

This is a picture of the base chapel.