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JBSA News
NEWS | Jan. 4, 2021

IMCOM professional receives award from Army chief of chaplains

By Brittany Nelson U.S. Army Installation Management Command Public Affairs

Melanie Reagin, U.S. Army Installation Management Command G9, received the Order of Aaron and Hur from Lt. Gen. Douglas Gabram, IMCOM’s commanding general Headquarters IMCOM at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Dec. 10 for her assistance in the creation of the online Digital Giving system for the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps.  

“To say that we are proud of Melanie is an understatement,” said Paul Burk, IMCOM G9, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation director. “The IMCOM Chaplain came to G9 when the COVID-19 pandemic started and told us they had congregants who wanted to donate but could not due to the cancelation of in-person services. I knew Melanie was the perfect person to field this online giving program.”

IMCOM G9 already had an online donation application set up for their operations, Burk said. Reagin worked with Master Sgt. Andrew Hagemann, IMCOM master religious affairs noncommissioned officer, on the development of the giving platform for congregants to use globally.

Among the attendees of the awards ceremony was the Army Chief of Chaplains, Maj. Gen. Thomas Solhjem, who approved the order for Reagin to receive.

“On behalf of the entire Army Chaplin Corps, thank you for going above and beyond and being committed to those we serve and their families,” Solhjem said. “We are honored to be able to bestow this award to you. This award has been given out guardedly.”

The Order of Aaron and Hur, created in 1974, is the oldest Chief of Chaplains award and Reagin is the first IMCOM professional to receive it.

“The Chief of Chaplains said it and it resonates; this award is really special,” Gabram said. “It is about a lifelong time of giving. Thank you and your family for your service and dedication of more than 20 years at IMCOM.”

Reagin said she was shocked at the level of the award and she is honored. She also said she wouldn’t have been able to get the job done without Hagemann’s driving force.

“Taking care of Soldiers and their Families is a passion of mine,” Reagin said. “It is a pleasure to serve the Army community.”

The Order of Aaron and Hur is named for the biblical account recorded in the book of Exodus where warriors of Amalek came to fight against the people of Israel and Rephidim.

Moses instructed Joshua to issue a call to arms to the Israelites to fight the army of Amalek. Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up the rod in his hands, Israel prevailed, but whenever he rested his arms at his sides the soldiers of Amalek prevailed. Moses’ arms finally became too tired to hold up the rod any longer; so Aaron and Hur rolled a stone for him to sit on, and they stood on each side holding up his hands until sunset. As a result, Joshua and his troops overcame the army of Amalek. 

The Order recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the spiritual welfare of the men and women of the U.S. Army and have supported the work of the chaplains through their own service.