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JBSA News
NEWS | Feb. 22, 2007

National Day of Prayer recognized on base

By Lilly Flores-Janecek 37th Training Wing Public Affairs Office

The Air Force chief of chaplains urged more than 300 Lackland Airmen attending the National Prayer Luncheon Feb. 15 at the Gateway Club to consider the importance of a day and use it wisely.

Drawing from the Fox hit television show "24" and scriptures, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Charles Baldwin emphasized how one day can change a life forever.

"It is amazing what God can do in a day," said Chaplain Baldwin. "What about you and me? How do we make a day count for the good?"

In the show "24," Kiefer Sutherland stars as Special Agent Jack Bauer, who battles terrorism, chemical attacks and torture all in the course of one day.

Chaplain Baldwin said the troubles and trials that affect our lives are real, unlike the troubles his favorite television hero faces.

"Every day we accept not only the personal troubles of life, but also the responsibility of the national and international trouble that each day holds," said Chaplain Baldwin. "We know about trouble and deal with it every day."

The National Prayer Luncheon, according to Chaplain Baldwin, is important because it helps us recognize that we need help dealing with trials and tribulations.

"We need, like every generation before us, the help of God. The good news is he started this with his 'Let there be light,' and he is not leaving us until his plan is finished," according to Chaplain Baldwin.

The chaplain, a former line officer and decorated pilot in Vietnam, praised the Airmen for their service and commitment to others and encouraged them to trust God.

"If we want our day to count for something, we must live it for others. The people in the military do this every day. It's our way of life," said Chaplain Baldwin. "We want this day to count for others."

The interfaith event included a scripture reading from the Islamic tradition by Chaplain (Capt.) Walid Habash, a reading from the Hebrew tradition by Chaplain (Capt.) Raphael Berdugo and a reading from the Christian tradition by Chaplain (Capt.) Regina Samuel.

"We had three faith groups come up and read. This is what makes our country great. This is what makes our Air Force great," said Col. Eric Wilbur, commander of the 37th Training Wing. "Think about what happened here today and who you were sitting around because the diversity that we displayed here is again a great reflection of our country, and it's what makes us great."

The 37th TRW chapel staff organized the local event. The National Prayer Breakfast or Luncheon was established in 1953 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to recognize the moral and the religious values upon which the nation is founded.