AF Chief of Chaplains brings spiritual message to Aviano

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt Brian Wagner
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The Air Force chief of chaplains visited Aviano Jan. 21- 22 to meet with the wing's chapel staff and to speak at the 31st Fighter Wing's annual National Prayer Luncheon.

Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil Richardson was the guest speaker during the luncheon, delivering a message titled "God Shed His Grace on Thee".

More than 220 guests were in attendance to hear the message which focused on the importance of prayer. 

"To this day, both houses of congress are opened in prayer," Chaplain Richardson said. "Over 92 percent of all Americans believe in God and believe in prayer. Ours is a nation that was born in prayer."

The chaplain was invited by Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 31st FW commander, to speak at the event. Aviano's wing chaplain, Lt. Col. Jimmy Browning, said that he knew Chaplain Richardson would be a blessing to those who attended.

"I promised participants their money back for the ticket if they didn't enjoy the message," Chaplain Browning said, "but I knew the guarantee was a safe bet. I had heard Chaplain Richardson before and knew people would enjoy him."

Chaplain Richardson has a story of encouragement he often enjoys sharing with fellow Airmen. He left the Air Force in 1970 after serving four years as an enlisted Russian interpreter.

"(I) was living in my car. I was working nights in a gas station. I was going to college during the day," he said. "My old beat up rusted car was probably worth $35- 40. I had less than $3 of net worth." 

And from that situation, he was able to work his way through college, reenter the Air Force as a chaplain and eventually become the Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

During his time here, he visited Airmen working in the Chaplain Corps and received a tour of the chaplain facilities. He also spent time talking with the staff about how they are ensuring Aviano's population is able to practice their faith.

"Within America's military, the role of the chaplain is to ensure that every American in uniform get's his or her constitutional right to be able to practice faith," said Chaplain Richardson. "When you join the military, you should not lose that right."

The Chaplain Corps accomplishes that mission by providing ministerial services to base personnel and by finding a way for members with other religious beliefs to practice their faith on and off base.

After spending Friday with the chapel staff, Chaplain Richardson continued on his National Prayer events itinerary. For the next three months, he is visiting bases across USAFE and various stateside locations.

For more information about the Air Force Chaplain Corps, visit http://www.usafhc.af.mil/