Dyess Prayer Breakfast

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chelsea Browning
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Continuing a national tradition established in 1953 by members of the Senate, House of Representatives, prayer groups and President Eisenhower, Dyess Air Force Base observed the National Prayer Breakfast April 14 at the Heritage Club here.

The breakfast was led by Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) David Cyr, Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains.

While he joked saying a beer label must have been named after Samuel Adams for his idea of introducing prayer as the start of congressional meetings, Chaplain Cyr was serious about the nation's continuing need for intervention since its forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence.

Chaplains are no different than many in today's military when it comes to deployment rates. Chaplain Cyr noted a unique part of this year's breakfast was that America completed another year at war, fighting in two areas of the world.

"What military chaplains do goes back to the First Amendment rights," said Chaplain Cyr. "We are involved in providing and protecting that right to worship freely. It's important for commanders to make that opportunity and more important than that, it's important that people of faith be strengthened in that faith."

This was described as "spiritual care," something base chapels provide no matter what faith a person is associated with.

"Regardless of location, it's challenging to be in the military today," said Chaplain Cyr. "We are so busy, demand is great and ops tempo is high. Prayer is critically important to help Airmen and families cope with stress. They perform a mission so vital to everything we have as a nation. Daily they renew that commitment to protect the freedoms we know and respect as Americans."

For this reason, the chaplain said America has been prosperous; because they have received much blessing, they also bless others.

"This year I want to let Airmen know God is in their corner and they are appreciated," Chaplain Cyr stated about the breakfast being an opportunity to remind the military community how important they are. "Team Dyess has risen to the challenge. God is in their corner and so am I. I know they'll be successful."