Deputy Chief of Chaplains speaks at National Prayer Breakfast

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess celebrated the National Prayer Breakfast at the Heritage Club March 6, featuring the Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains. 

Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) Cecil Richardson hailed from Washington, D.C., for the breakfast, which was instituted by the Senate and House of Representatives in 1942 and has been a military and government event since 1953. 

"The purpose of this National Prayer Breakfast is to pray for our nation, our leaders, our units, and most importantly ourselves," Chaplain Richardson said. "Our nation was founded by praying people, and it's important for us to uphold that tradition. America as a country is neutral in regard to a proclaimed national religion; however, it is not neutral toward God. 'In God We Trust' is written on our money. People came to America to practice religion freely, and that's what we celebrate today. The opportunity we have to be men and women of faith is an integral part of being Americans." 

After Hebrew, Islamic and Christian scripture reading and prayer, Chaplain Richardson opened his message with a revised rendition of Psalm 23, which used aircraft terminology instead of shepherd-like metaphors. His personal antic dotes brought his faith home to the military audience. 

"The reason for the military is to protect and defend our constitutional right to exercise freedom of religion," Chaplain Richardson said. "We (chaplains) are passionate that Americans should have the freedom to practice their faith, and it's a chaplain's role to provide for all religious needs in the military. We have 80-90 declared faith groups that we are responsible for." 

He personally spoke as a Christian chaplain, explaining that his responsibility is to lead Christian worship (symbolized by the cross he wears above his ribbon rack). However, there are inter-denominational and inter-faith chaplains designated to various other religions, such as Judaism and Islam. 

"It is my role to be a pastor to Christians, and a chaplain to all," he said. 

He said spiritual readiness in the military is as important as mental, emotional and physical readiness. 

"I was in Nairobi, Kenya, when the embassy there was bombed," Chaplain Richardson said. "I saw first-hand the importance of having a spiritual foundation to stand on. If we don't have a spiritual foundation, we will crumble when tough times come." 

Chaplain Richardson said he was delighted to be at Dyess. 

"I love Texas, I love Abilene, I love Dyess, and I love the Lord," he said. "It's my privilege to be here to speak today."