Members of communities of all faiths celebrate National Day of Prayer at Fort Drum
mike strasser
Fort Drum Garrison Public Relations
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (May 2, 2024) – Members of the Fort Drum community gather at The Fort Drum community to share food, fellowship, and the power of collective prayer during a National Day of Prayer luncheon on May 2. gathered within the peak.
The Fort Drum Religious Support Office team hosted the luncheon, which included prayers for the nation, military, houses of worship, and families.
The Rev. Baron Wester, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Chaplain (Lt. Col.), asked participants to think about the “good old days” and how problems seem to disappear over time. Ta.
“It’s funny how we have this longing for the good old days, this nostalgia for the old days,” he said. “When I look back on the past, I often only remember the good things.”
Some people talk about better times without having lived through them themselves.
“There’s a word for it: anemia,” Wester says. “It means feeling nostalgic for a time and place you’ve never experienced. The problem is that you can’t quite grasp what’s going on.”
Wester said it’s tempting to ignore the problems of the past and only remember the positives. But the truth is that no one has lived a life without problems, whether personally, socially, nationally or globally.
“And sometimes you see us old soldiers talking about the good old days when we didn’t have the problems we have today,” he said. “But if you take off the rose-colored glasses, resist this temptation to reminisce about the good old days, and look into it, you will quickly find that today’s problems are not new.”
During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington was concerned about moral conduct within the Continental Army. He appointed chaplains to deal with immorality within the ranks.
On opposing sides of the Civil War, a popular song called “Soldier’s Joy” essentially glorified alcohol and drug abuse to escape military service.
Wester said history shows that spiritual rebirth runs parallel to times of turmoil.
“And what I want to say to you today is that I personally believe we live in a time ripe for recovery,” he said. “We live in a society that is fertile ground for the seeds of further great spiritual awakenings.”
Wester said when an individual experiences a spiritual awakening in their life, it can have a huge impact.
“You will find yourself more focused, more dedicated, more determined than ever to live a life that is pleasing to your Creator,” he said. “You will experience the fire of resurrection in your life. And imagine what happens when you hold an open flame too close to a dry tinder pile.”
President Harry S. Truman signed it into law in 1952, officially establishing the National Day of Prayer. This annual commemoration honors the religious freedom of all Americans and provides an opportunity for all to publicly express prayers and devotions in accordance with their beliefs.
“The annual National Day of Prayer is established by proclamation of the President for the purpose of encouraging all Americans of all backgrounds to pause, reflect, and pray,” said 10th Mountain Division (LI) Sgt. said James Key, command chaplain. . “On this special day, we want you to know that our unit ministry team, our chaplains here at Fort Drum, are in the business of praying not only for you, but for your family as well. Please feel free to say hi wherever you see us, that is our only purpose.”
