DVIDS – News – Humphreys Community Steps Up Spiritual Preparation for National Day of Prayer

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea – Soldiers from various faith groups across Camp Humphreys gathered at Camp Humphreys’ Morning Calm Conference Center to commemorate National Day of Prayer May 23.

The purpose of the event was to emphasize the value of practicing one’s faith freely and openly and the importance of prayer in strengthening spiritual resilience and ensuring Soldier readiness, said the Rev. Maj. Matthew Hebebrand, the garrison assistant chaplain who also served as emcee for the event.

“We came together as all faith groups to acknowledge the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, to remember our dependence on God’s blessings, and to pray for peace, continued guidance and inspiration,” Hebebrand said. “This is an opportunity for the command team to come together and recognize the importance of spirituality to the lives of our Soldiers, our military, and today is a day to show that.”

More than 200 military personnel from US Army Korea, 8th Army, 2nd Infantry Division (Korea) and the US Combined Division attended the ceremony, sitting around a table and offering prayers based on their faith while enjoying lunch. After the meal, guest speaker Maj. Gen. William (Hank) Taylor, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division (RUCD), shared his own experiences with prayer as an individual, a Soldier and a leader.

Taylor encouraged leaders to pray in times of darkness, noting that spiritual preparation through prayer ties directly to Soldier readiness and is a key component of Army Field Manual 7-22’s overall health and fitness.

“What is spiritual readiness? It is the ability to withstand and overcome stress, hardship and tragedy by creating a meaningful life experience out of the darkness in which you find yourself,” Taylor said.

Taylor emphasized that mental preparation is one of the factors that makes an individual stronger as a leader and is very important for any organization.

“Prayer helps us communicate and connect with something greater than ourselves,” Taylor added. “In times of darkness, we connect with a greater purpose, and prayer is a way to make that happen.”

The U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Religious Support Office and Chapel offers a variety of programs to meet the religious and spiritual needs of Soldiers and their families. For chapel locations and services, visit https://home.army.mil/humphreys/about/garrison/religious-support-office .