Lt Gen Brown shares spiritual values with Lajes Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyrece Campbell
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Portugal --  More than 300,000 people are currently answering our nation's call by serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force.

Every year there are Americans around the world who answer another national call: the National Prayer call. The call is answered with various venues from National Prayer Breakfasts to National Prayer Luncheons around the world until the National Day of Prayer set for the first Thursday in May.

"The National Prayer Luncheon is a good venue to speak and remind vourselves about our service to our country and faith," said Lt. Gen. (retired) Richard "Tex" Brown, retired acting Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

General Brown was the guest speaker for the Lajes National Prayer Luncheon on April 25 in the Lajes Top of the Rock club. During his speech he used references from Psalms 91 and told stories about how people have used their faith or Psalm 91 to help protect them in times of danger and times of combat.

"Psalms 91 is considered the Psalm of protection, often referred to as the Soldier's Psalm or could be the 'Airman's' Psalm, too," Brown said. "It is a Psalm from the Bible that talks about God's protection on his people. We need to take care of ourselves and our people and ensure they are ready professionally, spiritually, socially and emotionally. I always thought that the spiritual element of a human being is an important part of each one of our makeup. I try to make sure that I am not pushing one particular way to be spiritually filled or ready. We all have different ways we can do that."

Team Lajes members of different faiths came together and prayed for the nation, other service members and leaders.

"It's an awesome opportunity to come together and pray while knocking down the barriers between the religions," said Senior Airman Roderick Aust, Armed Forces Network Detachment 6 media producer and distinguished faith group leader for the Lajes Open Circle service.

Various faith groups of Team Lajes participated in the luncheon through song and dance.

"I like the fact that the National Prayer Luncheon is open to all faith groups and it doesn't matter what or who you believe in, we all are welcome to come and pray for a common goal," said Tech. Sgt. Donna Anchundia, 65th Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of customer support.

According to Air Force Instruction 36-2618, Airmen must be technically, physically, mentally and spiritually ready to accomplish the mission.

"I am always prepared and balanced in all areas technically, physically, mentally and spiritually to be ready for a mission," said Senior Airman Timothy Begley, 65th Medical Operations Squadron ambulance service medical technician

Sergeant Begley recently return from a medical mission in Peru.

"My wife helps me stay balanced and I love her very much," Begley said. "Communication is key to our success."

The official National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held in Washington, D.C., on the first Thursday of February each year since 1953. Every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in the annual event, including President Obama.