Clergy Day brings good spirits

Published Oct. 20, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A thought brought up a couple of years ago became a reality; a partnership between local religious leaders, including the Tyndall Chaplain Corps.

The 325th Fighter Wing Chaplain Corps hosted a "Clergy Day" tour for local religious leaders Oct. 16 making it the first time they came together.

This is the beginning of establishing teamwork between ideas the chapels, the 325th FW and local communities have when it comes to religious and spiritual support.

"What we envision is developing partnerships and collaborations with the churches and religious leaders from the local area so we can better support our Airmen and their families," said Maj. Ismael Rodriguez, 325th FW chaplain.

The event invited religious leaders from the local community to come to Tyndall and get to know what the mission here is and get a better understanding on what Airmen go through on a daily basis.

"Some of these churches and communities have a lot of our military families living near them using the resources they have to offer," Rodriguez said. "We want to help the community leaders understand what we do, what our traditions are and what our cultures are in the Air Force so they can better serve our Airmen."

Reaching out to local religious leaders so they could play a bigger role in providing services for Tyndall Airmen was one of Rodriguez main goals.

"Anything that we can do in the community to help out is a positive thing for everybody," said Rich Musgrave, City of Parker Mayor. "I think this will be beneficial. I wasn't sure if all of the churches had met each other prior to this, and establishing that linkage adds synergy to their own efforts of what they are doing in their own communities.

"I think this is a win-win for everybody," he added. "It enables us to meet whatever needs come up and allows us to work together as one community."

This isn't the first time that Tyndall has worked with the local community when it comes to religious or spiritual needs.

The Chaplain Corps does not have a lot of the programs or services that families are looking for on base, so when new people come to Tyndall they let them know what churches or religious institutions can provide support to their spiritual well-beings.

This alliance is a way to strengthen the spiritual pillar for Airmen and families here.

"What we are trying to do for our Airmen and their families that are serving our country is help them get the support they need to better accomplish the mission they are required to do for our nation's security and for them to have a better quality of life," concluded Rodriguez.