Wide-ranging chapel program wins AETC recognition for 2010

Published May 4, 2011
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Keesler Chapel won the 2010 Charles I. Carpenter award recognizing the top large chapel team in Air Education and Training Command.

The chapel, led by Chaplain (Col.) Clifton Perry, includes the Larcher Chapel, the Triangle Chapel and the Fishbowl Student Center. The chapel staff of 10 chaplains, eight chaplain assistants and 11 contractors is augmented by hundreds of volunteers, according to Chaplain Perry.

"I'm thrilled to lead Keesler's chapel program," he said. "Our staff is honored to provide spiritual care to Team Keesler--it has to be the best job in the Air Force."

Keesler's chapel team was rated "outstanding" in last year's Air Education and Training Command Unit Compliance Inspection and was cited for its "renowned ... poignant spiritual/ personal growth for tomorrow'sAir Force leaders."

In spite of the deployment of five of its team members, three religious support teams logged 4,200 visitation hours and was responsible for 3,400 counseling hours. The chapel reinvigorated The Haven program for permanent party dormitory residents and hosted 24 luncheons for the first term airmen's center.

The chapel's outreach was enhanced by 350 student "white rope" leaders who headed volunteer efforts such as Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, beach cleanups and visits to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. To counter the rise in Air Force suicides, the chapel directed 53 SafeTALK classes for 770 Airmen, preventing any student deaths.

The Islamic center was renovated for Ramadan and $30,000 was saved with self-help renovation of one of the chapel sacristies.

A local Greek Orthodox church was served by a Keesler chaplain who filled the gap when a resident priest was unavailable.

Fifty chaplains graduated from the first-ever regional Civil Air Patrol Staff College hosted by the chapel.

Ministries and programs offered included the National Prayer Breakfast, National Day of Prayer, military training leader luncheons, Pizza and the Padre exploration of world religions, gospel service's 39th anniversary, ecumenical Thanksgiving worship, Super Bowl Sunday, Protestant Women of the Chapel, Protestant Men of the Chapel, Protestant Youth of the Chapel, Fishbowl Oasis Saturdays and "hot topic" student group.

Chapel representatives also participated in Diversity Day, Holiday in the Park, Veterans Day and Remembrance Day events.