Local religious leaders visit Travis

  • Published
  • By Jim Spellman
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  More than 40 religious leaders gathered to break bread and share spiritual ideas on Tuesday at Travis Air Force Base, California, during the Clergy Day event, the first held in more than six years.

The diverse group included pastors, associate pastors, rabbis, police and fire chaplains from all over northern California, stretching from Sacramento to Vallejo with many serving worshipping communities in Vacaville and Fairfield.

The intent of Clergy Day is multifaceted: It provides local religious leaders with an orientation of Travis' diverse mission, sensitizes them to the major issues affecting military members and their dependents, and serves to develop an effective network of support between local clergy and the Travis base chapel, which has witnessed a staffing reduction of 40 percent in recent years due to budget cuts.

"Over half of the military members assigned to Travis live in the surrounding community," said Chaplain (Col.) Robert Cannon, 60th Air Mobility Wing chaplain. "Developing strong bonds with religious community leaders will help them understand how to provide the best spiritual and pastoral care for military members who attend worship in their churches, synagogues and congregation."

While the Chaplain Corps often develops cordial relationships with local religious congregations, some may view off-base religious leaders as "competition."

"Nothing could be further from the truth," said Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Howard Stendahl, Air Force Chief of Chaplains, in a recent memo sent to the Air Force chaplain community. "In reality, our ability to provide spiritual Warrior Care with excellence requires that we become familiar with congregations and leaders of faith in our civilian host communities and build healthy, trusting, and synergistic relationships with them."

According to Cannon, Travis Airmen and their families reflect the rich religious diversity of our nation. Military members and their families have unique burdens and difficulties that are eased by faith communities in local towns and cities that embrace and welcome our Airmen and their families.

"All who attended were grateful for the opportunity," said Cannon. "The message all of the attendees received is they have a powerful, supportive role in keeping our Airmen and their families spiritually resilient."