Top Air Force chaplain visits Tinker

Published April 3, 2009
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- His message was simple. "PRAY," said Chap. Brig. Gen. David Cyr, guest speaker at the National Prayer Luncheon held March 24 at the Tinker Club.

Standing before nearly 330 guests, the Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains introduced his message with a familiar Air Force concept, an acronym.

"PRAY," he said. Pray for "People," "Responsibility," "America" and "You." The chaplain made his point by citing examples from history and current events. He also presented one Airman with a coin and received a gift from others.

"We come from a variety of backgrounds, but it's in community settings such as this one that we as Americans join together realizing who we are as a people," the chaplain said. "We are one nation, under God, and we come together to ask for his blessing - upon us as a people, on our nation, on our leadership - so it is we come together to pray."

The Deputy Chief of Chaplains said, "'People' is the first word in the acronym. The people of America need prayers. Whether they are truck drivers or comrades or the president of the United States, they need God's help.

"We pray that God's with them and he'll direct their footsteps," the chaplain said. "We pray they'll be persons of integrity, valor and faith whatever their station in life."

The chaplain said instead of categorizing people by their profession, he likes to think of what they might accomplish. Chaplain Cyr cited Nathan Hale, a Yale-educated soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War, and Rosa Parks, an African-American civil rights activist, to illustrate his point.

"At 21 years old, Mr. Hale was captured as a spy and he was offered a life of luxury or be hung, what did that young chap say?" the chaplain asked. "He stood tall, and we all stood a little taller, when he said, 'I regret I have but one life to give for my country.'

"May there always be those in every generation who would be willing to die for freedom's cause," Chaplain Cyr said. "I know there are, because they're sitting here at these tables."

Responsibility is the second word in the acronym. Chaplain Cyr said responsibility lies primarily with America's military which fights and defends the nation.

"We get up to make sure our nation is safe, secure and free, and that our blessed-way of life continues indefinitely," the chaplain said. "In spite of those who would take that away from us, we will take our stand."

The chaplain said when he thinks about today's military, he also thinks of the "original 56," those who signed the Declaration of Independence.

"These individuals moved all their chips to the center of the table for freedom's cause," Chaplain Cyr said. "These were not wild-eyed, rebel-rousers; these were the business leaders of the time. They had security, but they valued freedom more, and so they risked it all for the cause."

It can be said that several signers faced difficult circumstances and tragedies later in life, but the chaplain said they did it for their country.

"A," the third letter in the acronym is for "America."

The chaplain said we need to continue to pray that God blesses our nation.

"America is a nation founded on God. It is in God that we trust. We are one nation under God," he said. "Human ingenuity, sophisticated weaponry and vast wealth, they are all critical for the fight, but they didn't bring us to superpower status."

The chaplain said "Y" stands for "you," the great Americans and the heroes.

The chaplain said heroes are not to be confused with celebrities. Celebrities are simply entertainers who faces are splashed in the media.

"I think we ought to be cautious here," he said. "They are not our nation's heroes. Each of you sitting at these tables is our nation's heroes and I'm here to thank you for your great sacrifice and service for our great nation. You are doing it well and faithfully and silently every day."

To further illustrate his point, the chaplain surprised and coined Senior Airman Michael Wylie, of the 32nd Combat Communications Squadron, who recently returned from deployment. He thanked him for his service and sacrifice.

Before leaving the podium, Chap. Lt. Col. William Toguchi, 72nd Air Base Wing chaplain, and Col. Allen Jamerson, 72nd Air Base Wing and installation commander, presented Chaplain Cyr with the book, "Oklahoma Impressions" by Jim Argo.

The National Prayer Luncheon tradition began in 1942. It was established by the Senate and House of Representatives in an effort to bring military and civilian leaders together to remember the moral and spiritual values on with the country is founded