thedrifter
05-25-06, 06:53 AM
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (May 25, 2006) -- The 15th Chaplain of the Marine Corps Rear Admiral Robert F. Burt visited Okinawa from May 17-22 to meet with religious ministry teams in the area and motivate Marines, sailors and their families by giving speeches and thanking them for their service.
"I salute you and honor you for what you do," Burt said during a speech May 21 at Camp Hansen's West Chapel. "I am so proud to be the Chaplain of the Marine Corps."
Out of the 860 chaplains serving in the Navy Chaplain Corps, 275 are dedicated to the Marine Corps. Burt, who's been a chaplain for 25 years, oversees all the chaplains serving with Marine units.
"We have someone as Chaplain of the Marine Corps to watch out over the approximately one third of our Navy Chaplain Corps who serve with the nation's finest," Burt said. "My job is to hear their issues, what their concerns are and what kind of help they need from Headquarters Marine Corps."
Throughout Burt's stay here, he met with the various commanders from local units, attended meetings with chaplains and religious program specialists, and spoke to congregations at base chapels.
To celebrate Burt's visit, the Camp Hansen USO and Camp Hansen West Chapel hosted a party May 21 with free a barbecue, a performance from the III Marine Expeditionary Force Party Band, and sporting events.
"The purpose of the event was to give service members that live in the barracks an opportunity to get out, have some free food and have fun," said Cmdr. Manuel A. Biadog, the chaplain for III MEF Headquarters Group.
During Burt's stop at the West Chapel, he shared stories from his time as an enlisted sailor and a recent deployment to Iraq.
"To look into the eyes of the 18-, 19-, 20-year-old men, and see the focus and the mission mindset that they have is amazing," Burt said about the Marines and sailors he spoke with in Iraq.
Cpl. William Skinner, a motor vehicle operator with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, served as Burt's driver during his stay on Okinawa. He said Burt was the most honest and respectful person he has ever driven for.
"He's a great guy," Skinner said. "I think being former enlisted makes a difference in his attitude. He can relate to everyone."
This attitude is echoed with everyone who meets him, according to Biadog.
"Chaplain Burt is a motivator," Biadog said. "He is a great Chaplain of the Marine corps because he truly loves the Marines and sailors serving with the Marine Corps."
The trip to Okinawa will be Burt's last one as Chaplain of the Marine Corps. In June, he will be assuming responsibility as the U.S. Navy Chief of Chaplains.
Burt left young service members on Okinawa with a final thought before departing.
"Sometimes when you're 17, 18 or 19 years of age, you don't see the impact that your job has on the big picture," Burt said. "So I would just encourage these young Marines and sailors to make spiritual growth a priority in their lives. You have to be disciplined. You have to make it a priority."
Ellie
"I salute you and honor you for what you do," Burt said during a speech May 21 at Camp Hansen's West Chapel. "I am so proud to be the Chaplain of the Marine Corps."
Out of the 860 chaplains serving in the Navy Chaplain Corps, 275 are dedicated to the Marine Corps. Burt, who's been a chaplain for 25 years, oversees all the chaplains serving with Marine units.
"We have someone as Chaplain of the Marine Corps to watch out over the approximately one third of our Navy Chaplain Corps who serve with the nation's finest," Burt said. "My job is to hear their issues, what their concerns are and what kind of help they need from Headquarters Marine Corps."
Throughout Burt's stay here, he met with the various commanders from local units, attended meetings with chaplains and religious program specialists, and spoke to congregations at base chapels.
To celebrate Burt's visit, the Camp Hansen USO and Camp Hansen West Chapel hosted a party May 21 with free a barbecue, a performance from the III Marine Expeditionary Force Party Band, and sporting events.
"The purpose of the event was to give service members that live in the barracks an opportunity to get out, have some free food and have fun," said Cmdr. Manuel A. Biadog, the chaplain for III MEF Headquarters Group.
During Burt's stop at the West Chapel, he shared stories from his time as an enlisted sailor and a recent deployment to Iraq.
"To look into the eyes of the 18-, 19-, 20-year-old men, and see the focus and the mission mindset that they have is amazing," Burt said about the Marines and sailors he spoke with in Iraq.
Cpl. William Skinner, a motor vehicle operator with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, served as Burt's driver during his stay on Okinawa. He said Burt was the most honest and respectful person he has ever driven for.
"He's a great guy," Skinner said. "I think being former enlisted makes a difference in his attitude. He can relate to everyone."
This attitude is echoed with everyone who meets him, according to Biadog.
"Chaplain Burt is a motivator," Biadog said. "He is a great Chaplain of the Marine corps because he truly loves the Marines and sailors serving with the Marine Corps."
The trip to Okinawa will be Burt's last one as Chaplain of the Marine Corps. In June, he will be assuming responsibility as the U.S. Navy Chief of Chaplains.
Burt left young service members on Okinawa with a final thought before departing.
"Sometimes when you're 17, 18 or 19 years of age, you don't see the impact that your job has on the big picture," Burt said. "So I would just encourage these young Marines and sailors to make spiritual growth a priority in their lives. You have to be disciplined. You have to make it a priority."
Ellie