The Chaplains Fight, Too
By T/5 Ed McNulty
"The war is over! But in the
remote Alaskan outposts and the Aleutian Islands the battle goes on -- the
battle against foes that will never surrender -- weather, nostalgia, and
confinement.
These
words of Red Cross Director Sheldon C. Williamson, spoken at the recent
conference of chaplains at Ft. Richardson, Alaska, show that the chaplain's
job in this theater has not ceased with the armistice. Williamson went on
to point out that soldier cases since the war's end have multiplied to the
extent that the Red Cross is now handling 3,500 new cases each month. He
explained that the bored, restless, homesick soldier had kept his problems
to himself heretofore because he was able to rationalize them during time of
war. Williamson added that now the soldier finds it hard to see the reason
for his being retained any longer in Alaska. For this reason, the
chaplain's task lying ahead will be harder than the great work he has
already put behind him.
Realizing this fact beforehand
left Lt. Col. William E. Austill, Alaskan Department Staff Chaplain, to plan
the chaplain's conference which took place September 10 and 11 at the Ft.
Richardson Post Chapel.
Before introducing Brig. Gen.
Richard E. Mittelstaedt, Ft. Richardson commander, expressed his desire that
the chaplains would find "inspiration and profit by these sessions."
The general told of the
exceptional opportunities available at this post for men in the Aleutians.
He explained that the furnished apartments with individual rooms had been
prepared and were being operated in first-class hotel style to accommodate
men, from the Aleutians who wished to spend a week furlough here. He named
the advantages offered men from the Aleutians during their stay, stating
that organization dances, sports facilities, and non-com and air corps clubs
were open to them. He mentioned that Gen. Emmons, Department Commander, was
at present trying to arrange to have men sent here on temporary duty, so
that this stay would in no way be counted against their leave privileges.
He told of the soldier's
reaction to this furlough plan by quoting one man who said, "Sure I had a
good time here, and this is the first time in my Army career when anyone
asked me what time I wanted to be waked in the morning."
After explaining the details
of the program to the chaplains, Gen. Mittelstaedt requested them to visited
all the post facilities in order that they could go back to their island
posts and inform the men of what was being done for them.
The next speaker to be
introduced was Capt. George A. Bieri of the Alaskan Department Provost
Marshal Office, who spoke on the great problem presented his office by the
many pilferings of water-borne cargo enroute to Alaska and the shortages
caused considerable distress Aleutians from Seattle. Many of the men noted
at the destination, but as a rule, Capt. Bieri noted, the main shortages are
beer, fruit juices, candy and the like. He explained that the probable
cause of these lay in the fact that the men didn't realize that they were
actually stealing.
He pointed out that a soldier
who spends 10 hours a day loading these supplies onto a vessel is naturally
going to become hungry and thirsty. The soldier then reasons that the
articles he is loading belong to the government and are scheduled for
shipment to the troops. He tells himself that he is a part of the troops
and is therefore justified in helping himself to a light snack. This
eventually leads to reasoning in which he figures he will be hungry the
following week and so he takes a box of candy bars to meet this problem.
Captain Bieri suggested that
the chaplains could be of valuable assistance by pointing out to the men the
critical shortages created at the point of delivery by such pilfering which
results in many soldiers being deprived of their rightful allotment of
rations. He further asked the chaplains to impress upon the minds of these
men that their petty pilfering is actually stealing.
Chaplain Austill expressed his
gratitude to the Anchorage Council of Churches for making possible the
presence of Dr. E. Stanley Jones at the chaplain's conference. Dr. Jones
attended both days of the conference and selected a very appropriate topic
for discussion. His first message was devoted to "Inner Morale," in which
he explained to the chaplains the necessity of keeping themselves mentally
and spiritually fit for their tasks.
"If a man's inner morale
sags," said Dr. Jones, "his entire group is going to sag with him."
His closing message to the
chaplains was about "bringing men and God together." Dr. Jones climaxed his
talk by telling the chaplains what a great thing they will have accomplished
if they can send men back into civilian life with something to live for.
"It's your great opportunity," he concluded.
Maj. Don A. McNeal, Assistance
Director of Personnel for the Alaskan Department spoke on the all-important
problems brought about by the readjustment and demobilization procedures.
He pointed out that General Emmons was doing everything in his power to
facilitate the release of men from this theater.
"It was through the general's
efforts," said Major McNeal, "that this department has been allowed to keep
recuperation furloughs open to all eligible personnel."
The major went on to explain
that movements from the theater hadn't been as effective recently as they
had previously, because a detailed plan was provided in advance of V-E Day
and that V-J Day had followed so closely, that enough time hadn't been
allowed for the formulation of new plans. The major explained the phases of
the point system and quoted recorded statistics of the progress toward
demobilization that has already been made by this department. He stated
that men with over two years of service in the department would be given
every break that the personnel section could given them, adding that General
Emmons was deeply concerned about hastening the return of these men to the
United States.
A psychiatrist, Capt. James Q.
Haralambie of the 183rd Station Hospital, revealed many interesting facts
and data regarding "mental breakdown" and the extent that mental breakdowns
have occurred in this department. He asserted that the war has made people
more conscious of the presence of many mental illnesses and has brought
doctors and psychiatrists closer together to work as cooperative teams in
the curing of these patients. The reason for Captain Haralambie's talk was
to acquaint the chaplains with the problems of the neuro-psychiatric patient
so that they may better understand him when he is approached in the course
of their hospital tours.
The captain stated that mental
breakdowns in this theater have been far less than those in any other
theater. He brought out the important fact that "so many people have it
erroneously fixed in their minds that breakdowns will have to be treated as
children." He stated "patience will do better than misdirected
sentimentality in dealing with these men when they return home."
Chaplain Charles W. Nelson of
the 17th Naval District spoke for the Aleutian Navy chaplains at the
conference. He brought with him Admiral Fletcher's greetings ad thanks to
the Army chaplains for helping the Navy many times in the past. Chaplain
Nelson explained the Navy's peacetime tentative operations plans in the
North Pacific waters and pointed out how complementary chaplain coverage
could be achieved by Army and Navy chaplains in the future, as it has been
in the past.
He explained many naval
technical procedures to the Army chaplains so that they would know what was
expected of them in boarding a ship or entering a naval station. He cited
many cases in the history of the Aleutians where Navy chaplains have served
Army posts and Army chaplains have served Navy stations.
Because the chaplains are
directly concerned with troop morale, Lt. Col. R. Paul Sharood, Morale
Inspector for the Alaskan Department, was invited to talk on the subject of
the function of the department morale. He told how the office of morale
inspector was created in this department. It resulted from a letter written
to General Emmons by General Marshall, requesting that an office be
established to assure proper treatment of the troops at all times. Initial
investigations made by the office disclosed that troops returned from this
theater to the United States felt badly because of the small amount of
decorations they were eligible to wear. From this investigation developed
the "Certificate of Commendable Service," which is a certificate signed by
General Emmons that is now given to every qualified soldier departing from
this theater.
Colonel Sharood explained that
men were constantly being interviewed to determine whether they know of any
factors that are adversely affecting morale in this department. When such
factors are disclosed, investigations are made, and the situation
corrected. In some cases investigations have been, and are being made to
determine why units with excessive service are being retained in this
theater. In some cases the retention of these units was discovered to be
contrary to the best interests of the military and the servicemen and the
commanding general had them declared as excess and returned to the United
States. The morale inspector was questioned by one of the chaplains to
determine if he had received any complaints about the chaplains. Colonel
Sharood replied: "In all my time as morale inspector for this department, I
can truthfully say that I haven't heard a single complaint about you
chaplains.
Lt. Col. Leonard R. Rovins,
Special Service Officer for the Alaskan Department, threw a blazing torch
into the conference when he stated that after a short trip to the Aleutians,
he felt that a morale problem was beginning to kindle among the men
stationed there who wanted to know when they were going to get home.
"It is your job and my job to
cope with the problem of moral in the Aleutians," asserted Colonel Rovins.
He went onto explain thoroughly the Army athletic and recreation program as
it applies to this department, stating that the department is somewhat
handicapped because most of the men here are engaged in service jobs that
had to be temporarily continued while the program was originally planned to
relieve the monotony faced by idle combat troops. Colonel Rovins closed his
talk by giving the Red Cross a "pat on the back" for supplementing and
assisting the Special Service Office in the accomplishment of their
activities throughout Alaska.
Capt. Harold N. Edinburg,
Information and Education Officer for the Alaskan Department, explained the
origin and purpose of the I & E Office and its function within the Alaskan
Department. He explained the advantages of the GI Bill of Rights and
answered many of the chaplain's questions regarding interpretations of the
bill as it pertained to schooling. He also gave all the chaplains
information to carry back to the men regarding a new general education
development test that has been instituted by the government. This test has
already been taken by thousands of students throughout the country. It
makes possible the determining of an individual's ability to evaluate
general information. Many schools are granting diplomas to those who are
able to make a satisfactory score and colleges are likewise offering credits
on this basis which will perhaps enable many who wish to return to school to
skip one or more grades.
In a symposium of chaplain
activities, Chaplain Thomas D. Bryne spoke on the advantage of radio
broadcasts and how to plan them. "It is very important to remember," he
said, that if chaplains of various denominations are not present at your
post, to keep the programs of general interest in order to reach all
listeners."
Chaplain Leslie F. Toburen
recounted many of his experiences with outpost visitations in the islands.
He told of the hardships of carrying the bulky equipment including portable
altars, organs, candelabra, etc. to remote outposts.
He told of the time he had
shoved a dozen copies of hymns into his pocket, and through rain and snow,
hiked over mountains for some eight miles to reach one of his outposts.
Arriving there soaking wet, he was immediately supplied with towels and a
clean suit of fatigue clothes by grateful soldiers who thanked him
wholeheartedly for making the journey. He held a service that evening with
the dozen hymn copies as his only props and stated that "it was one of the
most successful services I have ever conducted." He stated that many
hardships would be encountered in the constant visitation of outposts, but
added, "This is the opportunity Alaska offers us -- to live up to the
reputation of the Army chaplain."
"Publicity is a necessary
function of the Army chaplain," stated Chaplain John J. Reedy. He explained
the necessity of making men aware of services both pending and past. As a
means to this end, the chaplain outlined plans for utilizing the facilities
of camp newspapers, radio stations and bulleting boards. He told of the
success of the services held in his chapel every half hour on V-J Day, and
attributed that success to radio publicity. The chaplain also expressed the
opinion that photographs showing men attending services are a wonderful
morale factor, "because of the consolation they offer to the folks at home."
Chaplain Isaac I. McDonald
spoke on the subject of conducting Sunday services. "A service is something
that is done to benefit others," he defined. "The church is a sanatorium
for the curing of sin-sick souls," he cited. Then he proceeded to describe
what little difference actually existed between the civilian and military
church functions, stating: "The aims and purposes are primarily the same,
the human begin is the same, and his needs are the same." He defined the
needs of the soldier churchgoer and suggested methods of preaching to him.
The duties of the hospital
chaplain were discussed by Chaplain Arnell M. Landerdahl, who spoke of
cooperating with the doctors and nurses and finding a place on the "healing
team." He pointed out that the hospital chaplain must be more than just a
wailing wall and that he must make every effort to correct the problems of
his patients, and yet, not forget the men who are stationed at the hospital
for duty. Chaplain Landerdahl told of the difficulty often encountered in
approaching sick patients and said, "a good deal of common sense must be
utilized to break through the barriers of the distraught soldier."
He narrated an anecdote of an
experience that he had with a difficult patient, telling how he had won the
man over to his side. "A sergeant was about to undergo a major operation
and I was called in to see the man. I approached him as he lay on a wheeled
cot, prepared to be taken to the operating room. As soon as the sergeant
saw me, he shouted: I'm not going to die!" 'Who said you were?' was my
answer. 'I have nothing to confess!' the sergeant added. 'Who said you
had?' I queried. 'What do you want then?' asked the sergeant. 'Oh! I
replied, 'I just wanted to see what a man who has nothing to confess looks
like on the inside.'
Jewish high holidays were
reviewed by Chaplain Morris J. Besdin for the benefit of many of the
chaplains who conducted Jewish ceremonies, from time to time, because of the
shortage of Jewish chaplains in this theater. He prepared and distributed a
pamphlet outlining that Jewish holidays and explained the origin and purpose
of each one. The chaplain expressed his gratitude to the many Catholic and
Protestant chaplains who had provided services for the Jewish men in the
Aleutians. He stated that he was thankful to the Army for "Bringing about a
more thorough understanding of the different faiths and a camaraderie among
the chaplains." He recalled an instance where he had been called upon to
hold Buddhist services for Japanese-American and Hawaiian soldiers at Fort
Livingston, La.
The mission of the chaplain
was reviewed by Chaplains Thadieth E. Son, Joseph E. Stockhammer, and
William E. Austill, as a summing up of the conference.
It was stated that the
chaplain's mission was similar to that given a pilot before departing on a
bombing mission. He must be briefed on the weather conditions, the amount
of flak anticipated, the location of the enemy, and he must know how to use
his instruments. The mission of the chaplain is to save God's men, show
them the way through life, and administer to their spiritual wants.
The chaplain must offer
council and encouragement to the men ad help them to lead good lives and
love God with all their heart and soul. In the performance of his mission,
the chaplain, like a pilot, will come across many targets of opportunity.
He must take advantage of these targets which will appear in the form of:
personal problems, marriages, lectures, forums, and fellowship calls, etc.
He must always remain in sight of the military as well as the spiritual aim
to encourage ad comfort the men and keep before them the ideal of justice
for which they fight. When he has done all these things the "sky pilot" can
relax in the joy that comes from having a mission completed.
Source: McNulty, T/5 Ed, "The Chaplains
Fight, Too." Alaska Life: The Territorial Magazine. Juneau, Alaska:
Alaska Life Publishing Co., December, 1945.
