{"id":564730,"date":"2025-08-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=564730"},"modified":"2025-08-01T15:41:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T15:41:52","slug":"usag-wiesbaden-marks-250-years-of-spiritual-resiliency-family-readiness-with-army-chaplain-corps-birthday-picnic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=564730","title":{"rendered":"USAG Wiesbaden marks 250 years of spiritual resiliency, family readiness with Army Chaplain Corps birthday picnic"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>

\n
\n
\n Lt. Col. Oyedeji Idowu, the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden command chaplain, offers a blessing during a celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps at Clay Chapel, Wiesbaden, Germany, July 29, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Stephen P. Perez)
\n (Photo Credit: Stephen Perez)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

WIESBADEN, Germany \u2013 Community members from across the Garrison came together at Clay Kaserne Chapel on Tuesday to honor the service and sacred mission of the United States Army Chaplain Corps with a 250th anniversary picnic celebration.<\/p>\n

The Army Chaplain Corps has a distinguished history of providing spiritual and ethical support to Soldiers since July 29, 1775 \u2013 just weeks after the U.S. Army itself was formally established.<\/p>\n

The picnic was organized by the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Religious Support Office and offered free lunch and cake to all attendees and activities for kids.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"USAG
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 1 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Lt. Col. Oyedeji Idowu, the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden command chaplain;Col. Troy Danderson, commander of USAG Wiesbaden; Col. Andrew Lawrence, the Installation Management Command \u2013 Europe command chaplain, engage in conversation during a celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps at Clay Chapel, Wiesbaden, Germany, July 29, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Stephen P. Perez)
\n (Photo Credit: Stephen Perez)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"USAG
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Community members participate in a celebratory picnic honoring the 250th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps at Clay Chapel, Wiesbaden, Germany, July 29, 2025.<\/p>\n

The event was organized by the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Religious Support Office and offered free lunch and cake to all attendees and activities for kids.<\/p>\n

(U.S. Army photo by Stephen P. Perez)
\n (Photo Credit: Stephen Perez)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

<\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n \"USAG
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 3 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Col. Andrew Lawrence, the Installation Management Command \u2013 Europe command chaplain, and Pfc. Gina Contra, a religious affairs specialist with the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Religious Support Office, cut a celebratory cake during a picnic honoring the 250th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps at Clay Chapel, Wiesbaden, Germany, July 29, 2025.<\/p>\n

Lawrence and Contra were selected to cut the cake in accordance with a time honored tradition of bestowing the honor to the oldest and youngest Chaplain Corps professionals at the event.<\/p>\n

(U.S. Army photo by Stephen P. Perez)
\n (Photo Credit: Stephen Perez)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

<\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

In his opening remarks, Col. Andrew Lawrence, the Installation Management Command \u2013 Europe command chaplain, explained how the throughline that connects all Chaplain Corps professionals \u2013 past and present \u2013 is their solemn duty to accompany military community members through the hardest of times.<\/p>\n

He also noted how chaplains, religious affairs specialists, and directors of religious education have executed their mission through modern preventative and reactive services to build and sustain a more resilient Army.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn recent decades, chaplains have been instrumental in suicide prevention, trauma recovery, and building resilient families,\u201d said Col. Lawrence. \u201cThey have led Strong Bonds Retreats. They’ve helped Soldiers to reintegrate after deployments. They have stood by grieving families during the hardest moments imaginable. They don’t wear rank to be saluted \u2013 they wear it to serve.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The USAG Wiesbaden RSO honors the hallowed legacy of the Chaplain Corps through an active and robust community outreach program.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"USAG
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 1 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Col. Andrew Lawrence, the Installation Management Command \u2013 Europe command chaplain, gives opening remarks during a celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps at Clay Chapel, Wiesbaden, Germany, July 29, 2025.<\/p>\n

Speaking about the sacred duties of all Chaplain Corps professionals, Lawrence explained how each role extends beyond religious leadership to ensure all military community members receive the support they need \u2013 with the empathy and compassion they deserve.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s about speaking truth in difficult times, offering wise counsel when it is needed most, and ensuring \u2013 most of all \u2013 that no one walks alone through the valley,\u201d said Lawrence.<\/p>\n

(U.S. Army photo by Stephen P. Perez)
\n (Photo Credit: Stephen Perez)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

<\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n \"USAG
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Col. Andrew Lawrence, the Installation Management Command \u2013 Europe command chaplain, and Col. Troy Danderson, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, converse with each other during a celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps at Clay Chapel, Wiesbaden, Germany, July 29, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Stephen P. Perez)
\n (Photo Credit: Stephen Perez)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"USAG
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 3 \/ 3<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Capt. Jason Nelson, the 24th Military Intelligence Battalion, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, command chaplain; Pfc. Gina Contra, a religious affairs specialist with the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Religious Support Office; and Col. Troy Danderson, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, converse while serving cake to guests during a celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps at Clay Chapel, Wiesbaden, Germany, July 29, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Stephen P. Perez)
\n (Photo Credit: Stephen Perez)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

In addition to being readily available to all community members 24\/7, the RSO engages with the entire military community by providing services and hosting events \u2013 for people of all faiths and backgrounds. This includes initiatives like \u201cOperation Willkommen Wagon,\u201d a weekly gathering that welcomes incoming families to the community with a meal at the Wiesbaden Army Lodge.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Lt. Col. Oyedeji Idowu, the USAG Wiesbaden command chaplain, has personally overseen RSO\u2019s outreach to the Garrison Civilian workforce through \u201cChap Talk,\u201d a recurring initiative aimed at fostering a better workplace community through open conversation among colleagues \u2013 and free breakfast.<\/p>\n

Learn more about RSO services and upcoming events by visiting the Garrison’s RSO website<\/a> or following the Garrison on the My Army Post App.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lt. Col. Oyedeji Idowu, the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden command chaplain, offers a blessing during a celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps at Clay Chapel, Wiesbaden, Germany, July 29, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Stephen P. Perez) (Photo Credit: Stephen Perez) VIEW ORIGINAL WIESBADEN, Germany \u2013 Community members from across the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":564732,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-564730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/564730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=564730"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/564730\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":564737,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/564730\/revisions\/564737"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/564732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=564730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=564730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=564730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}