Uniformed Services Chief of Chaplains Visit the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Joseph Winter
  • Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  On their first trip together as the Uniformed Services Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil Richardson, Chaplain (Army Maj. Gen.) Douglas Carver, and Chaplain (Navy Rear Adm.) Robert Burt, toured the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center here Sept. 22.

The visiting chaplains chose to visit AFMAO as a way to experience firsthand the dignity, honor and respect that goes into the work of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in carrying out this sacred mission.

During their visit the chaplains received a mission brief from the AFMAO leadership which focused on the mission of caring for the fallen and the service and support to their families. Following the briefing the chaplains toured the facility to better understand the demands of an AFMAO assignment and its workflow. Included was a stop at a new break room being completed with the support of the United Service Organization, offering facility staff a place to decompress from their demanding duties. As they moved through the facility the chaplains offered words of praise and thanks. "Thank you for your service, for the dignity you provide for our service members and their families; your work here doesn't go unrecognized", said Chaplain Carver.

Following the tour the chaplain chiefs participated in the weekly AFMAO Pizza and Conversation gathering. Pizza and Conversation is a method whereby facility staff and the chaplain team come together, share food, conversation and their reflections on mission challenges and rewards; or whatever else is on their mind. Pizza and Conversation is one of the weekly AFMAO Resiliency Team events whose goal is to support the spiritual, mental, physical and social needs of team members. Moved by what he saw there, Chaplain Burt thanked the team, "I have nine grandchildren. So while I offer you my personal thanks, the thanks really come from them. On behalf of them, thank you for giving them the opportunity to never have to worry about their freedom because of the men and women like you. Today, I see people here who are sensitive and treat our fallen the way they would want to be treated, with the utmost sense of respect and honor".

Concluding their visit the chaplain chiefs met with the AFMAO chaplain team discussing overall support, mission challenges and requirements. As Chaplain Richardson was preparing to leave he offered this impression of AFMAO, "This is a sobering and uplifting place at the same time. This has been such a powerful experience for me. The word pride keeps coming to my mind to describe the men and women who work here, so much is involved with this process and our nation should be proud about the care that is exemplified here."