Wing chaplain bestowed high enlisted honor

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The wing's chaplain, Lt. Col. John Groth, is known for telling a joke or two and occasionally pulling an innocent prank; but, it was the 512th Airlift Wing's Chiefs' Group who managed to pull a quick one on the preacher. 

The group of E-9s held a meeting and voted on inducting the 6-foot-7 colonel into the elite Chiefs' Group by making the chaplain an honorary chief. 

"When his name was brought up, the vote was unanimous," said Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Caroline Vennell, the wing's former command chief. "Every chief there could testify on how he had affected numerous members in each of their respective units." 

Despite the stringent criteria needed to be considered for this honor, Chief Vennell said he had more than enough to fulfill the requirements. 

"He's always there...during the plane crash; during the loss of wing family members; during marital bliss and hardships," she added. "There are so many things he's done. He's an excellent mediator and personal friend to many, a man who has gone above and beyond the Chief's Creed." 

Chaplain Groth, who was on convalescent leave at the time, had no idea a special ceremony had been prepared in his honor at The Landings. 

"I was told to wear my uniform, so I thought maybe the chaplain's award from last year finally came in; but, other than that, I couldn't come up with anything that made sense," he said. 

The secret guest of honor said he didn't realize the room was full of only chiefs until the master of ceremonies called the room to order. 

"My wife Ranelle and (Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Peter K.) Sullivan were the only non-chiefs there," he said. "That's why I was really confused when they asked all chiefs to stand, and General Sullivan stood up." 

Liberty Wing Chiefs' Group member Chief Master Sgt. Fred Eason said he's been here for nearly 30 years and has only seen two officers inducted. 

"They are General Sullivan and Chaplain Groth," he said. "That should speak volumes about how we in the Chiefs' Group feel about John Groth." 

As the speaker began unfolding the ceremony's purpose and began reading some of the wing chaplain's accomplishments, Chaplain Groth said that's when he finally got it. 

"It was a total surprise," he said. "Nowadays, it seems so many awards are given, because it's your turn or because someone wrote a nice package; but, this is an honor you can never apply for. 

"This is the greatest honor of my career. I don't think it could get any better than this -- it can't."