F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The 10th man to walk on the moon walked into the Fall Hall Community Center, Feb. 4, and attended this year’s Prayer Luncheon hosted by the base chapel.
More than 200 members from the Warren community and guests from the local community gathered in the community center to hear a speech from retired Brig. Gen. Charles Duke Jr.
Duke spent several days making his way to the moon and back, however, after this great accomplishment and being given a place in history, Duke said he felt lost.
He said he regained his motivation after fulfilling his spiritual needs through religion.
“My wife and I, over the last 30 years, have been involved in Christian ministry,” Duke said. “Our hearts [are] dedicated to serving God and to share our story.”
Though the military does not support any specific religion, spiritual strength is one of our four pillars of resilience. The pillars of resiliency are designed to provide balance to a person. They consist of: social and family, physical, mental and emotional and spiritual. Each provides support in a different way, all together creating a sturdy foundation to help Airmen, or anyone, toward success.
“We don’t just pick one religion,” said Chaplain, Capt. Samuel McClellan, 90th Operations Group and 90th Maintenance Group Chaplain. “We try to make this as interfaith as possible because that is what America is about.”
The ceremony began with prayers from several religions including Jewish, Catholic and Protestant. McClellan said this represents what the chaplain corps really is about.
“We are here to protect religious freedom for our Airmen,” he added.
Many gathered to speak and take a photo with the retired general after the ceremony ended. One individual, Lt. Col. Timothy Christison, 90th Medical Operations Squadron commander, spoke very highly of his speech and character.
“It was motivating and inspiring,” Christison said. “We need to take advantage of opportunities to speak with true American heroes in our presence. I see people like him, the Doolittle Raiders or the Tuskegee Airmen as emblems of what true American fortitude is.”
Many in attendance appeared to be moved by the words Duke spoke when he revealed the struggles he and his family overcame. They were also taken to laughter, as he joked about his TDY-voucher to the moon and back.
“I enjoy being a motivational speaker,” Duke said. “Remember to dream big, to develop your mind, your body and your spirit. Go where your heart takes you and who knows where it will lead you.”