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Prayer breakfast features Deputy Chief of Chaplains

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber R. Kelly-Herard
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event held in Washington, D.C., on the fourth Thursday of February.

The goal for the breakfast is to bring political, social and business leaders together and build relationships that may not be possible another way.
Team Scott held its own prayer breakfast, themed "So, Help Me God!" Jan. 13 at the Scott Club.

The event began with the award-winning choir from O'Fallon Township High School performing songs a-cappella, while attendees of all ranks and services ate breakfast.
Next, chaplains from across the base read various scriptures.

The keynote speaker was Brig. Gen. David Cyr, Deputy Chief of Chaplains.

"As the Deputy of Chaplains I get to travel to meet Airmen located in different places, faces change, but the challenges and issues of life remain the same," he began. "In 1979, in New Castle, Pa., I began a new journey, a commitment to serve in a new way. I raised my hand to protect freedom and the last words were, 'So help me God!'

"It is like a prayer said by those willing to make commitment, it defines who we are," he said. "No matter what your belief system, people defend your way of life.

"We all share Sept. 11 when the world stopped, it is a painful reminder that freedom is not free," he continued. "Nine and a half years later, we have lost thousands more defending freedom that is extremely costly."

"What keeps us going?" he continued. "The power of the oath, it sustains us and encourages us. It allows us to strive to be vigilant, faithful and strong during our time of watch."
General Cyr said George Washington was the first person to say "So help me God," April 30, 1789, when he became president because he felt he needed it. During the Civil War, military officers added those words to their oath July, 2, 1862.

In closing, General Cyr said, "When you are looking for a book, you go to Amazon.com, when you are looking for a song, you go to iTunes, when you need directions, you use a GPS. It's so easy to put faith in technology or a tank or aircraft, but these will ultimately fail us."

"Trust God with everything you do, who you call says a lot about who you are and what you believe," he added. "Let Him be the core of who you are, what you become and the legacy you leave."