Religious leaders gather for event hosted by base chapel Published April 16, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Kiana Brothers 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 375th Air Mobility Wing chaplains and local faith leaders sat down together for lunch March 25 at Scott Air Force Base. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Christine Blice-Baum and members of the chapel helped put together this event. This luncheon was held to thank off-base clergy and faith leaders for supporting Team Scott, and to give them insight into military funerals. "This is the second year we have welcomed our faith partners to Scott Air Force Base," said Blice-Baum, the 375th AMW chaplain. "We value the partnership we share with our local clergy and faith leaders as they minister and provide for the free exercise of religion to so many of our military members and their families." During the luncheon the base Honor Guard provided a funeral service demonstration with Chaplain (Maj.) Kenneth Johnson. Johnson is the deputy wing chaplain and during the luncheon, he portrayed a military chaplain during military funeral honors. Blice-Baum said the chaplains have presided at many military funerals and count it an honor to be a part of such a significant remembrance of a military member's life. She said it was a good opportunity to show their faith partners a service they provide for fallen servicemembers. Pastor Matt Burton, of the First Baptist Church of Mascoutah, said, "The chaplains and the Scott Club put on an excellent event. It's always nice to help support their mission, but especially poignant this year was the re-enactment of a military funeral. Even though it was staged for our benefit, it was a very moving example of what too many of our military families go through." Members from the Saint Theresa Catholic Church in Belleville, St. Clair Catholic Church, and The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows also attended the luncheon. Sister Carolyn McWatters, of St. Clair Catholic Church, said, "It was clear that we in the local community are seen as partners in spiritual care to our service men and women, and I am grateful to have participated in this."