Charlie Reynolds, R'77
Earlier this fall, U.S. Army Africa Command Chaplain (Col.) Charlie Reynolds, and his chaplain assistant, Staff Sgt. Chris Corbett, were in Liberia providing religious support for groups responding to the Ebola crisis in addition to regular religious services for enlisted men and women. The following Q&A was conducted with Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Deppmeier, from the U.S. Army's Office of the Chief of Chaplains. Deppmeier provided the below text in which Reynolds talks about his ministry and mission in Liberia.
Tell us about your mission in Liberia.
The U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) is here to support the Joint Force Command/Armed Forces Liberia Operations assisting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Embassy in constructing treatment centers, providing testing labs for victims and training healthcare workers to counter the Ebola virus in Liberia. We're here to provide religious support to USAID and embassy personnel, many of whom have experienced firsthand the trauma caused by the Ebola virus. In addition, we provide Title 10 religious support requirements to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines participating in Operation United Assistance.
What is the morale of our U.S. deployed personnel in Liberia?
Overall, morale is high. The risk to U.S. personnel is very low. We are very cautious, and wash our hands often. No one shakes hands or touches anyone. Instead, we bump arms. We are also checking our temperature twice a day.
No one has direct contact with Ebola patients, so the risk of contracting Ebola is very low. Most soldiers are more concerned about family members who are worried about their safety. The greater danger to soldiers is malaria, or injuries from traffic accidents, since driving conditions are very different here.
How are you ministering and providing support?
Whether in Liberia or in a combat zone, it's important to assure our soldiers, sailors and airman of God's presence. I try to remind our personnel of the importance of what we are doing and how we're offering hope to a nation that has been devastated.
The importance of what we are doing is monumental for the Liberian people. We are making a difference in one of the largest epidemics of our lifetime. In three weeks, we have provided more logistical support to build treatment centers than all previous efforts combined. Caring for and offering hope to those who are suffering is at the heart of a chaplain’s mission. God does not call chaplains and chaplain assistants to a life of safety; we are called to risk our lives to minister to those who need assurance of God’s presence.
How are our medical teams, soldiers, and staff making a difference on the ground there?
The other day I traveled to visit a site where a hospital is being built. There was a large crowd of Liberians who were standing near the construction site. You could see the hope in their faces as the purpose of the hospital was explained to them.
Saturday, when I was riding back from doing worship services for the Seabees at the airport, it was one of the rare times that it was not raining. I had my window down and along the way several Liberians stopped and either waved or saluted me. It is common knowledge that the Liberians view the U.S. Army as a source of hope from this devastating disease.
Toni Kuma, a Liberian employee who attends our worship service at the embassy, said to me, “The arrival of the U.S. Army evaporated the thick cloud of fear and hopelessness that had engulfed the nation. The Army has given us hope and sunshine where there was none. The presence of men and women in uniform among us has restored our hope of living again. Sending funding to help fight the virus was important, but sending the troops at the time when the whole world seemed to have abandoned the nation, is very much appreciated. Your presence, your faith and your success is our hope. God bless you.”
Photo: U.S. Army Africa Command Chaplain (Col.) Charlie Reynolds (right), and his chaplain assistant, Staff Sgt. Chris Corbett (left), stand with Liberian Chaplain Joseph Gboyah, (center), with the 23rd Infantry Brigade Chaplain, Armed Forces Liberia.