PACIFIC REGION 2003 STAFF COLLEGE, HICKAM AFB, HAWAII

The Pacific Region Chaplain Service Staff College is now history but 
the subject matter taught and acquired as well as the memories of the fellowship and fun will last for a long time.

The California Wing Chaplain Service was well represented by 
4 Chaplains and 8 Moral Leadership Officers in attendance. 
This year’s theme was “Go Beyond the Call…Soar with Eagles.” On Sunday evening, following a time of fellowship and refreshment, 
Chaplain (LtC.) Dan Dyer (PCR HC) greeted the participants 
and gave an overview of the CSRSC daily schedule. During this
session, the commemorative book was presented to the participants. 
The book was dedicated to Chaplain (LtC., retired) Cal Turpin
(former National Deputy Chief of Chaplain Service) for his outstanding contributions to the USAF Auxiliary Chaplain Service. Chaplain Dyer presented Chaplain Turpin a beautiful crystal eagle.

Each morning, Chaplain (LtC.) Ken Van Loon (National Deputy 
Chief of the Chaplain Service) brought an inspiring devotional based 
on the characteristics of eagles as seen in both the natural and Biblical descriptions. Throughout the day the classes would be treated to the sights and sounds of F-15s (Strike Eagles) based at Hickam AFB taking-off and landing. Talk about soaring with eagles!! Following the devotional, Col. Angelo Porco (former CAWG Commander) taught a protocol class to the Chaplain Service personnel.

Two tracks of training were given on Monday. The Moral Leadership Officers received training regarding the Cadet Programs by LtC. Ned Lee (PCR Director of Cadet Programs). Chaplain (LtC.) Whit Woodard (PCR Deputy Chaplain) and Chaplain (Maj.) Paul Ward (CAWG HC) taught the Mission Chaplain course to the Chaplains.

On Tuesday, Dr. Robert Hicks, Executive Administrator of the Chaplain Service – National HQ, presented a class on Ethics and Leadership, LtC. Ned Lee led members of the Chaplain Service through the second part of the Required Staff Training and facilitated the participants in the Risk Management scenarios. Three MLOs from CAWG, LtC Ken Parris, 1st Lt. Adelle McKinney, and 1st Lt. Sue Willey presented a ML lesson, which is part of the requirements for receiving the Master Rating in the MLO specialty track. Dr. Hicks and Chaplain Van Loon gave a briefing on what is taking place at National in regards to the direction of the USAF Auxiliary and also the chaplain service. They shared about the cooperation taking place with the USAF Chaplain Service, especially in regard to training opportunities. Chaplain Ward presented a briefing on his participation at the Chaplain Service Institute.

Chaplain Dyer joined Dr. Hicks and Chaplain Van Loon on Wednesday morning for a panel discussion on Chaplain Service matters and a time of questions and answers.

During the staff college, there were appointments, awards, and promotions presented. LtC. George Link (CAWG) was appointed as a MLO. The Gill Robb Wilson Award was presented to Chaplain (LtC.) Ken Van Loon. Chaplains Ward and Woodard received a Commander’s Commendation for their work in planning and presenting the CSRSC. Senior Member Chuck Davis was promoted to 2nd Lt. Each of the 22 staff members received a certificate of appreciation for their assistance in preparing and presenting the CSRSC. The “Order of Flat Stanley” was bestowed upon LtC. Patricia “Pat” Okawa (MLO, CAWG). A  Certificate of Completion was given to members of the Chaplain Service for their participation in the CSRSC. Spouses of Chaplain Service members who attended were presented the PHT (Putting Her or Hubby Through) Degree. 

Brig. Gen. A.D. “Putt” Richards (154 Wing CC, Hawaii ANG) was the featured speaker at the graduation luncheon on Wednesday. He presented a very inspirational speech that was warmly received by a very appreciative audience. Among the special guests who were in attendance at the luncheon, there were three ladies who graced the Chaplain Service with their presence: Mildred Marshall, Justine Woods, and Janine Robinson. These three ladies served as members of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) during WWII.

A section in the Commemorative Book was devoted to the WASP. Chaplain Dyer on behalf of the PCR Chaplain Service presented them with a Certificate of Appreciation. On behalf of the National HQ, Chaplains Turpin and Van Loon presented the Exceptional Service Award to Chaplain Dan Dyer. A beautiful bronze eagle accompanied the certificate. This was indeed a fitting award
and tribute to a man who has encouraged the chaplain service personnel of the Pacific Region to “soar with eagles.”

The concluding session of the Staff College was presented on Thursday morning. A Memorial Service was conducted at the Punchbowl – the National Cemetery of the Pacific. Among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony, which was planned by Chaplain Cal Turpin, were three of the six men who reside in 
Hawaii who were awarded the Medal Of Honor: Barney F. 
Harijo, Shizuya Hayashi (both Army during WWII) and 
Allan Jay Kellogg, Jr. (Marines, Vietnam). These men received special recognition from the PCR Chaplain Service. Following remarks by Chaplain Turpin, there was the presentation of a 
wreath by members of the Chaplain Service who had served
in the various branches of the military: LtC. Fred Mahadocan, 
Air Force; Chaplain (Capt.) Debra Prosser, Army; LtC. 
Ken Parris, Coast Guard; Chaplain (LtC.) Dan Dyer, Marines; 
and Chaplain (Capt.) Robert Ferguson, Navy. The service concluded with military honors by the USAF Honor Guard 
from Hickam AFB.

Throughout the week members of the chaplain service kept the island “green” as they went either on a couple of planned 
activities or own their own. The inaugural “Flat Stanley Mini-Golf Tournament” was won by Chaplain (Capt.) Debbie “Tigress Woods” Prosser of the Nevada Wing. Second and third place
was determined by coin toss with Chaplain Ward coming in 2nd place and Maj. Jackie “Dynamite” DeCosta taking third place. Members of the chaplain service were thoroughly entertained on Thursday evening at a luau held at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki Beach. While Danny Couch was the featured entertainer, the showstoppers were our own Ned Lee (who single-handedly
broke up the entertainer and audience with his own interpretation of the Hawaiian word for “sweetheart” and is also a great Tahitian dancer) and Chaplain (LtC.) Del McLaughlin and his wife Marilyn, who celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Their on-stage interview with Danny Couch was priceless as well as Del’s singing of the Hawaiian Wedding Song to Marilyn. On Friday morning, members of the Chaplain Service went to Pearl Harbor to
visit the Arizona Monument and the U.S.S. Missouri.

During the college, however, there were times for prayer regarding special needs. The daughter of Dr. Hicks’ (Charis) continues on her path to recovery following a bone marrow transplant; Chaplain (Col.) James Melancon (National Chief of Chaplain Service) came to the college not feeling well and spent the entire time in his room. He left on Wednesday evening to attend the National Board in Washington D.C.; Col. Porco’s aged mother is in frail condition; on Thursday evening as they came to the luau, the son of Chaplain Del McLaughlin, Marv, learned that their home near Seattle,
Washington was burning to the ground. Marv, a retired USAF Col., and his wife Marilee, had joined his sister, Elaine to be with the McLaughlins on this trip. Their home was reported to be a total loss. One of the greatest benefits of attending these events is the support and fellowship that is formed by members of the chaplain service. We are indeed blessed to have such caring and supportive individuals throughout the PCR Chaplain Service.


In Service Together,

Paul
Ch (Maj.) Paul Ward
CAWG HC