65 ABW events focus on spirituality, Comprehensive Airman Fitness

by Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

2/7/2014 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- Military life brings many challenges. Sometimes it gets really tough, and trials become overwhelming. How do you respond as an individual, a couple or a family when the wind knocks you off your feet, and life delivers an unseen blow?

The Lajes Field Chapel presented two seminars and a luncheon Feb. 4 through 6 to help Airmen strengthen their resiliency and spirituality, one pillar of Comprehensive Airman Fitness.

One seminar, Marriage Ready, a spiritual-based seminar for both singles and couples of all faiths, was Feb. 4, focusing on spirituality. The second seminar, Fireproof Your Marriage, was a Christian-based religious program held Feb. 6.

Guest speakers of the week's events were U.S. Army Col. (ret.) Keith Morgan and his wife, Sharon, who visit military bases in efforts to help build resiliency within military ready families.

On Feb. 5 two hundred Lajes members attended the National Prayer Luncheon to pray for the base, community and government, as well as listen to the guest speaker highlight the importance of spirituality.

"The Air Force recognizes we are spiritual beings and these events presented tools to increase spiritual awareness within ourselves," said Chaplain (Capt.) Sean Knox, 65th Air Base Wing Chapel. "To ignore any one pillar of the Comprehensive Airman Fitness would be to ignore part of who you are."

Comprehensive Airman Fitness is an Air Force-wide initiative based on improving Airman readiness by solidifying the mental, physical, social and spiritual pillars.

Many denominations were recognized during the National Prayer Luncheon, which is normally observed the second Thursday of each February. This tradition was initiated in 1953 when former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower joined members of the government together to pray for the country.

"Since then, there has been a National Prayer Breakfast or a National Prayer Lunch in military chapels all around the world," said Knox, a Catholic chaplain and the 65th ABW National Prayer Luncheon organizer. "These programs are important for all Airmen as people come to pray together in a non-denominational way and bring their petitions to whatever god they believe in."