AFSPC Chaplain speaks of courage, heroism at National Prayer Luncheon

  • Published
  • By Aimran 1st Class Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  This year's National Prayer Luncheon was held at the Grizzly Bend Club March 5, with Chaplain (Col.) Brian Hunter, Air Force Space Command Chaplain, serving as the guest speaker. 

The luncheon opened with the presentation of the colors by the Honor Guard, the singing of the National Anthem by Chief Master Sgt. Steve Sergeant, 341st Space Wing command chief, and featured the Chinook Winds, a quintet from the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra. Sacred readings from Tehillim, read by 2nd Lt. Joshua Scheinberg, 10th Missile Squadron; the Qur'an, read by Airman 1st Class Yohan Tawith, 341st Security Forces Squadron; and the Bible, read by Tech. Sgt. Tyhessia Stephens 341st Services Squadron were presented, followed by Chaplain Hunters introduction. 

This year's theme was "Trumpets, Torches and Other Things" and passages were read from the book of Judges, highlighting the trials of Gideon overcoming a vast army with only 300 men. The main focus of the message was heroism and what that means to us today. 

The passages from Judges Chapter 7, Verses 2 to 7 and 16 to 21, describe how God spoke to Gideon, telling him to ask all the men in his army who were fearful, to return home, leaving only 10,000 men. The Lord then instructed Gideon to give his men other tests to see who was worthy. 

Gideon was left with only 300 men to face an army of much greater numbers. So the army of 300 was divided into three groups, surrounding the enemy camp, and armed with only trumpets, torches and glass jars. Simultaneously, the 300 men sounded their trumpets, broke their jars and held their torches high, frightening the Midianites and causing them to flee from their camp, defeated. 

This led Chaplain Hunter to his message of heroism, and what makes a hero in today's day and age. 

"A recent poll showed that of 1,000 people, not a single one could name a hero in today's society," Chaplain Hunter said. "One in six people had no hero, the rest named someone from the past." 

He then noted the top five heroes those participating in the polls named were Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr., Colin Powell, John F. Kennedy and Mother Theresa. 

"We, as a society, may also be too sophisticated to keep our heroes on pedestals," he said. "Yet we cling to television and movie heroes, fantasy characters, in our search to believe in something." 

Chaplain Hunter pointed out many American's have recently lost heroes due to the debunking of myths, accusations of performance-enhancing drugs and not having a great evil for people to stand up against and become heroes. Terrorism is becoming one of those great evils, he said, but he used examples from the past such as slavery. 

"The definition of heroism changed on 9/11," Chaplain Hunter said. "Firemen and police are heroes; the men who stopped and risked their lives to help a paraplegic down the stairs are heroes; and those who worked at ground zero, gave blood and gave money after 9/11 were heroes." 

Anyone who sacrifices their safety or their lives for the sake of another person is a hero, including the 35,000 Airmen who have served in the Global War on Terrorism, he said. 

"Heroes give life to something bigger than themselves and we all have heroic potential," Chaplain Hunter said. "Not all heroes come with trumpets, torches and other things." 

"From time to time we're all called on to be heroes, and even if you don't think you're a hero, someone does, whether it's a family member, friend or a person on the street who sees you in a uniform," he said. "May we continue to pray our Nation keeps bringing up heroes like us. See any torches? Hear any trumpets?"