My Coins - Chief of Chaplains

This coin is one of the more interesting in my collection. It was presented to me by the Army Chief of Chaplains, Major General Carver--an ordained Southern Baptist preacher/pastor. MG Carver had been visiting Fort Carson because a Chaplain in one of 4th ID's Brigade Combat Teams had been killed in Afghanistan. MG Carver came for a memorial service for that Chaplain. While MG Carver was on Fort Carson, the 4th Infantry Division hosted a prayer breakfast. At the last minute, the DSTB's S-6 Shop was tasked with setting up a PA system at the venue where the breakfast was held. We had to scramble to find a system, because the shop did not actually own any such equipment. Normally, we would coordinate with the training aids center on Fort Carson for that type of equipment. Because the request came in at the last minute, there was not time to make those coordinations. Well, we managed to get in touch with the 4th Infantry Division's Public Affairs Office and they had a PA system that we could use.

So, we picked up the equipment and stored it in our office over night. The breakfast was scheduled for early the next morning--like 0630 early. The BN S-6, who was a fairly new Lieutenant, volunteered for the mission, along with myself and one of my technicians. Because this request came in at the last minute, we made the mission totally voluntary. I would have done the whole thing myself, if needed. Also, the LT asked the Division Chaplain's Office (the request had come through them) if MG Carver had any coins. She felt that since we were responding to a last minute request, then we deserved some sort of token of appreciation. MG Carver agreed to present coins to us for our assistance. The next morning, I picked up my technician and we met the LT at the venue where the breakfast was held. We set up the PA system and even got tapped to play a CD during part of the program. Breakfast was good and the ceremony was awesome. The LT, my technician, and I all had a really good time. After everything was done, we went to work breaking down the equipment. MG Carver came over to us and presented the coins. He also chatted with us for a few minutes. I was thoroughly impressed with MG Carver. Now, this coin was my seventh, coin and my second from a General Officer. For the LT and my technician, it was their first. My technician--a Wiccan remarked that it was ironic that his first coin came from a Christian Chaplain. I think he still polishes that coin every day, or at least that's the rumor.

The coin has on one side the words "NURTURING," "CARING," "HONORING," "AMERICA'S SOLDIERS" going around the coin and there are two stars separating each of the words. The stars obviously reflective of the rank of the man who presented the coin. In the center is the Chaplaincy crest with the Latin words PRO DEO ET PATRIA or "For God and Country." There are also two raised silver stars, again reflective of the rank of Major General. The other side of the coin features a scene of a Chaplain ministering to Soldiers in a combat environment in the center. Around the outside are the words "PRESENTED BY THE CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS FOR EXCELLENCE" with two stars between the "F" in "FOR" and "P" in "Presented" and between the final "E" in "Excellence" and the "S" in "Chaplains." I am not sure this coin holds any real emotional significance for me, other than the fact that I was so impressed with MG Carver and that I was happy for my LT and my technician for the fact that both of them got their first coins of their careers. I know that this coin will always remind me of my time on Fort Carson with the 4th Infantry Division and the accomplishments I made there.