Providers build spiritual fitness at prayer breakfast

By Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson, 13^th ESC PAO

Soldiers from the 13^th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) paused from their normal routines to sit down for a spiritually refreshing prayer breakfast at the Freeman Café dining facility here July 3.

The guest speaker for the breakfast was retired chaplain (Lt. Col.) Harlon Triplett who spoke to the Soldiers about the importance of why Soldiers need God.

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Brian Crane, the 13^th ESC chaplain, organized the event for the Soldiers wanting to focus on strengthening the unit’s spiritual fitness.

“The goal is to focus on the spiritual aspects of our Soldiers,” said Crane. “We always focus on the physical, emotional and mental health of the force; today was an opportunity to talk about the spiritual. To build a healthy body, we must take in healthy food and work out with physical training. To build spiritual fitness, we must take in spiritual messages.”

Triplett referenced several anecdotes during his speech, including referencing life to a game of football.

“If you were to talk to someone in their 20s, 30s or 40s, to compare their life to a football game, and ask, ‘what quarter are you in?’ most would say the 2^nd or 3^rd quarter. If you ask a Soldier that same question, they might not know the answer,” said Triplett. “Soldiers are called upon to deploy into harm’s way and to risk their life in defense of the country. Soldiers may not always know when the final buzzer is going to sound and thus need to be prepared if the game ends earlier than planned for.”

Triplett also talked about the Soldiers being his heroes and said he always enjoys opportunities to return back to talk to the Soldiers. “They are the reason I served for 22 years and the reason I always enjoy returning back to talk to the Soldiers.”