ANG Prayer Breakfast '99

Story by Maj Herb Porter - Photo by SPC Charles Ames

Chaplain (BG) Langford

Members of the Washington Air National Guard recently attended the Western Washington ANG Annual Prayer Breakfast at Camp Murray.   The theme "New Millennium, New Challenges, Same God" was highlighted with a dynamic devotional message by Chaplain Brigadier General Victor Langford. The event not only marked the 50th Anniversary of the Air Force Chaplain Service, but it coincided with the release that day of the three U.S. Army service members, who had been held captive by the Serbian government for over a month.

The 5th annual prayer breakfast included a slide show featuring Air National Guard members from throughout the state. Army Sergeant Ethan Wagner provided special keyboard music. The devotional message by Chaplain Langford was followed by a time of thanksgiving and prayer requests. The command chaplain of the Washington Air Guard emphasized the importance of the prayer breakfast. "Being called to prayer, renews our sense of commitment to God. He is always there for us and it is a comfort to know that one is not alone", stated Maj Peter Beck. He went on by saying that it brings Guard members together, recognizing the importance of God in our military mission, particularly with the uncertainties of the last few years. Fellow Chaplain Maj Chris Lensch expressed similar sentiments. "Special times like these reinforce the spiritual dimension of our lives. It is an acknowledgement that all of our resources come from God".

Chaplain’s Langford’s message underscored the importance of communication with God and that prayer does make a difference in world events as evidenced by the release of three captured U.S. soldiers. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Chaplain Langford is an ordained Lutheran minister, having graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary. He is currently president of the African American Lutheran Association of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has served congregations throughout the United States including New Orleans and Houston and currently is the pastor of Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church in Seattle, Washington. He was commissioned in the Army National Guard. Chaplain Langford’s previous assignments included being a Battalion and Brigade Chaplain. In addition, he has been a State Area Command Chaplain for the Washington Army National Guard. He currently serves as the Army National Guard Special Assistant to the Chief of Chaplains, Department of the Army. Chaplain Langford was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General last September.

The origin of the Air Force Chaplain Service is rooted in the emergence of the Air Force as a separate branch in 1947. Initially, Army Chaplains served the Air Force. However, it didn’t take very long for the Air Force to realize the importance of having complete control over all its forces and the conviction that an effective religious ministry depended upon identification of the chaplain with the airmen. As a result, within two years legislation was passed which created a separate chaplain service for the Air Force. Orders transferring chaplains to the Air Force became effective on July 26, 1949 the day recognized as the birth date of the Air Force Chaplain Service.