Military chaplain to deploy to Iraq
War has its horrors. But to imagine the violence without holy peace and compassion is even starker for the Rev. John Painter, chaplain at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
"Let's do this with as much kindness and reserve and holding back as possible," Painter said, when asked to reconcile his Baptist faith, which maintains murder is a sin, with his career as a full-time military chaplain. "My overarching word is 'grace.' I hope God understand the positions we're put in," he said.
Painter, 40, will deploy voluntarily to Tallil Air Base in Iraq as early as Aug. 25. As a member of the Air Force Reserves, he considers traveling to a war zone his duty.
Those who have been through deployments — the veterans to whom he ministers — understand him. They recognize the gleam in his eye. Civilians, however, think he's crazy, Painter said.
At the VA, Painter has met veterans from many wars, and they all share a sense of camaraderie. But the word "camaraderie" isn't right, he said, pausing to consider the bond.
"There's general stuff they'll talk to anyone about, but there's a line where
they will look at you and see if you understand," he said.
In going to Iraq, Painter hopes to gain more access to what's beyond that line. But that's not why he's going.
"Calling is a hard thing to describe," he said. "It's internal."
Painter's demeanor can be a little starchy, but he has a ready laugh and eager interest in what others say.
With a doctorate in the Old Testament, he looks forward to seeing Ur, the birthplace of Abraham, located in Tallil. His eyes sparkle when talking about how Abraham is a figure in Islam and Christianity.
Despite his faint scholarly air, he leaves some big questions for God to resolve.
"I do not have to get involved in whether someone believes some doctrine back there," he said.
Painter mulled the idea of going to Iraq for a while. He talked it over with his wife, Stacey, and they agreed on spring, when there would be no holidays or family birthdays to miss.
But he wasn't fully settled on that decision, and one day in June, he paused in his car before going into the VA. He prayed for a sign. As soon as he walked in the hospital, he received word that the Air Force Reserve Chaplain Service called. He was needed to replace a chaplain who had a medical emergency.
Painter plans to be gone through Jan. 1. While he is away, he'll miss his wife's birthday, and his children, Jonathan, 11, and Emily, 7, will each turn a year older in November.
Painter has seen a picture taken on Christmas Eve 2007 in Tallil. Airmen in full "battle rattle" stood outside at night with candles, singing carols.
In a place where there is no consistency, Painter hopes to bring men and women serving abroad a sense of normalcy and routine.
Painter first learned the power of transcending religion to the realm of faith at The Citadel, where he graduated in 1989. He served as facilitator for the religious council, which discussed issues for different faith groups.
This is what chaplaincy in the military is like, he realized.
"This is the core of what faith is," he said.
"My job is to go spend time with people and get to know people," he said.
Hearing the life stories of those who lived the regaled military history is an inspiration.
One veteran spoke at length with Painter about his experience as a turret gunner aboard a World War II bomber. The gunner's plane was shot down on five consecutive missions. Each time, they were able to land or bail safely.
"How did he get in that fifth plane?" Painter asked.
That last mission ended with the gunner parachuting toward the English Channel, stricken that he couldn't swim.
"After all he went through, he thought it would end with him drowning," Painter said.
But the gunner floated the 300 yards to shore and requested a desk job, which he was granted.
The Jewish veteran requested Painter lead his memorial service, an honor he fulfilled.
"He wanted someone who knew him to do it," he said.
Reach Jill Coley at 937-5719 or jcoley@postandcourier.com.
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