Chaplain to Warriors
By BILL KIRST
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n Iraq from the Fall of 2005 until the Summer of 2006, I presided over ten memorial services and assisted at another 30 honoring 45 “Warriors”- brave Marines, Sailors and Soldiers who were killed in action. Such services are a MILITARY REMEMBERANCE mixture of a wake, a funeral without a coffin, and military remembrance. Hymns are sung, prayers are offered, and eulogies given. The dead are honored with a photograph being posted, the marker of a rifle, helmet, tags, and boots are central…and taps is played.”
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— (LCDR Michael R. Duesterhaus, CHC, USNR) Father Duesterhaus is a Navy chaplain who accompanied US Marines on two combat tours in Iraq including the period of heavy fighting in the “triangle of death” cities of Ramadi and Fallujah. He currently serves as a chaplain in the Reserve Forces at the Quantico Marine Corps Base. As a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, he is the Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Woodbridge, VA. His father was an Army officer and he is one of eight children. Interview conducted by William “Bill” Kirst (BK) with Father Duesterhaus (FATHER):
BK: Given Post Traumatic Stress (Disorder) is so topical today, could you give us your personal observations and views from your two combat tours
FATHER: Combat stress can arise because troops have not seen such violence in society. In combat you are grateful to be alive – to have a hot meal, get a shower, and call home. When you come back, there is a need to make time to adjust. The situation is a disorder if, after sufficient time, you do not adjust and over-react to things. There is help, plenty of help, for all involved. However, in my opinion, most troops don’t need professional therapy – what they need when they come home is a trusted ear and time. A “trusted ear” would be for example an older veteran (WW II, Korea or Vietnam) who tells today’s generation of warriors…”Be proud of your service – I have felt the same burden as you.” The real world of PTS(D) is a loss of a “brother warrior” in combat. (continued on page 24) spring / 2011 /
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