“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35

Last night I watched an Air Force major general with a rack of ribbons on his chest that could be seen from space openly weep in front of a room full of military personnel and church leaders. It was unusual to say the least. I know, military men and women experience the same emotions as any of us–it’s just I’m not used to seeing them exhibit those emotions in public.

What was the occasion? That made it even more unusual . . .

The emoter was Chaplain (Maj.Gen.) Cecil Richardson, and he’s an American hero. Now the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain Richardson addressed conferees of our Evangelical Church Alliance meeting in Ft. Mitchell, KY. He spoke about his 33-year career. He told us how he had ministered to the fallen, his own uniform soaked in blood. He described carrying human remains over his shoulder. He recounted the death notice visits to wives, husbands, parents, whole families, but he was rather matter-of-fact about those things. It was when he talked about his own love for God and for the the men and women under his charge that he broke. Several times the otherwise well-presented and extraordinarily articulate, dynamic communicator had to pause to collect himself.

OK, we all know that men have a tougher time emoting than their female counterparts, but a guy an immaculate haircut, in a crisp uniform, patten leather shoes, and that chest-full of extra weight could be given even more space to be stoic.

Not this one. Like the Lord Jesus the Major General serves, he wept.

Thank you Chaplain Major General Cecil Richardson for what you do in service to our God and to our men and women in uniform. And thank you even more for your tears–and for your courage in displaying them to a room full of strangers last night.

Rob +

A general weeps as he talks about the God he loves and the men and women he serves.

Tags: "military chaplains", Air force chaplaincy, Chaplain (Maj.Gen.) Cecil Richardson, Chaplain Corps, Chaplains, Chief of Chaplains, chiefs of chaplains, Defend Our American Chaplains, eca, evangelical church alliance, Evangelical Church Alliance International, military chaplaincy, Rev. Rob Schenck, Rob Schenck, United States Air Force, USAF

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