News and Events
Adopt-a-Chaplain Goes to Washington
If you were told you were going to meet with the President of the United States, what would you say? That was the question I faced after getting a phone call from Vanessa Beebe of the President's Public Liaison Office. There wasn't much notice—a phone call on Friday for a meeting the next Wednesday.
The meeting was called to recognize troop support organizations who are part of America Supports You (ASY), the official arm of the Department of Defense that coordinates the efforts of national grass roots troops support organizations. ASY has 250 members; ten were invited to the White House. I had previously attended a summit of those organizations in December 2006 at the Pentagon. At that time we were given high level briefings by Defense Department staff and I had the opportunity to meet the soon-to-depart Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
On Wednesday, February 28th, we convened in downtown Washington for an ASY-sponsored luncheon. We were briefed by Defense Department staff on new efforts by ASY to obtain corporate support for our efforts and were given an opportunity to ask questions and do some networking. The most notable undertaking from Adopt-a-Chaplain's perspective is a plan to arrange a USO-style tour of Iraq from a faith-based perspective. Christian entertainers and other leaders are scheduled to become part of this endeavor.
By 1:00 we were assembled outside the White House for a very complete security screening. From there, we were escorted to the West Wing.
Entering the Roosevelt Room, we were directed to our assigned seats, noted by placards stating our names and organizations. I was seated directly across from the President ... which prompted a series of offers of "want to trade?"
When the President entered, he walked around the room, greeted the group warmly and shook hands with everyone before taking his seat.
For the next hour, the President went around the table, asking about each person and the organization represented.
When he got to me, he said, "Welcome, Daniel. Tell me a little bit about Adopt-a-Chaplain."
"Thank you, Mr. President. We are most honored to be able to share this ministry with you. I should begin by telling you that my wife Ellen and I are graduates of Calvin College." The President grinned from ear to ear. "I've been there, you know." "Yes, I do. So I guess it should come as no surprise that ours is a faith-based ministry." I proceeded to describe Adopt-a-Chaplain, from its humble beginnings to its current size, providing spiritual and moral support through our chaplains to more than 70,000 of the troops serving in Iraq. "We had no idea that this ministry would blossom the way it has," I continued. "The only explanation is that it is a series of what we have come to call 'God things'." "God moves in mysterious ways," the President commented. "Yes, and effective ones at that," I quickly responded. The President nodded. "Indeed." Following an hour in the Roosevelt Room, the press corps was invited in and the President made his formal remarks. According to the schedule, the meeting was supposed to end. But the President surprised his staff by saying, "How would you like to come into the Oval Office. I'd like individual pictures with all of you." So, after some quick scrambling, we walked together into the Oval Office.
The President took the next ten minutes describing the room, how it was decorated and the significance of all its furnishings.
The President took special note of the carpeting that contains the Presidential Seal. "One of my first decisions as Chief Executive was to pick out this carpeting. So my first truly executive decision was to say," and he grinned, "'Ask Laura'." It was time for pictures. The President said, "I have a special gift that I give to soldiers who visit in the Oval Office, the official coin of the Commander-in-Chief. I would like each of you to have one as well." When my turn came, there was a brief moment to say a personal word. This was my chance. I said, "Mr. President, I want you to know that we are all praying for you." A contented look crossed his face. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I can tell."
Pictures finished, we all stood around for a few moments, chatting in small groups. I was in a group of four with the President, all of whom have homes in Maine. I said, "Say, when you're in Maine this summer, why don't you grab a couple of Secret Service guys and pop over for a visit. We're on an island near the Brunswick Naval Air Station. If we need extra security, my daughter has a little dog that can take out the bad guys." The President just shook his head and chuckled. After one more handshake, I hurried to join the rest of the group for the post-event media interviews.