Gunner's Blog

Washington, D.C. - In a letter yesterday to the Department of the Army Inspector General, LTG Stanley Green, Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) requested an investigation of an incident involving an Army chaplain stationed in Iraq who was allegedly removed from his chapel for speaking to the media about the importance of the freedom to pray according to one's faith tradition.

"It has come to my attention that in all branches of the military it is increasingly difficult for chaplains to pray in adherence to their faith," Congressman Jones wrote.  "I have read reports, received letters, and seen documentation which verifies that suppression of religious freedom throughout our Armed Forces is a pervasive problem, affecting military chaplains from all denominations and religions.  Of particular concern is an incident involving Army Captain Chaplain Jonathon Stertzbach of the 3-6 FA HHB in Iraq.  I am writing to request that the Army Inspector General investigate whether Chaplain Stertzbach was illegally removed from his chapel."

Chaplain Stertzbach was asked by another unit to serve the spiritual needs of its soldiers, in addition to his own battalion, in weekly movement to an undisclosed Fire Operating Base (FOB).  During one of the missions, tragically, one of the soldiers was killed in action.  The unit's Commanding Officer asked this chaplain to perform the memorial ceremony because he had bravely served the soldiers, and gone to the risk of convoying to the FOB weekly.  Before the memorial ceremony, the chaplain submitted two prayers and a meditation for the Division Chaplain and his direct supervising chaplain for review.  The Brigade Chaplain attempted to remove the chaplain from administering the prayers of the memorial ceremony because he concluded his prayer in the name of Jesus Christ in a public forum.  The chaplain, adhering to his conscience and faith tradition, said he would not strike the words Jesus Christ. 

The unit's Commanding Officer intervened, explaining that Chaplain Stertzbach volunteered to serve a different unit outside of his assigned unit and placed his life in harm’s way to provide for the needs of the unit’s soldiers.  The Commanding Officer instructed that Chaplain Stertzbach would pray according to his faith tradition and the prayers he initially submitted.  The Brigade Chaplain told him to begin by qualifying his prayer with, "Please pray according to your faith tradition, as I pray according to mine" and to close with, "in thy name we pray, and in Jesus' name I pray."  Chaplain Stertzbach delivered the memorial meditation and prayers for the fallen hero, but still followed orders with the 'qualifier' remaining in place.

When Chaplain Stertzbach's story reached the media, he was quoted in the Washington Times stating, "You need to allow people to pray according to their faith group. Many faith groups do not pray in general and generic terms....  For Christian groups, the name of Jesus is from where all the power comes."  The incident surrounding the memorial ceremony and Chaplain Stertzbach's answers to the media resulted in his removal from chapel.

"I believe Chaplain Stertzbach answered questions fairly, accurately, and within his legal rights.  I am concerned that Chaplain Stertzbach was removed without justification," Jones concluded.

Jones' letter is part of an ongoing effort to protect the first amendment rights of all military chaplains and reflects his continued concern for chaplains who have suffered from restrictions placed on the expressions of their faith.

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.