Church of God Chaplain Delivers Veteran’s Day Address
November 11, 2011–Cleveland, Tenn.–Retired Army Chaplain Col. Robert Jenkins delivered the Veterans Day address Friday morning from the steps of the Bradley County Courthouse Plaza in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Jenkins speaks on the steps of the Bradley County Courthouse.
Jenkins began his military career as an enlisted soldier in Vietnam and ended it as an ordained bishop, representing the Church of God as its senior U.S. Army chaplain until his retirement from active duty in 2003. During his address, Jenkins said there are more than 50,000 veterans living within a 50-mile radius of Cleveland. He spoke about how these veterans are a part of everyday life, whether it is his barber, pizza delivery driver or doctor who served in the armed forces.
“Everywhere you look; working, shopping or eating, there are veterans,” Chaplain Jenkins said. “They are young and old, male or female; black, white or Hispanic and each one still contributes and helps others.
Jenkins holds a bachelor of arts degree from Lee University; master of divinity from Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas; and doctor of ministry, Drew University, Madison, N.J. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa., and the International Humanitarian Aid and Assistance Program, Fordham University in New York and University of Geneva, Switzerland.
The Ohio native has served as founding pastor of the Sunlighter’s Chapel in Cleveland, and as pastor of eight collective Protestant congregations located on military installations within the United States as well as in Germany and Belgium. He has been guest speaker at some of the largest Christian churches in the world, including Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea.
Since 1978, he served as a command chaplain in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); 3rd Infantry Division; NATO/SHAPE and Belgium Community; and the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery.
Chaplain Jenkins
In June 1993, Jenkins assumed duties as command chaplain of the 104th Area Support Group. He served as installation command chaplain, Fort Drum, N.Y., followed by service as command chaplain of the United States Special Operations Command in Tampa, Fla. His final assignment was as command chaplain for the United Nations Command, Republic of Korea/U.S. Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea and the 8th United States Army.
His military awards and decoration include: three Presidential Unit Citations; three National Defense Service Medals; 30 individual medals recognizing meritorious achievement, superior service or valor on the battlefield; 16 service medals; five campaign battle stars; U.S. Army Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Air Assault Badge, Airborne Badge (with 59 jumps); and Airborne Badges from 15 foreign nations.
He was formally inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Ga., in April 2003.
The retired colonel’s civilian recognition includes: co-founder and first president of the Korean and American Pastor’s Association, 2003, Seoul, South Korea; Lee University Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, 1996; Church of God Distinguished Chaplain Award, 1992-1994; Chaplain Commission’s Desert Storm Award, 1992; and Outstanding Young Men of America, 1976.
(Article adapted from the Cleveland Daily Banner)
