Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 438
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 438

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

438 SPECIAL MINISTRIES AND SUNDRY MATTERS

Army. Richard A. Eissfeldt, Henry O. Kittermann
(deceased), Robert E. Klewin, Harold G. Woodworth

Navy. Arthur E. Kentopp, Robert L. Richter, Carl F.
Schmidt Jr., Carlton C. Spatzek

Air Force. John F. Daniels, Herbert R. Klepatz,
George E. Mennen, Delvin E. Ressel, Joel E. Ross, Carl
T. Schmidt

As of March 1, 1969, the following number of mili-
tary chaplains were on active duty:

U.S. Army ... ..... a 58
U.S. Navy ......... . 2. ©6626
Canadian Navy .... 1
U.S. Air Force ... . 38

Total 200. 0. 123

IV. Veterans Administration Hospitals

A. Our Synod has seven full-time Veterans Admin-
istration chaplains on duty and 20 part-time.

B. The Armed Forces Commission also has four pas-
tors stationed in the New York, Chicago, San Francisco,
and Los Angeles areas, where there are numerous Vet-
erans Administration installations. Ministering to hos-
pitalized veterans in these institutions are: Chaplain
Bernard L. Danner, Chicago area: Chaplain Frank
Frese, San Francisco area: Chaplain William R. Thier-
felder, New York area; and Chaplain Ottomar H. Tiet-
jen, Los Angeles area.

V. Civil Air Patrol

The Armed Forces Commission on behalf of the
Synod endorses chaplains who apply for this voluntary
activity. Total number: 29.

VI. Commission Members

Rev. Arthur M. Weber, D. D., chairman: Cpt. Robert
M. Strieter, USN (Ret.), vice-chairman: Rev. Gerald E.
Kuhn, secretary; Mr. Gus A. Bremer Jr.: Prof. Edwin
W. Leverenz; Rev. Clarence W. Luekens: Rev. Maynard
F. Pollex.

VIL. Staff

Rev. Kenneth L. Ahl, D. D., Executive Director:
Chaplain Walter G. Malinsky, Assistant Director.

VII. Letters

We get hundreds of unsolicited letters from service-
men, servicemen’s wives, and their parents. One that
came just a day or two before writing this report ex-
emplifies the appreciation which many members of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod have for this pro-

gram: Sanford, Michigan
February 18, 1969

ARMED Forces COMMISSION
2633 Sixteenth Street, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20009

May I take this opportunity to thank you so sincerely for
your thought of our son, John Maynard. while he was in
the Armed Services, let you know how much these com-
munications meant to him while in combat, and at the
same time inform you that he has been discharged and
is back at home with us, for which we are very grateful.

If you at the home office could see the Portals of Prayer
booklets which he brought home with him from Vietnam,
see just how much they were worn, torn, and tattered,
been wet and dried out many times, you would know
how many times he turned to them.

Though a very poorly posed picture, one of our favorites
is the one of him sitting on the ground, face barely vis-~
ible; he was reading his prayer book before going out
on a combat mission.

Many of us are so busy that we often do not take time
to express our appreciation for deeds, maybe there will
be many of the boys you do not hear from, but I am sure
they are as appreciative as our son and his parents. Our
boys surely need this comfort to sustain them in such
a horrible conflict.

Thank you again,

Very truly yours,

s/Mr. AND Mrs. JOSEPH C. MAYNarpD, SR.
873 West Maynard Road

Sanford, Michigan 48657

On behalf of John A. Maynard, US 54966683

The names on our referral list in the last year have
averaged between 36,000 and 38,000 military people.
In addition, through its Veterans Administration chap-
lains and hospital pastors, the commission serves an-
other 8,000 people. It is impossible for us to estimate
how many persons are reached through the ministra-
tions of our military chaplains. This ministry to men
and women in the military, to their dependents, and
to veterans in hospitals is sustained by the freewill
offerings of our people on Mother's Day. Their response
shows a love-inspired interest and concern for these
young men and young women away from home.

KENNETH L. AHL, Executive Director
GERALD E, Kuun, Secretary

(11-05)
To Present a Common Witness
with Other Denominations to Lodges

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
has presented a witness to unchristian lodges: “The
Synod is firmly opposed to lodges or societies of an
unchristian or anti-Christian character” (14.07, Bylaws
Article XIV, “Fraternal Organizations’); and

WueErEAS, The Roman Catholic Church has histori-
cally likewise opposed such membership in canon law:
and

Wuereas, There are Protestant bodies which main-
tain a similar attitude toward lodges and societies of an
unchristian or anti-Christian character; and

Wuereas, It would be to our mutual encouragement
and strengthening to intensify mutual support and co-
operation in presenting a common witness to lodges or
societies of an unchristian or anti-Christian character:
therefore be it

Resalved, That the Minnesota South District petition
the Synod at its Denver convention to express to the
College of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in
the United States, and to other Protestant bodies which
maintain a similar attitude as we toward “lodges or
societies of an unchristian or anti-Christian character,”
our desire to intensify mutual encouragement, study,