War Cry - February, 2016 Page 29

The War Cry | FEBRUARY 2016

illions travel through our nation's airports each

year. Sometimes a traveler needs help. Negotiat-

ing airports can be stressful, and assistance can

take in a number of forms. That's why many airports have

a chaplaincy program. At the Hartsfi eld-Jackson Atlanta

International Airport, one Salvationist works 32 hours a

week to meet whatever needs a pilgrim might encounter.

Major Robert Bagley, a retired Salvation Army officer,

is one of roughly 30 volunteer chaplains serving at the

Atlanta Airport. While many hubs have chaplaincy

programs, to date, Atlanta's is the only one in the U.S.
where a Salvationist serves in this unique expression
of love in action.

Three chapels are located in

the massive airport, arguably
one of the busiest in the United
States. Major Bagley often
wanders the international and
domestic terminals, as well as
the six concourses, in search of
travelers who need assistance,
simple directions or a willing
listener. "And it's not just
passengers in need of help;
often airport employees seek
out a chaplain for some type
of personal matter," Major
Bagley says.

Jewish, Protestant, Catholic and Muslim clergy are

on hand to help anyone in need and to conduct worship
services. "We've been called upon to conduct funerals--
usually for airport employees, or for their family members,"
the major explains. "We also do seasonal celebrations."

Sometimes a chaplain is given the unfortunate task

of finding a traveler whose relative has passed away and
delivering the news.

A recent task involved a man who died while he was

deplaning, Bagley recalls. The chaplaincy office re-
mained with the family for the five hours until arrange-
ments could be made to return to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"The airline did a wonderful job giving us everything we

needed to help that family, including a meal and assis-
tance in getting them back home," Bagley says.

Bagley's work as an airport chaplain comes under

the supervision of The Salvation Army's Atlanta
Metropolitan Area Command of the Georgia Division.
He works at least 32 hours each week over the course
of four days.

The idea of having a Salvation Army officer on the

chaplaincy team was born when the airport's executive
director met officers serving as chaplains at airports
in London, Scotland and Kenya. Bagley muses, "He
pledged to broach the possibility of assigning an officer
to Atlanta to the next officer he saw. It turned out to be

Lt. Colonel Donald Faulkner, secretary for personnel at
the time. That had to be a God thing!" Bagley says.

Bagley served in the U.S. Coast Guard before

becoming a Salvation Army officer in the early 1970s,
so naturally his heart is with any military personnel
either going to or returning from service overseas.

"A lot of military men and

women coming through

Atlanta these days are recruits

on their way [to] Fort Benning
for basic training, but when
personnel were being deployed
to the fighting in the Middle

East, we often prayed with

them and tried to encourage
them," he says. He adds that
though this was a somber task,
he and the other chaplains will
be ready to assist those who
fight for our freedom next time.

"One of the most moving

aspects of this job," Bagley

says, "has been when a fallen soldier or sailor returns
home in a casket. [Chaplains] accompany the honor
guard and any family members on hand to welcome
our nation's heroes back home."

One such ceremony took place following a terrorist

attack on a military recruiting station in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, last year. One of the Marines killed that
day was transported home via Atlanta. "The airline
company pulled out all the stops," Bagley says, "and as
the flag-draped coffin was brought onto the tarmac,
some 300 airport employees came out to see this young
man off. It was one of the most moving things I've ever
experienced."

Serving as an airport chaplain is a unique compo-

nent of the Army's Community Care Ministries.

"This is, in its own way, an extension of the true

mission of the Army; meeting the needs of people,
encouraging them in their daily lives and witnessing
to them about the love of Jesus. What's not to love
about it?"

Major Robert Bagley is one of 30 chaplains ready to
serve travelers and employees in need throughout the
Atlanta Airport complex.

by MAJOR FRANK DURACHER

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