Lesson 5: "Just a Chaplain"
By Gary C. Walker
February 6, 2005


Because this is the first article I have been asked to write for the Chaplains of the Confederacy, I had decided to write an article entitled, "An Introduction." I was going to tell the reader how God has used me. I was going to go into great detail about how He took a child that couldn't read and turned him into the only author in the State of Virginia that earns his entire income writing books about the War Between the States. I was going to tell how one of my seven books, The Truth about Slavery, has changed the way people in this country view that institution. I was also going to tell how my latest book, A General History of the Civil War, the Southern Point of View, is changing the way America feels about the war. I was going to show how Yankee written history is, in large measure, false and that Confederates were the heroes, not the villains. That was what I was going to write about until the phone rang.

Because I make my living writing, I travel much and visit with many organizations where I give speeches. Thus, I have met many Chaplains and heard many prayers. I have had many people answer my question as to their position with the organization by saying, "I'm just the Chaplain." I have had conversations with many of these same people. The subjects they talked on and the language many used did not indicate to me that they were Christians much less Chaplains! I have often felt that they thought it was their duty to muddle a few words that included God and Jesus to let people know the meeting was opening or closing.

I was organizing my thoughts to write "An Introduction," when the phone rang. It was then that this whole article changed. The call was from the Commander of the Fincastle Rifles. He informed me that one of our members had passed away. Our SCV camp, here in Roanoke, is large enough that we will do a Confederate Graveside Ceremony for members who request it. In a couple of days I will join the commander, uniformed pallbearers and the firing squad at a hole in the ground. It will be our last tribute to a member, a friend, his family and his friends. I will speak words of farewell which I hope will comfort those present. I know I will speak to people who haven't been in church for a long time and who don't know the Savior, who came out of the grave, so I will close with these words: "The next time you go to a funeral and the service is over and all the people leave, it may be you who remains." I get to speak to more sinners at a graveside than most pastors do on Sunday morning. I also visit hospitalized members. I don't take them flowers; I take them a small Confederate Battle Flag. They are usually over joyed to receive it. I then remind them that it's the Cross of St. Andrew that our ancestors up held. Then I asked if they know about the Cross of Peter and the Cross of Christ? Then I ask if they know the Jesus who died on the cross for them? If asked, I do visit in homes where I counsel and pray with those who are facing an earthly crisis or preparing to leave this earth.

I have used my office to help members settle their disputes. This past week I have spent much time attempting to arrange a private, face-to-face meeting between the Commander of the Virginia Division and the Commander of the Fincastle Rifles. Just like our Southern officers, of old, when our officers of today are not fighting the enemy, they fight each other. I was hoping to get the two together so that they could make peace and avoid a battle at the Executive Council Meeting scheduled for February 13th in Appomattox. Because of my office, I have the right and duty to intercede. Because of my office, they had the obligation to listen to my request.

I am not "just a Chaplain." I don't muddle a few words so that those present will know when it's time to start and when it's time to go home. I pray to God, the Creator, and His Son, our Savior. I am not "just a Chaplain" for a few minutes at a meeting, I am a Chaplain! walkersbooks@wmconnect.com or garycwalker.com