ALI BASE, Iraq (ACCNS) -- - When Spc. Jacob Boomsaad fell in love with a fellow soldier while serving in Iraq, he feared he would have to delay the wedding until almost six months after they leave here to marry in a Catholic church.
That is until the specialist with the Headquarters Company 2-142nd Infantry, Texas Army National Guard, Lubbock, Texas, met Chaplain (Capt.) Chad Zielinski, 407th Air Expeditionary Group Catholic chaplain.
Chaplain Zielinski is the only U.S. military Catholic chaplain for servicemembers stationed in Southeastern Iraq, and met the couple while trying to meet the religious needs of fellow Catholics outside Ali Base.
So when Specialist Boomsaad and his fianc approached him about their wedding plans, he said it was a breath of fresh air. His typical day centers around helping servicemembers through tough issues and concerns like infidelity, death, and money and relationship problems that crop up back home and affect their duty performance here.
Im helping them to form goals and dreams for their future, said Chaplain Zielinski. Its exciting.
Although Chaplain Zielinski cant marry the two lovebirds here, hes planning to in Texas when they all return from their deployments.
In the meantime, he provided marital counseling. If he hadnt, it would have delayed their matrimonial vows by the four to six months it normally takes to attain counseling after they return.
It was a wait they had resigned themselves to accept as the price of finding love in a war zone.
Another priest told us we had to wait, said Sgt. Cintia Hernandez-Flores, 215th Quartermaster, Indiana Army Reserve, Jeffersonville, Ind., who is deployed to Camp Cedar, which is about a ten minute drive from Ali. We live in different states, and we both go to college. It would have been very expensive to fly every weekend to do the preparation.
Father Chad was very supportive. Its a difficult thing for people to understand that we werent just trying to find someone for the deployment, Sergeant Hernandez-Flores said.
It wasnt hard for Chaplain Zielinski to understand.
One day each person in the Air Force will no longer be in the Air Force, said Chaplain Zielinski. The chaplains mission is to bring an opportunity for each person to explore their beliefs and values in life.
Hes helped airman basics to two-star generals, and says the chaplaincy is a safe haven for all who need a break from the demands of the mission.
Hes quick to point out that hes not here just for Catholics. The chaplain staff serves all religions and also provides counseling services.
We are the only organization in the military that can provide servicemembers with privileged communication, said Chaplain Zielinski, who is stationed at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom.
Regardless of ones faith background, they should feel free to talk to a chaplain about what issues or concerns they may have, Chaplain Zielinski said. You have absolute confidentiality; we are not allowed to talk to anyone about what you say.
Possessing the mindset have combat boots will travel, he takes the gospel to those in need and performs five masses weekly, spread out between Ali, Camp Cedar and Scania. Scania is a remote site located a three-to-four-hour convoy from here.
Twenty-five percent of the military is Catholic, but we have a critical shortage of Catholic priests in all services, said Chaplain Zielinski.
It has been that way for several years. In November 2003 to March 2004, he was deployed to Baghdad International Airport where he saw more than his share of death and helped the Army chaplaincy there.
Two chaplains and I provided memorial services to more than 120 deceased soldiers, Chaplain Zielinski said. That is something that will rock you to the core of your being seeing seven or eight dead Soldiers lying there in the back of an airplane.
Fortunately, he hasnt had that experience at Ali, but knowing the potential for violence is here doesnt stop him from traveling throughout the dangerous roadways of Iraq.
I know Im serving a critical need, said Chaplain Zielinski. I will go out of my way even if that means danger to meet servicemembers religious needs.
He understands those demands firsthand. He was an enlisted supply specialist for more than three years before he felt his calling to become a priest. While going to seminary, he also served as an aerial port specialist in the Reserves. In all, he served seven years and made the rank of staff sergeant.
A 1996 graduate of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary, he left the military completely and settled down in Northern Michigan to serve the community there. That was until 9/11 struck the core of America.
I got a letter from the chaplains recruiting service and e-mailed the contact to say I was thinking about it, said Chaplain Zielinski. He called ten minutes later and said we need you tomorrow.
Chaplain Zielinski came back in with the idea of doing only three years, but hasnt looked back since.
I enjoy living and working in an interfaith environment with military personnel and chaplains of different backgrounds and various faith groups, he said. By serving others, I serve God and my country.
He says the military is rich with the opportunity to expand spiritually.
As a chaplain, I am considered a non-combatant said Chaplain Zielinski. Its my mission to promote peace and goodness in the world by telling the story of God.
As a military chaplain, he says its not his place to push any one religion on servicemembers, but to encourage members to find their spiritual center to better help them deal with the rigors of military service.
Another one of the chaplains roles is to help create an environment of mutual respect for religions, and, in doing so, both the Air Force and Army chapels provide service opportunities for Protestants, Catholics, Jews and Muslims.
The role of the military chaplain is to provide an opportunity for servicemembers to exercise their First Amendment right for free exercise of religion, said Chaplain Zielinski.
For many, its a much-appreciated service some feel ultimately helps them perform as better Soldiers or Airmen.
In Iraq, you have people going on convoys and getting blown up, said Specialist Boomsaad. I look forward to church every week. I think anything that boosts the morale of the Soldier makes the Soldier better.
Chaplain Zielinskis mission isnt always easy. Mostly because his job isnt as simple as providing a few words to those gathered in front of the pulpit on Sundays.
He once had to tell a young man that his wife and three children were killed in a car accident. He said the Airman crumpled to the floor at his feet and cried like a child.
For the man, who came back into the military to help fill a void created by those who kill without remorse, he said one of the hardest aspects of his job is finding a way to pay homage to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice - knowing they are someones child, husband, mother, brother or friend.
Its a selfless act for their country, he said. The presence of the chaplaincy adds solemn respect for the servicemember who has given her or his life for their country.
Its a challenge hes made his mission in life.