Chapel presents a ‘third place’

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Grand Forks Air Force Base chaplains introduced a new 'third place' for Airmen to go during a grand opening ceremony held Nov. 3 at the Prairie Rose Chapel here.

Before slicing the ribbon, Ch. (Capt.) Roland Reitz declared the new Airmen's Ministry Center was intended to provide another option for Airmen other than home and work. The center is designed for Airmen to feel at home, visit with one another, and if they so desire, even visit with the chaplain staff, he said.

"We've done a lot of things to continue to equip our Airmen for what the Air Force calls spiritual fitness," said Col. John Michel, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander. "Just like the 135,000 square foot fitness center that takes care of their physical body, I think that we all recognize that the other important part of Warriors who have a lot required of them is that they're spiritually fit."

The colonel added that the newly initiated honorary pastor program is one means of providing that spiritual fitness by bringing a whole new set of teammates to the frontlines so that Airmen or anybody else has another resource available.

"This center is something being done in every wing in the Air Force," he stated. "I think it reinforces that the AF puts a premium on spiritual fitness."

Chaplain Reitz added that the center would not be possible without wing leadership's backing.
"Their tireless support allowed us to offer one more avenue to provide comprehensive Warrior care to all of our Airmen," he said.

In addition to a third place to go, the center may also become the optimum location for group gatherings.

"Next week, it will be the place for Monday night football on base," he told the crowd of Airmen and civilians, followed by applause and laughter. In addition to football, the chapel staff is hosting a spaghetti dinner for the attendees.

The chapel staff invites all Airmen to their third place to go in hopes of creating an atmosphere of fun. Whether to play the gaming system or watch a movie, the Airmen's Ministry Center isn't about religion, it's about giving another avenue to the Warriors of the North.