MDDF Chaplain Awarded the Order of Chaplain O’Grady Award

[vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1500579604794{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1500579672812{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”]

^{By Spc. Aimee Fujikawa, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment}

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]A Maryland Defense Force chaplain was presented with The Order of Chaplain (Capt.) Eugene P. O’Grady Award during a ceremony at the Chaplain Eugene P. O’Grady Chapel on Camp Fretterd Military Reservation near Reisterstown, Md., Feb. 29.

MDDF Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Anthony Hollis is the first recipient of this annual award, which hangs in the chapel.

Maryland Army National Guard Chaplain (Col.) William S. Lee and senior chaplains from the MDDF and Air Guard came up with the award idea. The award is named in honor of Chaplain Eugene Patrick O’Grady, a Baltimore native, and the only National Guard chaplain who died while serving in World War II.

“The Order of the Chaplain O’Grady Award recognizes exceptional commitment to the spiritual and religious welfare of Soldiers, Airmen, and their Families,” said Lee. “Most of the branches have some way to recognize people and we felt like that would be the thing to do for us, as chaplains in the Maryland Military Department.”

Hollis was chosen for his service extending over 44 years. His service with the Army started in 1968, when was deployed to Vietnam where he provided chaplain support to 78 units fighting in Vietnam and assisted in helping orphaned children escape from Burma. Following his tour, he was stationed at Ft. Bliss Texas, where he counseled Soldiers and their Families with issues of child abuse, neglect, and addictions. Today, he is the coordinator of the MDDF’s participation, and is the admissions counselor for the state funded Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Program, which sponsors at-risk adolescents.

“He’s spent almost a lifetime in support of Soldiers, military members, and their Families, from his service as a Chaplain in Vietnam to the present, he continues to serve and support,” said Lee.

To become a recipient, an individual must first be nominated, and then the chaplain committee decides

“In WWII, the Chief of Staff, General George G. Marshall, said that it’s the Soldiers’ spirit that sustains them in battle, and this award affirms that it’s the spiritual and religious support of the Soldier and Family that continues to sustain them throughout the deployment cycle,” Lee added.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]