National tradition continues with Feb. 2 prayer breakfast

  • Published
  • By Mary Lou Gorny
  • Hilltop Times editor
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  In keeping with the time-honored tradition of the National Prayer Breakfast, the Hill Air Force Base Chapel will be holding its event at The Landing (formerly known as Club Hill), Thursday, Feb 2, at 7:30 a.m. Gen. (Ret.) Robert C. Oaks, former commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Training Command, has been invited to address those present.

President Harry Truman signed a declaration for the National Day of Prayer in 1952, and the observance has continued, which calls for presidents to declare a day of prayer in behalf of the nation and its leadership.

"Prayer is a historic, significant part of our nation's history starting with the Continental Congress all the way through today," said Chaplain Mark Nevius.

The theme for this year's event is "Faith, freedom and prayer," said the chaplain, with an emphasis on prayer. "We want to maintain the health of our fighting force and the spiritual well-being of our families."

Chaplain Assistant Staff Sgt. Anthony Gray added, "Spiritual health and well-being is just as important as physical wellness."

Oaks recently addressed the Civil Air Patrol during the 70th anniversary of its founding at the Mazer Historic Chapel in December.

His first assignment as a pilot of F-100 Super Sabres was with the 524th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. He flew 188 combat missions in F-100s in Southeast Asia, serving at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam in November 1965.

The general is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, including more than 300 combat hours, holding many distinguished awards given by the U.S. Air Force as well as a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. Following his retirement, Oaks was employed at US Airways as senior vice president. In 2000, he resigned from this position when he was called to serve as a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. In 2004, he was called to be one of the seven presidents of the Seventy.

Tickets are available at the Hill Chapel beginning Jan. 13 through Jan. 31. First sergeants will also have the $5 tickets available through Jan. 27. It is recommended that an RSVP be given the chapel by Jan. 30 by contacting Anthony.Gray@hill.af.mil or by calling the Base Chapel at 801-777 - 2106.

Said the chaplain's assistant smiling, "This is a great deal since the meal typically costs $5 here; it's $650 for the national observance in Washington, D.C."

The breakfast menu will include a selection of chilled juices, sweet pastries, home fried potatoes, fresh fruit platter and the following burritos: ham, cheese and egg; bacon, cheese and egg and vegetable, cheese and egg. Coffee and tea will also be available.