What is a Chaplain?

Chaplains are our nation's comrade veterans who minister
to our nation's sons and daughters, and their families. Like
any chaplain or minister, they must provide a dynamic and
genuine ministry with a shepherd's heart.  Whether leading
worship, visiting a hospital, conducting a final farewell to
our comrades, or even answering a phone call just to talk, 
Chaplains are always at the frontline of our veterans' lives.

Chaplains serve both God and country by bringing their
unique gifts with which they are endowed by God, to the
veterans of our nation in the broad, challenging, diverse,
and ever changing environment.

Courtesy of Reverend Tom Darling
(Past VFW National Chaplain)

Contact the VFW National Chaplain

Chaplain Peter Hook
PeterHook@verizon.net

Chaplain's Corner

The Chaplain's Corner is a monthly message
from the VFW National Chaplain.

 

Chaplain Articles 

by Reverend Peter R. Hook,
National Chaplain

Chaplain - Be a Mentor 

Clergy vs: Chaplain...Is there a difference?

Credibility of Chaplains and Leadership 

Dealing with Suicide as a Chaplain 

Do you know your Chaplain? 

Exercising Wisdom When Helping People in Need

Keeping Our Word

Organizational Structure of the VFW Chaplaincy 

Our National Motto: IN GOD WE TRUST

Public occasions put the Chaplain on center stage 

Speaking in Public 

The Weight of Personal Loss

The work of a Chaplain 

When a crisis happens remember A-B-C 

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by Chaplain Dale A. Iannello, B.Th., M.B.S.

Chaplains and Mandatory Reporting

Have you checked on your Chaplain lately?

The Heart and Soul of Service: Understanding
the Role of VFW Chaplains

 

Chaplain Duties

1.  In a non-sectarian manner, you should be prepared to listen
to your fellow comrades/sisters and provide aid and spiritual
comfort in times of stress, sickness, or bereavement.

2. Work with your Service Officer to aid members and their
families in time of need.

3. Your Post Commander or Officers may come to you in
confidence. Remember the privileged communication you are
having is for your ears only. Uphold the high ideals of the
organization in any advice you offer. Remember it is a
privilege – respect it.

4. You should be prepared to offer the ritual prayers at each
meeting of the Post. You will also be called upon to offer
appropriate prayers at the initiation of new members;
installation of officers; the dedication of a building,
monument or colors; or at the memorial service of a comrade.
Note: All such services are commemorated by use of the
VFW or Ladies Auxiliary ritual.

5. Being a member of the Post’s Memorial Team will provide
an opportunity for contact with the grieving family and thus
provides a caring ministry to them. The Memorial Team is
an important part of the honors offered to a veteran.

6. Use the persuasion of your office to promote harmony and
unity in the Post/District/State. 

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• A person of moral and intellectual qualities
• A member of the Executive Committee
• Your Post’s official representative at Religious and
  Civic affairs in the great community
• A pastoral caregiver
• Conduct and/or participate in Memorial, and Funeral
  Services when called upon
• Send cards to sick and bereaved
• Visit sick, bereaved and hospitalized
• Participation in Parades, 9/11 Memorial Services,
  Veterans Day Programs/Services, and POW/MIA
  Services
• Presenting Memorial Bibles to deceased members’
  Family
• Generate respect for the office of Chaplain

 

Chaplain Ethics 

VFW Chaplain Statement of Ethics
and Guiding Principles

1. Chaplains will demonstrate utmost personal and
professional integrity: truthfulness, honesty, and compassion
 to those who they minister to.

2. Chaplains will provide an objective, appropriate, holistic
support and a comforting presence.

3. Chaplains will not proselytize. Those who are cared for
will be provided freedom from unwanted gifts of religious
literature or symbols, evangelistic and sermonizing speech,
or forced acceptance of specific moral values and traditions.

4. Chaplains will demonstrate sensitivity to all faith traditions
and provide appropriate and sensitive spiritual care to all
persons in need, irrespective of their religious or
nonreligious identity.

5. Chaplains will not discriminate, with regards to their care,
based on sex, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation,
disabilities, socioeconomic status, or any other factors that
would hamper a person’s ability to receive spiritual care.

6. Chaplains will, whenever possible, attempt to locate a
spiritual leader within the faith tradition of an affected
person, if needed.

7. Out of respect for those who are served, Chaplains will
maintain confidentiality.

8. Chaplains recognize their personal and professional limits,
know their boundaries and make referrals to professionals
with appropriate expertise.

9. Chaplains will do no harm.

 

Chaplain Forms 

 VFW Chaplain Report Form

(Note: State Chaplains can request an Excel spreadsheet
for their state listing the data for those who have reported
online).

Chaplain of the Year Award requirements 

 

Chaplain Handbooks 

VFW Chaplain's Handbook updated August 14, 2024

2024 VFW Manual/Ritual

 

 

Chaplain Links

VETERAN RESOURCES

Defense Suicide Prevention Office The Defense Suicide
Prevention Office does not provide crisis services. If you or
someone you know is in crisis, contact the Veteran/Military
Crisis Line for immediate assistance.

Veterans Crisis Conversation Handout This handout gives
helpful information on helping a veteran in crisis.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

6 Ways to Begin a Conversation about Veteran Suicide

Warriors Journey  Warriors helping Warriors.  (There is
a Chaplain section).

VFW Chaplain Department Websites

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VFW California Chaplain's Page
(Chaplain Frank Correa, State Chaplain)

VFW Colorado Chaplain's Page
(Chaplain Kevin Reinhold, State Chaplain)

VFW Missouri Chaplain's Page 
(Chaplain Deborah Halter, Past VFW National Chaplain)

VFW Pennsylvania Chaplain's Page  
(Chaplain Peter Hook, Past VFW National Chaplain)

VFW Washington Chaplain's Page
(Chaplain Uschi Graeff)

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VFW Chaplain Occasion Cards

State Chaplain Get Well
State Chaplain Sympathy
State Chaplain Just a Note
State Chaplain Thinking of You

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District Chaplain Get Well
District Chaplain Sympathy
District Chaplain Just a Note
District Chaplain Thinking of You

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Post Chaplain Get Well
Post Chaplain Sympathy
Post Chaplain Just a Note
Post Chaplain Thinking of You

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Chaplaincy Training Resources

Christian Leaders Institute (CLI), Introduction
to Chaplaincy training 
https://christianleaders.org/course/view.php?id=607

CLI Informational PDF    CLI Informational slideshow

 

Chaplain Memorial 

VFW National Level Memorial

Memorial Service National Script (PDF)

VFW Conference Level Memorial

Eastern Conference Memorial Bulletin Cover
Eastern Conference Memorial Bulletin Inside

VFW Department Level Memorial

Department Memorial Bulletin
Department Memorial Script

VFW District Level Memorial

District Memorial Service Template (PDF)
District Memorial Service Template (Word)
District Memorial Service Index Cards

VFW Post Level Memorial

Post Memorial Service (PDF)

Funeral Services

Draping of the VFW Charter by Reverend Peter R. Hook,
Chaplain, Department of Pennsylvania
Funeral Planning for the Veteran
Memorial Service Template
Memorial Checklist and Planning Worksheet

 

Chaplain Prayers 

 VFW Chaplain Meeting Prayers  (VFW 2023 Ritual)

The-Public-Reading-of-Ritual-Prayers
by Reverend Peter R. Hook, Chaplain,
Department of Pennsylvania

Prayer for Support  by Reverend Peter R. Hook,
Chaplain, Department of Pennsylvania

PRAYERS ON THE GO

Whether a Chaplain is on the go ministering to Comrades
or their families, visiting a post, or is in need of meeting
prayers, these "prayers on the go" will be helpful.  

These prayers can be viewed on mobile devices:
vfw_prayers_mobile

 

Chaplain Training 

Zoom Training

IMPORTANT NOTE: All Zoom training links will be
shared via email.  When participants log into a Zoom
training session, the screen name must be formatted as: 
First and last name with the state.  For example:
Dale Iannello (WA).  This will help us know who is on,
enabling us to count attendance by state. 

Next training session: (Tentative) Thursday SEP 19th.

TIME ZONES:
5:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
6:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada) 
7:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada) 
8:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Scan the QR code below to sign up for VFW Chaplain
Zoom Training

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Past Training Sessions

JULY 2024 National Chaplain Workshop in Louisville,
KY.  Click HERE to view the slideshow.  (Presented by
Chaplain Frank Correa).

Click HERE to download the Chaplain resource page
handout.

Click HERE to download the Chaplain Zoom sign up
handout.

Click HERE to download the "In a Crisis Remember
A-B-C.  (Presented by Past National Chaplain
Deborah Halter).

MAY 2024 Dashbord Reporting (Presented by Chaplain
Frank Correa) Click HERE to view the training session.
(YouTube). 

Click HERE to download the PowerPoint presentation.

APR 2024 Memorial Services (Presented by Chaplain Peter
Hook) click HERE to download the PowerPoint presentation.

MAR 2024 Ethics (Presented by Chaplain Frank Correa)
and VFW Ritual (Presented by Chaplain Peter Hook).

click HERE to view the training session. (YouTube).

FEB 2024 Suicide Prevention Training II, click HERE!
(PDF) or HERE! (PowerPoint) host Chaplain Ron Ringo Jr.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) information, click HERE!
host Chaplain Ron Ringo Jr.

JAN 2024 Suicide Prevention Training, click HERE!
(YouTube) host Chaplain Ron Ringo Jr.

NOV 2023 VFW National Home introduction training
session, click HERE! (YouTube).

OCT 2023 Chaplain Workshop with host Past National
Chaplain Jim Jenkins, click HERE! (YouTube).

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Other Training Material

Funerals/Memorials

Presented by Chaplain Peter Hook

Funeral Planning for the Veteran (15 MAR 23)
Memorial Service Template (15 MAR 23)

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Hospital Visitation

Presented by Chaplain Frank Correa

Hospital, Nursing Home, Private Home, Hospice &
 Spiritual Care Workshop   (19 APR 23)
Hospital, Nursing Home, Private Home, Hospice &
 Spiritual Care Workshop Slideshow  (19 APR 23)

Based on the training material above test your knowledge
by taking the following test.  There is a test and an answer
sheet. 

Hospital Visitation Test
Hospital Visitation Answer Sheet

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Ethics

After reading the information under the "Ethics" tab, test
your knowledge by taking the following test.  There is the
test and an answer sheet. 

Ethics Test
Ethics Answer Sheet

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S.A.V.E.

A brief overview of the SAVE suicide prevention training
 program.  

 

Chaplain Events

Keep on checking back...