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Marriage retreat helps military couples reconnect

Capt. Spencer Crandall, currently assigned to U.S. Air Forces Central, and his wife Kristen say their vows to each other again during a marriage retreat in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 23, 2012. During the three day retreat, the chaplain who led the event broke down the meaning of different lines of their vows and what those lines meant to each other. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers/Released)

Marriage Tuned Up at Shaw

HILTON HEAD, S.C. - Capt. Kathy Scott, a chaplain with the 20th Fighter Wing chaplain corps, conducts a lecture to airmen and their spouses during a marriage retreat at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Hilton Head, S.C. on March 31, 2012. More than 20 couples attended a three-day marriage care seminar sponsored by the chaplain corps of Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Participants ranged from one month of marriage to 24 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young/Released)

Marriage Tuned Up at Shaw

HILTON HEAD, S.C. - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Thomason, Jr., a logistics craftsman assigned to the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and his wife Marisol hold hands during a "Knee-to-Knee" exercise during a marriage retreat at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Hilton Head, S.C. on March 31, 2012. Thomason and his wife have been married for two years and thought this was a good chance to concentrate on each other away from the base. They joined19 other couples in attending a three-day marriage care seminar sponsored by the chaplain corps of Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young/Released)

Palmetto Chapel wins ACC award

The 20th Fighter Wing Palmetto Chapel staff gathers for a group photo, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Feb. 19, 2013. Some members are missing due to deployments or temporary duty. The Palmetto Chapel won the Charles I. Carpenter Award for 2012 at the Air Combat Command level. The award is given for outstanding wing mission impact, management, training, ministries and programs offered. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella/Released)

Palmetto Chapel achieves ACC level award

Published Feb. 26, 2013
By Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The Team Shaw Palmetto Chapel received the Charles I. Carpenter Award for 2012 at the Air Combat Command level for outstanding wing mission impact, management, training, ministries and programs offered.

The Shaw Chapel was one of six major command chapels that were selected for the ACC level award.

The Charles I. Carpenter Award honors the late Chaplain, Maj. General Charles I. Carpenter, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

"It's not just a uniformed staff, it's all the people who participate in our programs, (including) contractors, volunteers and civilian priests," explained Chaplain (Maj.) Matthew Boarts, 20th Fighter Wing chaplain. "It's a community recognition."

Part of what earned Palmetto Chapel the award were the numbers of attendees for the religious services and number of participants for programs and fundraisers held throughout 2012.

The chapel's most popular offerings among Team Shaw include worship services which about 400 people attend. Other popular programs and services include marriage retreats, single Airmen retreats and deployed family dinners.

The chapel has also been involved in Habitat for Humanity, for which they have raised about $44,000 and 7.5 tons of supplies. They had a total of 57 volunteers who helped build two homes for those in need, said Master Sgt. Nicholas Cataldi, 20th FW chapel superintendent.

"I've seen a lot of participation across the board, as well as Army participants, with a lot of our programs, charities, and services," Boarts said.

"No one's in it for themselves," said Chaplain (Capt.) Kathy Scott, 20th FW chaplain.

The people of Team Shaw who attend the retreats not only work on their own relationships, but also help other couples, Airmen and Soldiers. The Palmetto Chapel has improved about 130 marriages with these retreats, added Scott.

The focus of the single and marriage retreats is to help prepare Airmen, Soldiers and their families for deployments and taskings.

"The Chapel is not only a place to come to in a time of need, but also to build," said Boarts.

"I'd like Airmen and Soldiers to know we're here for support, not just spiritually," added Scott.

Winning at the ACC level, Palmetto Chapel will now go up to compete at the Air Force level.