In August 1964, I went into basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. Being 23 years old, I was considered an old man in my barracks and some sought my advice. One day a distraught young man came to me and said his girlfriend was pregnant, that he had to get home and marry her before the baby was born, so he was going AWOL. I explained that nothing but bad would happen if he did.

My father—a veteran—told me about the power and influence a chaplain has, no matter what rank they are.

I advised this young man to ask to see a chaplain, and he did. They had him home, married and back so fast that he was able to complete basic on time with the rest of us. He was one happy fellow and to this day it still warms my heart to think of how well that turned out.