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Chaplain’s forced exit on deck while NDAA getting hashed out

J.M. Phelps/American Family News

Dec 14, 2022

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Chaplain's forced exit on deck while NDAA getting hashed out

An Army chaplain awaits word on his forced separation from the military, pending the Senate’s decision on the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which could bring the military vaccine mandate to an end.

For Army Chaplain Brad Lewis, the last 15 months have seemed like a decade. Within days of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate in August 2021, Colonel Lewis – who became a chaplain due to religious conviction – requested a religious accommodation to the mandate. His request was denied in February 2022, and within two days he submitted an appeal to the Assistant Secretary of the Army. Eight weeks ago, that, too, was denied.

When he received the denial of his appeal, he was given two options: either voluntarily submit for retirement, or voluntarily get vaccinated. He tells American Family News that he didn’t feel he could, in good conscience, step away from “a fight just to save my own skin.” To him, both options were unacceptable, explaining he felt it was “immoral” being forced to choose between his faith and his career.

“I would love to have a retirement after the better part of three decades, but if it means the next generation of chaplains and soldiers are able to get a retirement at the expense of mine, then I’m willing to do that,” Lewis asserts. “[So] rather than assist in the death of a retirement it took nearly 27 years to earn, I left the ball in the Department of Defense’s court to separate me.”

Once his appeal was denied, Lewis says, he was immediately labeled a “vaccine refuser.” According to Army Directive 2022-02, issued by the Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth in January 2022, an officer who refuses to be vaccinated will be involuntarily separated for “misconduct, moral or professional dereliction.” And those who are involuntarily separated for this reason are “normally” separated under other-than-honorable conditions according to Army Regulation 600-8-24.

According to Lewis, that characterization of service “carries with it some pretty significant curtailments of veterans benefits.”

“Without saying it, they were threatening my retirement,” he contends. “It’s not just my retirement they were threatening, but the retirement of every other soldier in the Army.”

And that, coupled with his religious convictions, compelled him to take the stance he did.

For standing firm, there’s cost … or there’s reward

As part of the separation process, on Monday Chaplain Lewis was to be given a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (commonly known as a GOMOR) as a result of his objection to the COVID-19 vaccine and the denial of his accommodation request.

But in the eleventh hour, he was told by his command that the GOMOR would be put on hold until the Senate decides how it will respond to the U.S. House’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is expected to repeal the military vaccine mandate.

“If someone doesn’t stand up and say You can’t do this, then it’s just going to continue,” Lewis contends. “The scope of religious accommodation denials indicates a pretty severe anti-religious bias in the DOD,” he says. “And as a chaplain, I had to stand up and say we were not going to play that game.”

The chaplain argues that the job of the DOD is not to determine whether an individual’s beliefs are valid, but whether they are sincere; and if sincere, the government should accommodate those beliefs, according to the U.S. Constitution, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), NDAA, Army doctrine, and more.

Regardless of the outcome, one thing remains true through it all, according to Lewis: “God is bigger than the Army and is always good.”

Accessed/copies Dec 16, 22 from: https://afn.net/medical-health/2022/12/14/chaplain-s-forced-exit-on-deck-while-ndaa-getting-hashed-out/

Darlene, Family News, Obituary, Personal Reflections, Uncategorized

We Love You Grandma Bettye

OBITUARY

Bettye Sue Ellis Lord, age 86, of Springfield, MO passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022, in her home, after a prolonged illness. Born in Springfield, TN on August 4, 1935, to Hershel Reeves Ellis and Alma Modene (Nichols) Ellis, Bettye lived in Tennessee until she flew to Germany to marry a soldier she met in church in Clarksville. Billy Riece Lord and Bettye married on January 4, 1957, in Augsburg, Germany. Together they had three children: Patrick, born in Augsburg, Germany, Darlene, born in Nashville, Tennessee, and William, born in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Bettye lived a life of service as a military spouse and Chaplain’s wife. She unabashedly shared her intellect, skills, talents, passions, and faith to improve the circumstances and support all people in her circle, and she had a wide circle, indeed. She was dedicated to her family, raising her children often “geographically single,” as Bill’s military career led him to three tours in Viet Nam. Bettye creatively nurtured her children to cultivate their own interests and talents, while instilling in them the importance of serving others. As a role model, she was unequaled in that regard. 

Bettye valued education, and while raising her family, earned a Bachelor’s and two Master’s degrees. She was a teacher, trainer, and counselor. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1984, Bill and Bettye created and managed a Leadership Training firm providing services to Fortune 500 companies in Europe. Retiring (again) to Springfield, MO in 2000, Bill and Bettye resided in the Elfindale community. 

Bettye was an artist of varied genres. She sketched, painted, and was superior at needle arts. She could (and often would) create costumes or formals or any kind of clothing from just a verbal description of what someone (usually Billy, but often, Darlene) said it could look like. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed experimenting with new cuisines from all over the world. Bettye was adventurous and willing to try new activities, such as river rafting, panning for gold, or skiing the Alps, which helped make the family’s frequent moves both educational and fun. 

Perhaps Bettye’s greatest talent was caring for others. Before her illness, Bettye worked diligently to meet the needs of the people around her. Whether it was providing a meal, cleaning a home, loaning a car, taking a walk, counseling, or assisting in navigating complex social systems, nothing was too small or large for her to do to help others. She educated, elevated, and empowered women and children to become strong and courageous. 

Bettye Lord, is survived by her three children, Patrick Lord of Springfield, MO, Darlene Weiss and husband Michael of Springfield, MO and William Lord of Zandvoort aan Zee, Netherlands; four grandchildren,  Susie Gray and husband Ike of Manitou Springs, CO, Evan Lord and wife Hanna of Springfield, MO, Michael J. Weiss and wife Elizabeth of Columbia, MO, Erica Ballard and husband Jimmy of Springfield, MO; and nine great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Hershel and Alma Ellis, of Springfield, TN, brother Bobby Ellis, of Paris, TN, her husband, Bill Lord, of Springfield, MO, and a nephew, Phil Ellis, of Los Angeles, CA. 

A Memorial Service was held Friday, May 27, 2022, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Burial followed at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Sutton In-Home Senior Care, and Haven Hospice.

Darlene, Family News, God Loves Us, Uncategorized

We Will See You Again!

It is with great joy, and a little sadness, I announce that Darlene’s Mother Bettye, affectionally know as Grandma Bettye, went to heaven Saturday afternoon, May 13, 2022. She is face to face with her heavenly Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Jesus promised he would never leave or forsake her, which he didn’t, and would come back for her to bring her to be with him forever, which he has.

She has also joined the cloud of witnesses that has gone before us. That include Bill, her parents, brother, many other family members, those she introduced Jesus to and those who helped her walk with Jesus here on earth.

I can only imagine this being the greatest family reunion she has ever attended.  

I could not have asked for a better Mother-In-Law. She loved me this I know for she demonstrated it so.

Her and Bill loved, cherished, and help raise their four Grandchildren into wonderful men and women who love God, their country and love their neighbors as God loves them. Their nine Great Grandchildren have a great future in part because of the wonderful legacy Mom and Dad have cultivated in their children: Pat, Darlene and Billy and their Grandchildren Susie, Michael, Evan, and Erica.

Mom each time I left you during the last couple months I told you with confidence “I will see you again.” The next time I see you it will be in Heaven! I am grateful to be your son, I love you and look forward to being with you again.

Family News, Recovery Updates

Move Complete

We have moved from NC to Springfield, Missouri and glad we did it. We are getting more and more settled as boxes get unpack and our things are put in their new places.

Our new address is: 4535 S. Crescent Ave, Springfield, MO 65804. We are using the same phone numbers.

Darlene is all smiles now that she is close to her Mom, Brother Pat, a Nephew, a Niece and their families.
Family News, Jehovah, Jesus, Messiah, Personal Reflections, Recovery Updates, The Daily Blessing, Yehovah

Darlene Update, Dec 6th

Today Darlene took three steps forward and three steps backward and Friday night we enjoyed pizza night together and Darlene sat on the edge of the bed the entire time!





Come, click on this link Joy to the World message by Pastor Steve Morgan, and enjoy an excellent Advent message by my Pastor Steve Morgan last Sunday. He uses Isaac Watts song, Joy To The World, and Psalm 98, the Psalm Isaac used to write this song, as he encouraged us to rejoice with heaven and earth because “The Lord is come.” Especially check out the worship band present their rendition of Joy to the Earth.

Steve’s message begins around the 55 minute point into the service if you want to start their. After he shares a little the worship band comes up and presents Joy to the World and then Steve continues he message.

Family News, God Loves Us, J3 Khai Restoration, J3Khai Ambassadors, Jehovah, Jesus, Messiah, Personal Reflections, The Daily Blessing, Yehovah

God is good is the good news

The Gospel is about how good God is, not how bad we are!!!

Jacob upon waking from a beautiful revelation of the LORD (Yehovah) himself talking to and confirming promises made to Abraham and Isaac, that now promise to him also, Jacob says, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it. (Gen 18:16)”

I am amazed and encouraged by this observation. Amazed at how wonderful God is and encouraged because he revealed to Jacob that in fact, he was in that place. I don’t know why the grandson of Abraham and son of Isaac does not know Yehovah was in that place, but I do see God making himself personally real to Jacob.

I wonder, is this experience like the one Peter had when Jesus told him, “Flesh and blood did not reveal that to you but my Father who is in heaven, (Mt 16:17)” after Peter proclaimed that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the Living God? (Mt 16:16)”

 I believe that God is building his Church “upon the rock” of God revealing himself to us. I also wonder if this interaction with Jacob was an “upon the rock” building moment?

Update on Darlene

Father is blessing and healing Darlene as he loves her and responds to your loving prayers for her. Her wound is healing, and she is getting stronger as does a little more physical exercise each day.

We know God can heal her completely right now and if he heals her over time his grace is always sufficient!!

We hope to be in Springfield together for Christmas!!!

Family News, Obituary

Chaplain (Colonel) Billy Lord

It is with sadness and joy I share that Darlene’s Father, Chaplain (Colonel) Billy R. Lord, died Friday, October 15th . We are sad that he is no longer with us but overjoyed that he is in heaven with Jesus, family members who proceeded him, his comrades in arms, and those whom he introduced to Jesus as a man of God, Minister, and Army Chaplain.


This moment, Dad baptizing a fellow Soldier in the la Drang River, South Vietnam in 1966, speaks volumes of Dad’s love for God and Soldiers. Imagine with me how this man’s life was transformed because Dad helped him publicly, all be it in a combat zone, proclaim his faith in Jesus.

Also, imagine the ripple effect of all the people this man also loved and shared how much God loved them. This man is one of the thousands Dad loved and helped to know “The Good Lord.”


“To some, I’m just another jumpmaster…and that’s fine. I’m happy to serve them. But to others, I’m also their priest, their “Padre,” who leads them from earth to heaven and back down to earth again in more ways than one.” Chaplain Peter Pomposello

I will not attempt to share the thoughts and feelings of Bettye, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family members, comrades in arms, and friends, but I am honored and blessed for him to call me Son and he is Dad to me.

We love you Dad and salute you, Colonel, you did good!!!


Rev. Michael J. Weiss, Sr.
Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Retired


Services for Dad: Memorial Service
Thursday, October 21 st , 12:30 pm (1230 hours)
Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield, Missouri

Obituary – Colonel Billy Lord
Military Honors at Graveside
Thursday, October 21st, 2 pm (1400 hours)
Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri