After some two decades in uniform, U.S. Army Chaplain Keith Shurtleff plans to retire in the next year or so.

There's much this lifelong church member will miss when he leaves the military. As a patriot and soldier, Shurtleff will remember his daily service to his country. As a chaplain, he will miss the "one-on-one" interactions with soldiers and their families seeking spiritual support, perhaps a prayer, a listening ear or a trusted confidant.

One of 65 church members serving as an American military chaplain, Shurtleff enjoys the sacred duty of shepherding soldiers from a wide variety of religious backgrounds. His job has taken him to military posts throughout the world and a combat zone in Afghanistan. His own gospel testimony has grown while teaching sermons from the scriptures and worshiping with fellow soldiers eager for blessings.



"As a chaplain, my main mission is to provide religious support to military personnel of all faiths," said Shurtleff. Counted among such personnel may be Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Latter-day Saints and Protestants -- along with men and women who claim no faith.

It's a chaplain's duty, he explained, to preserve the personal religious freedoms of all he serves.

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This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News.