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Chaplain: Respect for veterans runs deep
Published 12:02 p.m., November 10, 2009
By Tom Hintgen
Daily Journal
Most Americans have a sincere respect for veterans who served their country during both war and peace. Seeing this every day is Greg Hayek, chaplain at the Minnesota Veterans Home, Fergus Falls.
With Veterans Day commemorated on Wednesday, Hayek said his wish, and the wishes of many veterans, is that respect also carry over into the American culture in general.
“Many veterans, including those at the Vets Home here in Fergus Falls, fought for the American way of life,” said Hayek. “Today, respect for one another is too often lacking in our everyday lives. Former President George H.W. Bush, himself a World War II veteran, takes this a step further and decries the lack of civility in the political discourse.”
The senior Bush, said Hayek, is among many World War II veterans who see the country too often divided, at the expense of what’s good for America in general.
“This is something to think about, as we honor all veterans on Veterans Day,” said Hayek.
This past May Hayek competed his tenth year as Chaplain at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. His job is 6/10 time and he’s also a part-time guidance director at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls.
He was born and raised in Albert Lea. His father served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, in the Pacific Theater. His wife, Rita, is a teacher in the Pelican Rapids school system. Their daughter, Anna, and family live in Apple Valley and son Seth is a resident of Milwaukee.
Hayek, previous to attending Lutheran Brethren Seminary, was administrator of the Good Samaritan Center in Pelican Rapids. Before that he was a magazine editor for Trades Publishing Company in Albert Lea and also served as an elementary teacher.
“Every day, when I walk through the halls of the veterans home here in Fergus Falls, I think about the sacrifice these residents made for their country,” he said. “Yes, respect runs deep here.”
Hayek has certification with the Association of Professional Chaplains.
“I love being the chaplain at the vets home in Fergus Falls and have become friends of many of the Greatest Generation, and those veterans from other eras,” he said. “It’s an honor to serve these veterans who’ve given so much for their country. I pray that I’ll never take this for granted.”
Hayek spoke Sunday evening during the “Tribute to Our Veterans” held at Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls. During his address he also talked about respect.
“Respect for those who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world has also helped heal the wounds over the Vietnam War, and those who served during that conflict,” said Hayek.
He said that most veterans, those at the Vets Home in Fergus Falls notwithstanding, are humble about their service. For the most part, he said those vets have shielded their families and friends about some of the gruesome aspects of war.
“They talk mostly about where they served, and not the details about what went on during times of war,” he said. “That being said, they’ve paid dearly for the sacrifices they have made to their country, and for that we owe them a deep degree of gratitude.”
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