News / People
MOPH is Proud to Announce Richard Jenkins, Sr. of MN, as National Chaplain
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is proud to announce the appointment of Richard Jenkins, Sr. of Minnesota as its new National Chaplain. This appointment was made during the recent annual convention for the Military Order of the Purple Heart in Rogers, Arkansas.
Unlike his National Chaplain predecessors who had all served as active duty military chaplains, Richard was drafted into the US Army in 1964 and was soon serving as an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in Phouc Vinh, Vietnam. With only seven months remaining before his discharge, Richard witnessed the death of twenty nine of his friends and fellow soldiers. For Richard, this was a traumatic event and a turning point in his life. To help cope with the emotional pain, he sought the counsel of a chaplain without success, for none was assigned to his unit. For the next few months, he lived day-to-day with a constant fear of imminent death and had no one with whom he could share his thoughts and prayers. Then, while on a “Search and Destroy” mission, Richard was given the mission of clearing a tunnel that had been booby trapped by the Viet Cong, resulting in the detonation of a claymore mine that seriously injured his leg. For his wounds, Richard was awarded the Purple Heart medal.
For the next nine years, Richard suffered from the anger and rage of his memories until he finally decided to turn his life over to the service of God. Richard was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1982 and with the support of a loving wife, Richard took up the ministry of his fellow man and has never looked back. For the next thirty four years, Richard served as a volunteer Chaplain in a maximum security prison in Minnesota. In that role, he was able to counsel hundreds of Vietnam veterans who were able to benefit from his personal experiences and compassionate ministry. At the same time, he has served as a chemical dependency counselor to many doctors, lawyers, and other professionals at one of St. Paul’s major hospitals.
After forty-five years of marriage, Richard and his wife Cecelia now reside in St. Paul, Minnesota and have been blessed with five children and nine grandchildren. The Jenkins’ continue to dedicate themselves to the service of those veterans who might feel that their lives are without worth. Richard feels himself to be a walking miracle and serves as an example to all that we are indeed our brother’s keeper.
Richard has been a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart since 2000, and has served in a number of leadership positions in Minnesota. He now feels proud and honored to be able to serve as the National Chaplain to all 45,000 of its members, each of whom has been wounded in combat and has suffered the trauma of war.
The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS program, MOPH volunteers provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA sites and State Veterans Homes.
For information contact:
National Public Relations Director, John Bircher, 352-753-5535
