- Well, living through thepandemic has taken a toll

on people from all walksof life, understandably,

including our service men and women,

and as the stress andpressure becomes too daunting,

military chaplains do all they can

to help diminish the impact.

National securitycorrespondent Eric Philips

spoke with the Chief ofthe US Army Chaplains.

Now Eric, his role is tohelp strengthen the soul.

- John, that's right, andMajor General Thomas Solhgem

tells me that spiritualfitness is a major pillar

of military readiness,

and he says these challenging times

has the 2,800 chaplains in hisdepartment working overtime.

(radio chatter)- When you put on the uniform,

in service to your country, Eric,

and you're asked topossibly lay down your life

in rendering service to your country,

we owe, we have a moralobligation to fulfill

to care for the soul of that soldier.

- [Eric] And MajorGeneral Solhgem tells me

that obligation to thesoldier is more important

than ever, right now.

- So you might have adeath of a family member,

for example, and youcan't go to the funeral,

or you have parents thatare aged and shut in,

and you can't get there.

We have seen, reporting forour chaplains out in the field

that there's been a real increase

in a number of differentareas for soldiers

and their families reaching out for them

for assistance, for spiritualdirection, guidance,

and for religious care,as well, for those things.

- [Eric] The same types ofsacrifice civilians face,

coupled with the addedresponsibility of service.

- So, as with any worship,

worship is centered aroundthe light of Christ,

and so we very muchintentionally are lighting

this light of Christ.

- [Eric] To meet the need,chaplains had increased

the hosting of live services.

- [Solhgem] It's really a new phenomenon

and I'm really pleasedto see how our people

have stepped up to embracethe virtual environment

in order to really continue to help people

to stay connected.

- And today's thought is onthe importance of small things.

- [Eric] It means chaplains of all faiths

across all military branchesnot just ministering to troops

and their families,but to all who tune in.

- So it's really taught us,I think, to raise the quality

of our speaking, of what we offer people

in a worship service or setting.

- [Eric] And they're getting creative,

like with the drive-in Easterservice at this installation

in Japan, or this Navy virtual service

in Pensacola, Florida.

- They've been even doingthings like Zoom potlucks.

So chapel groups or religious groups

doing virtual potlucks, justwanting to maintain fellowship

'cause that a very important connection.

So I see it in all of thestruggle that people are facing.

It's a tremendous opportunity

for people to be touched intheir lives, spiritually,

that, in many ways, life asnormal may not have produced.

- And Solhgem says anotherpositive coming out of this

challenging time is thatthose in his department

have really figuredout one another's faith

in a deeper way than they had before.

And he says no matter howmany chaplains he has,

there's always room.