Walter Reed Medical Center distributes one thousand copies of historic devotional book

(Washington, D.C.) -- Wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan and veterans of earlier wars are being given copies of Strength for Service to God and Country, an updated book of daily devotions first sent to members of the armed forces in World War II.

The books have been donated by men and women across the United States in an effort led by the General Commission on United Methodist Men. They are being distributed by Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.

About 200 soldiers and veterans are hospitalized daily at the medical complex. In addition, some 700 come in for daily treatment and 3,500 come in for occasional clinical visits.

“Soldiers like the format, says Major John L. Kallerson, senior chaplain of the medical complex, “and they like the way in which it ties them to past generations.”

Kallerson, who supervises a team of 20 full-time chaplains and two part-time, says patients and staff find the book “just as uplifting today as it must have been for men and women in World War II and the Korean War. “We appreciate the support,” he says. “The books continue to touch more souls every day.”

The chaplain also says everyone who receives a copy is excited about the fact that the publishing effort was begun by a Boy Scout who wanted to honor his grandfather, a World War II veteran who read from the book daily until his death a few years ago.

To date, 120,000 copies of the book have been sent to deployed troops, troops training for deployment and hospitalized troops and veterans.