Transit Center chaplain blesses K-9 defenders

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Chaplains (Capts.) Anthony Giamello and Donn Hiear make the sign of the cross as Giamello prepares to say a prayer at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Oct. 3. The chaplains visited the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron kennel to bless the military working dogs for St. Francis’ Feast Day. Giamello is deployed here from the Delaware Air National Guard. Hiear is deployed here from the Wisconsin Air National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)

Published Nov. 22, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

10/3/2011 - TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- --
In celebration of St. Francis' Feast Day chaplains from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing visited the military working dog kennel to bless the installation's K-9 defenders.

St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and ecology. It is customary for Catholics to hold ceremonies blessing animals on this day.

Chaplain (Capt.) Anthony Giamello, 376th AEW Catholic chaplain, prayed for the MDWs prior to blessing them with holy water.

"Grant to our special K-9 companions and their handlers long and healthy lives," said Giamello, deployed here from the Delaware Air National Guard. "Through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, may you bless these K-9s and their handlers, keep them safe in their duties so that they may come to the eternal rewards that you have prepared for them."