If you asked Maj. Michael DuCharme why he joined the Army, he will tell you that God called him. There were few people in his family who had served; he was nearing the age requirement where he would have been too old. And, in 2002, we were already in the war, so his wife and he knew it would mean deployment, according to DuCharme.
He deployed to Baghdad first in 2004 and then again in 2006 as a Regular Army officer. He continues to serve as an active Army Reservist.
As a chaplain in Iraq, he provided religious support and counseling services for a battalion of over 1,200 soldiers, mostly military police. These soldiers were spread out all over the city of Baghdad, with some of the units stationed much further away in the region. DuCharme had to travel to visit the soldiers in the places where they resided, which meant taking the same roads the soldiers took when they went out on patrols and missions.
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Chaplain DuCharme is a true Soldier, pastor, and hero. I was grateful to serve on the same FOB with him while deployed to Iraq during OIF 06-08. Mike truly exemplifies the values of a dedicated Christian, committed pastor, and high speed Soldier. He was an inspiration to me and to other chaplains during our deployment. I know that his Soldiers benefited greatly from his ministry–and that they still do. Because of his continued labors for God and country, America’s Soldiers are receiving the finest of pastoral care.
Amen to what CH Sparks wrote… I too served with both of them at FOB Rustamiyah. Rusty was a tough place then, and people like Chaplain DuCharme made a real difference in Soldiers lives.