Decades can pass after a military action, but many veterans still carry wounds from their service — some that can be seen and some that are not visible to others.
The Archdiocese of Denver seeks to embrace veterans and active-duty military who have suffered from war trauma with a tribute “In God We Trust” memorial event and Mass Saturday, Sept. 16, that is meant to invite them back to their faith.
This special event for military members and their families is designed to start a path to healing and reconnection with the Church through confession and counseling services provided on-site.
The Office of the Diaconate, which is supported through the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal, launched this annual outdoor Mass in 2019 to help military who have lost hope and stepped away from their faith because of war trauma.
“You made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our great country, but never forget that Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice on your behalf, a sacrifice he endured by pouring out his love for you,” said Father Daniel Mode, chaplain of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Discover the healing only Christ can give, said Mode, who will be the featured guest speaker at the Mass that begins at 11 a.m. at the Colorado Freedom Memorial in Aurora. The memorial includes a wall with the names of 6,200 Coloradans killed in action since Colorado became a state in 1876.
Vietnam Veteran Tom McAndrews attended the annual event last year and shared that he still carries wounds of war.
“I support all of our veterans,” McAndrews said. “When I came back, I didn’t get spit on like some, but I didn’t get the attention or understanding. I did what I thought was right. All my injuries are where you can’t see.”
McAndrews — who battle diabetes, thyroid disease, neuropathy, and other ailments from his Agent Orange exposure — learned about the memorial Mass through his veteran group at Our Lady of Loreto parish and the founders of the memorial wall, Rick and Diane Crandall.
Rick Crandall was inspired to create the Colorado Freedom Memorial after visiting the World War II battlefield in Normandy. Crandall turned to military veteran Deacon Joe Donohoe to find a way the Catholic Church could help veterans who came home but are still suffering from war trauma and have stepped away from their faith.
“We want to take a hand and walk with them and let them know they are not only needed, but wanted and loved by the Lord,” Donohoe said. “For the names on the wall, the battle took their lives so we could be free and worship God freely, but some are still fighting a battle.”
The Church provides confession and counseling services on-site before Mass in a beautiful natural setting meant to embrace veterans.
“We wanted to build a ministry that helps vets,” Donohoe said. “We want to let them know that no sin, no life event, in the eyes of God, cannot be forgiven.”
Participants at the Mass are given a “challenge coin.” Named for challenge coins that are part of the military tradition, these “In God We Trust” challenge coins are meant to be given away to someone who seems to be struggling. Recipients are encouraged to take the coin to their nearest parish priest who has been prepared to provide faith support and counsel.
“These soldiers did what they were asked, but in some cases, they were asked to do things that they had been told their whole life NOT to do,” Crandall said. “In most cases they were 18 or 19 years old, and they are still afraid God won’t forgive them. We hope this Mass can be the first step back into the Church.”
Families and friends of all faiths are welcome to start their road to healing. Some chairs provided. Please bring extra chairs or blankets as desired. For more information, visit archden.org/veterans. To support ministries like this, and more than 40 others, visit archden.org/GiveToday.
“In God We Trust” outdoor Mass Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, 11 a.m.; confessions and counseling at 10:30 a.m. Colorado Freedom Memorial, 765 Telluride St., Aurora Mass celebrant Bishop Jorge Rodriguez; guest speaker Father Daniel mode, U.S. Coast Guard chaplain