Chaplains Recognized for Excellence

Story by Debra Anderson

The United States Navy Chaplain Corps encompasses commissioned naval officers who serve as military chaplains within the Navy and the United States Marine Corps. Their primary objective is to foster the spiritual, religious, moral, and personal welfare of Department of the Navy personnel.

Michael Monroig and Ruth Rivera Turnewitsch (pictured), both chaplains and lieutenant commanders who attend the Virginia Beach (Va.) church, have been recognized for their excellence in service.

Monroig, a member of the Potomac Conference Executive Committee, was recently appointed as the new associate director for the Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries at the North American Division (NAD), overseeing Armed Forces, Law Enforcement, Corrections and Community Chaplaincy. The latest assignment comes following Monroig’s retirement after 34 years as an active-duty service member. During his naval career, Monroig ministered to soldiers and sailors stateside, aboard warships and on numerous overseas assignments.

Turnewitsch is currently serving on the USS Cole, which is homeported in Norfolk, Va. She was recently awarded the newly introduced Surface Chaplain Officer warfare pin. The pin recognizes the mission effectiveness and spiritual readiness of Navy chaplains who serve onboard destroyers and other waterfront platforms, providing counseling and advice to junior and senior officers. Turnewitsch is the first Seventh-day Adventist chaplain to receive this significant award.

Charles A. Tapp, president of the Potomac Conference, says, “Chaplains Monroig and Turnewitsch exemplify what it means to go ‘beyond the walls’ of traditional ministry. The spiritual support they provide to service members wherever duty calls is critical to fostering hope amid the challenges of military life, and we salute them for their service.”