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Chaplain's Contributions Honored

Project Gratitude is a thank-you for his sacrifices and service to troops.

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By Joyce McKenzie of The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2008

Temple Terrace - Temple Terrace - It is the level of concern and compassion of chaplains that often accounts for success or failure in the lives of their troops.

Such was the sentiment of Army Maj. Gen. Michael Diamond of U.S. Central Command, one among several members of the military and guests on hand Monday at the Residence Inn in Temple Terrace to honor Army Capt. Mike Shellman, a chaplain with the 3rd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.

On leave from his sixth overseas deployment in his eight years of service, Shellman was in town to accept a Project Gratitude tribute, a recognition given to active-duty military chaplains as a thank-you for their sacrifices and service to troops fighting on foreign soil.

In addition to rounds of applause, the chaplain received accolades about his commendable service in letters from Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez and a proclamation from Temple Terrace Mayor Joe Affronti.

In addition, he was presented with gift certificates to Busch Gardens, the Museum of Science & Industry and restaurants, including Lupton's Buffet and Catering and Antonio's Pasta Grille. Marriott TownePlace Suites Tampa donated a three-day lodging package.

"I think God orchestrated this, and I'll never forget it," Shellman said. "This is very special."

The program was spearheaded by David Lefavor, an October 2007 recipient of the Florida governor's Points of Light award for outstanding volunteerism. Prior to his move to Dayton, Ohio, late last year, Lefavor ministered to spinal cord injury victims and their families at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa and orchestrated several programs to support wounded veterans.

Since Lefavor's departure, Affronti has taken over as Project Gratitude's coordinator.

"I just think it's wonderful we have the opportunity to show our appreciation to the people who do so much for our young men and women serving our country," Affronti said.

Shellman — who has earned five Bronze Star Medals, two Army Commendation Medals and a Combat Action Badge — served two combat tours with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky., three combat tours with the 3rd Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, N.C., and a combat tour with the 75th Ranger Regiment from Fort Benning, Ga.

"A Bronze Star can only be given out at time of combat, and they are only given out for exemplary service. He has five Bronze Stars, so that tells each of us the type of person he is," Diamond said. "As a chaplain, you can't have a bad day, and whereas soldiers have 8- to 12-hour days, a chaplain doesn't have downtime. He can get a knock on his door at any hour of the day."

Diamond went on to classify Shellman and his fellow chaplains on active duty as a "special breed."

"There are a lot of problems they deal with: depression, loss of a buddy and family issues," he said. "They are a real blessing for our soldiers. What they do is very important."

Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Curt Brownhill, who served as the event's master of ceremonies, agreed.

"It's a great privilege for me to recognize one of our nation's most important people — a military chaplain. His sacrifice and commitment is huge, and it's huge for their families, too," said Brownhill, as he also acknowledged Shellman's wife, Cheryl, and Brittany, 21, the oldest of the couple's three daughters.

"It's my wife who is the hero, the person who deserves the most credit. She's had to prep our house, sell the house and buy a house," said Shellman, who while serving as a senior pastor at a church in Oak Ridge, Tenn., received a calling to serve his country. He reported for duty Sept. 11, 2000Ö .

Cheryl, the daughter of a preacher, said that because she and her husband view his calling as a ministry, she has taken most of life's adjustments in stride.

"As women, we like to nest, but I have adjusted to the moves because each time it gets better and better," she said. "God has been on our side all the way."

Brittany, on the other hand, admitted that although she is proud of her dad, not having him around very often during her teenage years was at times hard. But, her main concern has always been for his safety.

"You kind of get used to it, and you pray God will take care of him," said Brittany, a junior at Clearwater Christian College, where she is studying to be a teacher, the same profession her mother has chosen as her life's work.

Since Shellman — who holds a master's degree in divinity — changed his career path, he has gone through pilot school and undergone a rigorous three-week Ranger Regiment training program, during which he lost close to 30 pounds.

"For me, that personal initiative to go through all the training the soldiers did has earned me credibility," said Shellman, who noted he and his troops went for 30 days without a shower during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. On the flip side, he said the rewards have been enumerable.

"Just knowing I've saved that one individual soldier through marriage counseling or whatever the issue is, is satisfaction enough for me," Shellman said. "A lot of soldiers have that spiritual side but don't often display it, but this past deployment I led 10 soldiers to the Lord."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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