SOUTHWEST ASIA - Chaplain (Col.) Dondi E. Costin speaks about service and resilience to members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing during the 2012 National Prayer Luncheon at the Phantom Center March 20, 2012. As the U.S. Air Forces Central chaplain, Costin provides functional oversight and pastoral care to Chaplain Corps personnel at 24 locations supporting 28,500 Airmen in Central and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Arian Nead)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA - Chaplain (Col.) Dondi E. Costin speaks about service and resilience to members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing during the 2012 National Prayer Luncheon at the Phantom Center March 20, 2012. As the U.S. Air Forces Central chaplain, Costin provides functional oversight and pastoral care to Chaplain Corps personnel at 24 locations supporting 28,500 Airmen in Central and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Arian Nead)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA - Tech. Sgt. Donna Southwood-Smith sings the national anthem at the 2012 National Prayer Luncheon at the Phantom Center March 20, 2012. Chaplain (Col.) Dondi E. Costin, U.S. Air Forces Central chaplain, was the guest speaker at the event. Southwood-Smith is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Arian Nead)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA - Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski gives a Buddhist reading at the 2012 National Prayer Luncheon at the Phantom Center March 20, 2012. Chaplain (Col.) Dondi E. Costin, U.S. Air Forces Central chaplain, was the guest speaker at the event. Buzanowski is assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing and is deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Arian Nead)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA - Senior Master Sgt. Joseph San Nicolas gives a Christian reading at the 2012 National Prayer Luncheon at the Phantom Center March 20, 2012. Chaplain (Col.) Dondi E. Costin, U.S. Air Forces Central chaplain, was the guest speaker at the event. San Nicolas is assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Arian Nead)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA - 1st Lt. Robert Jeppesen gives a Latter-day Saints reading at the 2012 National Prayer Luncheon at the Phantom Center March 20, 2012. Chaplain (Col.) Dondi E. Costin, U.S. Air Forces Central chaplain, was the guest speaker at the event. Jeppesen is assigned to 964th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron and is deployed from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Arian Nead)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA - The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing gospel choir sings at the 2012 National Prayer Luncheon at the Phantom Center March 20, 2012. Chaplain (Col.) Dondi E. Costin, U.S. Air Forces Central chaplain, was the guest speaker at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Arian Nead)

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AFCENT chaplain to 380th Airmen: Don't worry, be happy

Published March 21, 2012
By 1st Lt. Victoria B. Porto
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing gathered together March 20 to participate in the 2012 National Prayer Luncheon.

The event, hosted by the 380th AEW Chaplains office, brought together wing leadership, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians to discuss the importance of being resilient in the face of adversity, and building moral and spiritual values.

"It's important to have an event like this, especially in a deployed location, to lift our minds and souls beyond to something higher," said Chaplain (Capt.) David Reinhart, the event organizer, deployed to the 380th AEW from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. "We talk about spiritual health a good deal, but an event like this is one way to help it happen."

In recognition of the varied backgrounds and traditions celebrated by members of the 380th AEW, the luncheon included a Buddhist reading by Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, a Christian reading by Senior Master Sgt. Joseph San Nicolas, and a Latter-day Saints reading by 1st Lt. Robert Jeppesen. Lastly, the U.S. Air Forces Central chaplain, Chaplain (Col.) Dondi Costin, took the floor.

"We live in a world where peace is a fragile thing," Costin said. "Just about the time you think everything is going right in your life, something happens. But it's when that something happens that determines who you are."

No matter your faith or creed, the chaplain emphasized the need to have a positive mental attitude and a balanced perspective. Or as he put it, "Don't worry, be happy."

"Change is a normal part of life," he said. "We will have bad days, but it is our responsibility to figure out how to be resilient enough to get through those days."

The Wilmington, N.C., native continued, describing resilience as "the skill set that allows people to bounce back when they are down." He said it is the ability to be prepared and be in control of your thoughts no matter what comes your way.

Traveling to various deployed locations is one way the chaplain tries to help boost these skills among the more than 28,500 Airmen within the AFCENT area of responsibility.

"The most important thing we can do is spend time with our Airmen and check on their spiritual health and morale," he said. "This is an all-volunteer force filled with men and women who are invested in a cause greater than themselves. Their passion for the mission and the sacrifices they and their families make is inspiring."

The first National Prayer Breakfast was held in 1953 as an opportunity to build relationships and recognize the moral and spiritual values of the nation, and the tradition continues today.

380AEW Article