Chaplain builds bridges with smiles by children in need

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  A chaplain has a rewarding but often difficult role on a military installation. The danger their flock has, or may have to face, is prevalent in the minds of his community most days, and a strong chaplain can be a lifeline to any service member, regardless of their religious beliefs.

"My role is to help provide spiritual care, encouragement and support for our Airmen and their families," said Maj. Randy Croft, 100th Air Refueling Wing deputy wing chaplain from Walla Walla, Washington. "This includes providing services so they can exercise their constitutional right of free exercise of religion. But it also includes building strong and healthy Airmen and families through family retreats, marriage events, single's events and counseling. We are chaplains for all, pastors to some. I'm a Protestant Christian, from a non-denominational flavor, but I can also help provide support and services to Airmen no matter what their dog tag says. In areas where we, as chaplains, can't provide support, we will refer to other resources to assist someone in need."

Croft enjoys helping all Airmen and their families where he can.

"I love getting to know Airmen, walking out in the units, visiting with Airmen and getting to know what they do. I also love helping them if they are struggling with issues such as parenting, or marriage issues," Croft added. "If they have spiritual interests, I enjoy helping them get stronger in those areas too."

Croft finds his job rewarding, but at times challenging when a military career means the worst can happen, the chaplains are there to serve their community in the darkest times.

"The most challenging thing I have dealt with since I have been in the military is dealing with death notifications and the ensuing grief," the Washington native reflected. "We will accompany a commander and a medical technician to notify a relative that their loved one has just died. That's hard to see and hard to experience. But we walk with them through the valley of the shadow of death. We try to comfort those who are hurting."

It's the hope of doing good in a hard situation that led him to use a childhood hobby to bring something as simple as a smile to replace a tear -- a smile that knows no bounds and no border.

As a child, Croft took up something he thought might be useful in helping the sick or suffering -- he became a ventriloquist. Initially, it was for entertainment but he had no idea the joy it could bring to others later in his life.

When asked about his hobby as a ventriloquist, Croft looked back fondly to his childhood.

"You mean playing with dolls?" the deputy chaplain laughed. "I've tinkered with ventriloquism since I was in third grade, so for over 30 years. I saw 'The Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy Show' on TV and I liked how this puppet was talking. So I asked my mother, 'Hey, I'd love to get one of these for my birthday.' However I got an electric blanket instead and threw a fit, so I spent the birthday in my room for it. But that Christmas I got one!"

Croft knew with hard work and practice, he could accomplish his goal and enjoy the rewards.

"I just went to the library and read a book, learned how to make the sounds without moving my lips and started doing puppet shows. And it grew from that," he said. "It's been a fun hobby."

This hobby enabled him to reach out to people he may otherwise not have been able to connect with due to language barriers. As a father, he is able to communicate with children who speak his language, but it was his puppet that enabled him to reach further.

"I like making kids laugh," Croft explained. "I'm a dad of three kids and I enjoy seeing them smile. Laughter can be a universal bridge builder. Years ago, my wife and I went to Russia on a month-long mission trip and were able to reach children from an orphanage and a local hospital. At the hospital, we went to an oncology wing, where kids were fighting against cancer."

He saw an opportunity to reach out using his talents.

"I didn't speak the language so I brought Dexter (the puppet) out to sing a song," Croft explained. "He raised his eyebrows, blinked and laughed, and it was fulfilling to see the children smile and laugh for a moment of time in their difficult daily experience. That was something that really impacted me that day. Even if we don't speak the same language, the smile, the laughter is something that builds bridges."

Croft uses his hobby that he learned all those years ago to help others by providing entertainment at some church events.