Penning Air Force memoirs with music launches record deal for chaplain

Published July 31, 2009
By Chrissy Cuttita
Team Eglin Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- From early childhood, Eglin's Catholic chaplain valued three things in life: service, worship and song.

Within a few months, all three will culminate in a lifetime opportunity to record 14 songs, created by himself, that reflect on decades of service to God and country, many of which he wrote himself.

"I love being able to serve those who serve our country and I have pride in both 'uniforms'," said Chaplain (Maj.) Ken Beale. "There is an enthusiastic energy around the military community, a sense of dedication to service and an appreciation for God."

In second grade he said he heard God's calling to be a priest and would often role play celebrating the Mass with his grandmother. In order to fulfill his destiny, Chaplain Beale applied for and was accepted into the College Preparatory Seminary then college seminary followed by his graduate studies in theology.

In March 1988, Chaplain Beale entered military service in the Air Force's Chaplain Candidate program, the Military Archdiocese's co-sponsorship program which was in its first years of development. His grandfather and father served in the military so he said he grew up with a sense of service.

"He is amazing - an extremely talented musician, singer and composer," said Chaplain (Col.) Brian Hunter, 96th Air Base Wing senior chaplain. "I've never known an Air Force chaplain that has that kind of creativity and talent. He has a way of touching you spiritually because a lot of his lyrics reflect the pain and emotions of people to whom he has ministered."

Since 1996, the priest has deployed nine times and each experience inspired lyrics he'd sing in small settings, sometimes strumming a guitar or dancing his fingers on piano keys. It was a hobby he taught himself, which he uses to reflect on life and experienced tragedies that tugged at heart strings.

Watching young adults race out of the dorm wearing civilian clothes and dragging blankets as glass shattered when a truck bomb exploded during the June 25, 1996, attack in Saudi Arabia had a lasting impact, said Chaplain Beale.

"(The terrorist bombing) of Khobar Towers was an eye opening moment where I clearly understood what my role (as chaplain) was in the Air Force - it was abundantly clear," he said. "There were 19 service members killed in action and hundreds wounded. What leadership said they needed most was a priest."

Songs like "Send us your Spirit" were created out of witnessing the attack at Khobar, an attack that he felt showed America was no longer dealing with Cold War warfare.

"I was prepared and trained, but it was a grave loss. We were all trying to deal with it and, at the same time, I had to perform service to hundreds of others traumatized," the priest said.

Chaplain Beale is also reminded of peace in a time of war when he looks at a photo of himself published in Stars and Stripes with a Muslim boy resting comfortably his shoulder.

"The boy represented God's trust and gentleness," he said. "For three years in a row I deployed to Bosnia and the same people remained in the same refugee camp. All of them were Muslim families who had relatives killed in the conflict. The picture is of a child who came up to me while I was watching them play soccer.'

Out of this experience comes a song that reads, "Teach me Lord to pray, hold me in your arms and come protect your child."

Although Chaplain Beale is Catholic, serving in the military requires personnel in this career field to provide for the spiritual needs of all people. During what he called the "worst time in Baghdad," the priest created a center of hope inside one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces. The formal entry way was used as a prayer space for Jews, Muslims and Christians.

"We were under attack on a daily basis and that really makes you think of life and death," said the priest who remembers mortar rounds contributing to many sleepless nights in the 2004 deployment. "Love and compassion is beneficial for all."

Eglin had an opportunity to hear Chaplain Beale perform one of his songs when Vince Ambrosetti, a renowned Catholic performer, gave the priest a spot in his set during his performance and mission here. The two first met each other at Chaplain Beale's first seminary residency at a parish in Annapolis, Md., 23 years ago. After being reunited, Ambrosetti invited the priest to his recording company in Tennessee and be signed.

"I don't know what the future holds but I could see his name in Catholic hymnals," said Chaplain Hunter who thinks the down-to-earth priest could write a song in 30 minutes.

Recently, while on leave in Nashville, the chaplain's dreams of being a recording artist became reality when he stepped into his friend's studio to record.

"My music extends to a Christian audience and I think everyone will appreciate it," said Chaplain Beale whose voice recordings will be digitally layered with piano and other instruments on the upcoming album titled "Were You There." "I think they'll feel the passion and I'm happy to finally get my music out there."

Another benefit the priest hopes the album will produce will be as a medium to help others hear the call to serve God and country, awakening the vocations that may be trying to call the Eglin chapel community and beyond.

But even with all the musical opportunities that could come, Chaplain Beale said he'll remain enthusiastic and committed to serve as a visible reminder of the Holy to those who serve our nation.