Veterans Day brings thanks for those who served country, faith

Veterans Day is Nov. 11

Deacon Bob Quinnett has spent most of his life being exposed to the military and Catholicism.

Not an easy or smooth path, yet rewarding.

“Many Christian soldiers are technically in the business of killing,” he said reflecting on Veteran’s Day. “They must wrestle with the Fifth Commandment. I had to read and often reflect on the Church teachings on ‘just wars,’ ‘proportionality,’ ‘conscience’ and ‘morality.’

“I think my faith shaped how I served. The Lord was forming me.”

Each of his parents were Catholic, and he also was brought up in a Catholic Army family. This meant the family moved a great deal – eight major moves as a youth, including Japan. His dad’s parents were from Shawnee and Deacon Quinnett was the middle of three children. The family was very close, knew that they were loved by their parents, and they were expected to behave.  

Like many young people, Deacon Quinnett did not always practice his Catholic faith after high school. When he wasn’t practicing his faith, he learned a great deal of humility. Also, as a youth, Deacon Quinnett was critical of everything the government stood for. Yet, he said he got fed up with college after three years, decided to give his country a chance, and enlisted into the Army.

As he matured, his faith deepened and his love for the country increased. He served 4 1/2 years as an enlisted soldier, then 22 years as a third generation Field Artillery Officer. As an officer, he also had to make eight major moves including Germany and Bosnia. His last and most rewarding move was to Fort Sill as Inspector General.  

As an Inspector General, he had to provide impartial oversight and advice to leaders at all levels, along with family members and civilian employees in a wide variety of situations.  

Deacon Quinnett retired from the military after much deliberation and decided, even though it would be a cut in pay, that he would remain at Fort Sill and say “yes” to serving as a deacon in the Church.

When he asked his five-month pregnant wife her thoughts on him becoming a deacon rather than pursuing a full-time job, she replied, “I love it!  Think about all the time you’ll be able to spend with the kids. Will they remember all the things we can buy them, or all the things we can do with them?”  

Deacon Quinnett was ordained on Oct 18, 2013. He and his wife have three children and are now empty nestors. He said he is quite blessed that all his children, including one from a previous marriage, are practicing Catholics.  

Deacon Quinnett while at Fort Sill started Advanced Spiritual Fitness with soldiers in Advanced Individual Training (AIT). They met once a week for Vespers in the Blessed Sacrament room of the chapel followed by training to serve as ushers, altar servers and lectors. 

“Soldiers in AIT were with me on the average of only five weeks, while basic trainees were with me for nine weeks,” he said. “Over the 15 years, tens of thousands attended Spiritual and Advanced Spiritual Fitness.

“I think being a veteran helps me use my faith to help other veterans. Because the Lawton-Fort Sill community is a military-transient community, I frequently prepare military members for marriage and Christian initiation. It’s easy for me to relate to them, accommodate their situations of time, location, and disruption, and to give advice when asked or warranted.

“I support the Saint Barbara’s Catholic Military Community and basic trainees at Mass twice a month on post. When asked to preach, I think my military experiences help me connect well. My military experiences specifically help me move and instruct hundreds of soldiers quickly, efficiently, and with few words. Soldiers always rise to the occasion.”

For the past 18 months, Father Azubuike Igwegbe has served as a military chaplain at Fort Sill.  

Father Igwegbe said of Deacon Quinnett, “He really understands his role as an assistant and will do anything to help. He really understands the needs for soldiers to connect to God and the faith. Finally, he really knows the military system and what the experience the soldier is going through. He is a wonderful resource.”

Deacon Quinnett advises everyone to remember on Veterans Day to honor present and past service men and women

“Besides pray for them, maybe just meet them where they are and love them. Just as we should everyone else,” Deacon Quinnett said.

As for young people not in service, Deacon Quinnett adds, “In all circumstances give thanks to God and always know that, in all situations, the Lord your God is with you. So, rejoice! I say again, rejoice!”

Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photo: Dcn. Bob Quinnett is a veteran and serves at Bl. Sacrament Catholic Church in Lawton and helps the Fort Sill community. Photo provided.