Vernon Army Reservist Receives 'Chaplain of the Year' Award

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep Scott Garrett (NJ-05) honored Vernon native and 2011 Chaplain of the Year award recipient Chaplain (Capt.) Karen A. Hallett with a speech on the House floor and a recommendation to lead the House of Representative’s opening prayer on February 1, 2012.

“Chaplain Hallett’s selfless commitment to the spiritual needs of others while serving her country is truly inspiring,” said Garrett after meeting with Hallett on the House floor. “It was an honor to recommend the 2011 Chaplain  of the Year, and New Jersey native, to deliver the Opening Prayer in the House of Representatives this morning.  May God continue to guide her as she provides strength and hope to the men and women serving in defense of our country."      

A West Point graduate, Chaplain Hallett serves with the Army Reserve’s 411th Engineer Brigade.  She was honored as the 2011 Chaplain of the Year during the Reserve Officer Association's National Security Symposium Convention in Washington, DC on Jan. 30, 2012. 

Click here to watch Chaplain Hallett’s opening prayer and Rep. Garrett’s floor speech.

Below is the complete text of Rep. Garrett’s floor speech:

“Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today in recognition of Chaplain Karen Hallett being selected as the 2012 Reserve Officers Association Chaplain of the Year.

“Chaplain Hallett enlisted in the Army in 1983 and completed Basic Combat Training right outside of my district in Fort Dix, New Jersey.  In 1988, after graduating from West Point, Chaplain Hallett was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Ordinance Corps.  After completing her enlistment obligation, Chaplain Hallett spent the next eighteen years in the civilian sector successfully managing businesses while remaining engaged in full-time ministry.  After finishing her Master of Divinity Degree at Bethel “Seminary, Chaplain Hallett returned to military service in 2009 as a Captain in the United States Army Reserves, to serve as a Chaplain. 

“Chaplain Hallet, a resident of Vernon, New Jersey currently serves the 411th Engineer Brigade as the Brigade chaplain.  Through her more than twenty years of ministerial and missionary experience and for her military service to our country, Chaplain Hallett has been a true asset to our community and her tireless work has not gone unnoticed.

“Once again I congratulate Chaplain Hallett on receiving this much deserved recognition as Chaplain of the Year.”  

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