JAK
By Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Kentucky Army National Guard
[caption id="attachment_1353" align="alignright" width="274" caption="Maj. Bill Draper, 201st Engineer Battalion Chaplain, lends a helping hand to a child in Hohenfels, Germany. Chaplain Draper assisted the Army National Guard Affairs Office by volunteering his time to support children enrolled in the Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (AWANA) program."]
HOHENFELS, Germany – (May 4th, 2010) Kind and soft-spoken, Maj. Bill Draper, 201
st Engineer Battalion Chaplain, is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Whether it’s saying a prayer for the loss of a loved one, giving calling cards to junior enlisted Soldiers in Hohenfels, or volunteering to support community activities abroad, Draper understands the mission of the Kentucky National Guard.
On April 20, 2010, Draper volunteered to support the Army National Guard Affairs Office’s sponsored program called Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (AWANA).
The program strives to support young people within a faith-based environment. The children come together in the Post Chapel on a weekly basis to engage in bible studies and recreational activities.
“It feels really good to know that a positive impact is being made on the children here,” said Draper.
Draper said volcanic activity in Iceland delayed several strong supporters of the program from being present and he felt compelled to assist in such a great cause.
[caption id="attachment_1351" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Maj. Jason Meharg, Operations Officer, Army National Guard Affairs Office, speaks to a group of children during an Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (AWANA) event in Hohenfels, Germany. The AWANA program began in Rammstein, Germany over twenty years ago as an outreach program intended to support children."]
“It’s been a great experience for me,” said Draper. “I can’t wait to go home and tell my family about helping the young children in Germany.”
“The most rewarding part of this experience has been a personal satisfaction gained by helping young people”, he said.