Capt. Lyndon Jong is now deployed in Afghanistan with the United States Army’s 3rd Infantry Division as an expeditionary Catholic chaplain.

Jong is a Negrense Catholic chaplain of the US 3rd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia. He said he and his assistant are now touring in the frontlines of southern Afghanistan to provide spiritual guidance to US soldiers under his unit.

“Life is good, except for the frequent rocket attacks”, Jong said in a text message sent to this reporter.

Attackers dressed as Afghan police and US Army uniforms killed four coalition troops early Sunday in southern Afghanistan, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization International Security Assistance Force said.

The unit of Jong, which is commanded by Major General Robert Abrams, is stationed in southern Afghanistan.

The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying the strike was in response to the anti-Islam film that is stoking anger across the Muslim world.

Before leaving from the US almost a month ago, Jong led several couples through a “Coin & Covenant” ceremony, with each spouse taking time to complete a commitment form, pledging their loyalty and fidelity during the other’s absence.

Each spouse wore half of a coin that had been split in two. One side of the coin is half of the 3rd ID patch, while, the other side is half a heart.

Before he joined the US Armed Forces, Jong also served as chaplain of the Army’s elite Special Operations Command, and at the same time as Civil Military Operations officer. He also used to be the parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental.*GPB

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