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Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, soldiers, leaders, we are gathered here today to honor the life of and pay respect to PFC Makayela Chagolla.

As a tradition it is customary to reflect on the individual‘s life and legacy during times such as this. I can tell you that this is very easy to do when it comes down to PFC Chagolla as everything that she did was very rememberable

In fact, I remember the first time that I met her. It was during her in processing. She walked into my office stared at me as if to size me up. She put her hand on hip, cocked her head sideways, then proceeded to say, “So you’re the chaplain?”

I simply smiled and told her to have a seat. I knew from then on out this was going to be a unique relationship between her and I.

For those of us that knew her best, I think we would all agree, she was a ball of energy, one that always spoke her mind, and one that had a real passion for everything she did.

This was no more apparent as one of my fondest memories is when she attended one of my Bible studies. I remember we were discussing the divinity of Christ, a topic most know very little about. To my surprise she began to debate me on various points of view when it came down to proper theology. I remember smiling and thinking to myself, I’m gonna have to do my homework from now on if she keeps coming. For the first time since I have been a chaplain I had a soldier argue intelligently about different points of view when it came to the Bible. Needless to say, she knew the Word of God better than most and I truly enjoyed her company. She was ambitious, tenacious, and passionate; all qualities of someone you can count on.

I can honestly say that I am not the only one that holds her in such high regards either. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been showered with positive comments and memories as soldiers have come to me, expressing how much they miss her, miss her energy, her spunk, and most importantly her ability to dance at any given moment and for the most random of reasons. She was truly something special and she will be missed.

So then what are we missing, what can we learn from the life of our dear friend? How do we grow as a unit, as a family, as an Army even when faced with such tragedies as this? What do we take away from examining the life PFC Chagolla.

If there is one thing that Makayela prided herself in, it was the obvious ability to be completely authentic. Now I’ll be the first to recognize that this character trait can be both a blessing and curse, however if you find someone that is truly authentic, then you have found someone you can trust and rely one. PFC Chagolla was such a person. Authenticity and the ability to love, character traits that ought to be the envy of each and every one of us and character traits that came natural to Makayela.

As a matter of fact PFC Chagolla argued several times with me about how without authenticity, it is impossible to develop true and meaningful relationships. It can even ben said that relationships are key to unity and growth within any organization, family, or friendship. If we are to ever grow as a unit and as an Army then I think Makayela had a point.

Growth can only come from knowing each other, loving each other, and sharing our lives together. Anyone that has served can tell you, that as a soldier we live together, eat together, deploy together, do life together, and we even die together. With this life style, a natural compassion for those around you

Love

Compassion

The metaphors of masks seems so fitting for today. We all have our masks but sometimes those masks cover up pain that is so deep

Recognizing when to take a knee and ask for help. Even the Lord Jesus Christ took a knee from time to time. This is no more obvious than in Luke 22 and 43 where we see an angel strengthening our Savior as the trials of His life and upcoming persecution became too much to bear.

How many of us bear our burdens alone, suffer in silence, put on a mask of health expecting no one to care or show concern.